COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department has recovered large amounts of jewelry suspected to have been stolen in a recent rash of residential burglaries.

Detectives located items in pawn shops as well as in suspects' homes, said Maj. Ben Wolfinger.

"We've had a lot of tips come in," Wolfinger said after the department announced its progress on Monday. "That's been a big help."

The jewelry was recovered last week, Wolfinger said.

Detectives have been searching for items over the past couple of months, during which nearly 100 burglaries occurred, most during the day.

Before arrests can be made, Wolfinger said, detectives must confirm that the items do belong to victims.

That process can be more painstaking with jewelry than items with serial numbers, he noted.

"They've been able to match some so far, and they're working on it again this morning," he said. "It takes a long time, calling the individuals as they seem to match up the property."

There are multiple suspects, Wolfinger confirmed. He can't reveal at this time how they were tracked down.

Detectives plan to ask for warrants in the near future, as soon as they can lock down a solid case.

Burglary victims do not need to contact the sheriff's department, as detectives will be calling them.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

Wolfinger requested that jewelry owners take photos of their precious items, so in the event of a burglary it will be easier for detectives to match up recovered items.

"Just don't put the picture in the bottom of the jewelry box," he added.