Houston Police Department
Burglary and Theft Division
Precious Metals Unit
Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee
Meeting Presentation
August 28, 2012
Issue/Problem
Precious Metals Value – Last 10 years
674% increase in gold
1000% increase in silver
High End Burglaries
Over 4,800 burglaries of $10,000 or more in stolen
precious metals, stones, gems, or jewelry (July ‘10 –
June ‘11) *
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Trends in Jewelry Crime
2007 Monetary Loss of Jewelry Related Crime
$21,512,228
2011 Monetary Loss of Jewelry Related Crime
$41,165,888
Close to 100% increase in 4 years.
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Precious Metals Unit Goals
Conduct Inspections
Ensure the businesses are recording, reporting and
holding property correctly per current law and
complying.
Offer assistance and knowledge to other
investigative divisions when called upon.
Liaison between the business community and law
enforcement to establish healthy working
relationships.
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Precious Metals Unit Goals
Revise current city ordinance to assist law enforcement
in tracking stolen crafted precious metals.
Educate precious metals dealers on state law, current
city ordinance and proposed changes to city ordinance.
Training officers and businesses on how to use
Electronic Web Based Reporting System.
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Community Involvement/Public Education:
Informing the citizens about ways to make their
valuables easier to identify.
Jewelry Appraisal
Etching Identifiers in the jewelry
Taking Photos of the jewelry
Using a web based inventory system
(www.leadsonline.com)
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Business Education
Reviewing the existing laws with businesses:
Texas State Law
Houston City Municipal Code
Business Association Meetings:
Disseminating information
Gaining feedback
Listening to concerns
Fostering a working relationship with Secondhand
Precious Metals Dealers in the City of Houston.
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Two Permits Required
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State Law Requirements
Texas Administrative Code, Title 7, Part 5, Chapter 85, Subchapter B,
Division 2, Rule 85.2001
…..dealer must prepare a transaction report form…..
Including the date of purchase
Including the name and address of the dealer's
business location;
Including the name and address where the dealer
purchased the precious metal;
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Reporting Requirements (Cont.)
The dealer's registration number;
The full name of the seller, as listed on the seller's
driver's license
A physical description of the seller to include:
(A) date of birth; (B) height; (C) eye color;
(D) gender;
The seller’s address at the time of the transaction;
The seller's driver's license number
A description of the crafted precious metal purchased
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Precious Metals Unit Recommends:
A clear photocopy or digital photograph of all
items purchased by the dealer;
Web-based reporting
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Web Based Reporting System
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Proposed Changes to Municipal
Ordinance
Hold period for records. Change from 2 years to
3 years to match state law.
Time period to report to police. Change from
no mention in ordinance to daily.
Electronic reporting. Change from reporting by
mail to electronic reporting.
Pay by check. Change from no mention in
ordinance to pay by check.
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Proposed Changes to Municipal
Ordinance
Expand definition of crafted precious metals.
Change from Gold, Silver, or Platinum to Gold,
Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Iridium, Rhodium,
Osmium, Ruthenium, or an alloy of those
metals.
Thumb print. Change from no mention in
ordinance to a clear thumb print of the seller.
Digital photograph of jewelry. Change from no
mention in ordinance to a clear digital image of
the Jewelry.
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Proposed Changes to Municipal
Ordinance
Digital photograph of seller. Change from no
mention in ordinance to a clear digital image of
the seller.
Temporary dealer requirements. Change from
no specific mention in ordinance to….
Must be licensed by the jurisdiction where the
permanent business is located and address must be
visible on the license.
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Proposed Changes to Municipal
Ordinance
A copy of this license is to be submitted to COH
with the business application for a temporary license.
Temporary dealer displays all applicable license
numbers on all advertisements.
License numbers on advertisements. Change
from no mention in ordinance to … must
provide all applicable and valid city and state
license numbers….
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Proposed Changes to Municipal
Ordinance
Move Crafted Precious Metals Section. Move
from Article II to it’s own section in Article IV.
Add “purchase” to Sections…
Definition: …offering of used items for sale,
“purchase”, or trade…
Penalty for Violations: …owner/operator/person
permits the sale or “purchase” of any goods…
License fees: Any dealer described herein who
desires to sell or “purchase” items at shows…
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Dealer Committee Members
Harold Reese, Owner
Harold Reese Jewelry
Dominic Rodriguez, Owner
Gold Rush
Jose Rodriguez
Sam Rodriguez
The Goldmine Gold, Silver, and Jewelry
Buyers
Houston Gold Merchants
H.R. “Bob" Sandler, Owner
Designer Jewels inc
Brad Schweiss, Owner
Houston Gold Exchange
Steven Silver, Owner
Jewelry Appraisal Services
Rex Solomon, President
Houston Jewelry
Connie Stagner, Owner
Billy Stagner, Owner
Acori Diamonds and Design
Juan Tavarez, Owner
GSS (Gold Simple Secure)
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Dealer Committee Members
David Baker, President
Global Stone and Metal
Rick Crumly, Owner
ITB
Amelia Culwell, Owner
Gold & Silver Buyers
Scott Dekilder, Owner/manager
Alpha Gold Services
Aron Frank, Owner
Amco Jewelry Co, inc
Veronica Guajardo
Aztec Gold & Silver Buyers
Amber Gustafsa, Owner
Ambersdesigns.com
David Harleston
Royal Coin
Hal Martin, Owner
Hal Martin's
Bruce A. Pollak, Owner
Houston Estate Jewelry Liquidators
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