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Posted: 11 Feb 2011 07:23 AM PST

Retail jewelers in Rome will now have to keep detailed records on those who sell them gold and silver, just as pawn shops and weekend buyers are already required to do.

The Common Council voted unanimously Wednesday to establish record keeping for jewelry stores "purchasing gold, silver and other precious and semi-precious metals and stones." The process is meant to help police track stolen goods.

Details to be recorded: Time of purchase; an accurate account and description of what was purchased; name, address and description of seller; and proof of identification. The requirements do not cover purchases from distributors, wholesalers, manufacturers or established suppliers.

The law forbids retailers from buying "gold, silver and other precious and semi-precious metals and stones" from anyone under age 18 without that person's parent or guardian being present.

Pawn shops and buyers who set up in hotels for weekend buying are regulated as second-hand dealers, and already have to record all the data that retailers will now have to keep on file.

Legislation co-sponsor and Public Safety Committee Chair John M. Sparace, R-1, said that the new requirement was suggested by Detective Commander Timothy Bates. "He said that it would be helpful to combat thefts of jewelry if we could have jewelry stores document gold items that they buy from people who come into their stores. Currently, we have pawn shops, gold buyers who obtain permits to sell in local hotels, etc., to document and turn in the information about gold items that they have purchased," he said. "This has helped the police department if they are looking for an item or several pieces that were taken in a theft.

Bates today said, "It's a regular occurrence that we're recovering things. That includes things that are stolen in other cities and other states." Other police agencies will approach Rome's department with requests and investigations can be done using these files, he said.

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