McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- An Oregon police department has taken a new approach at apprehending hit-and-run drivers by working with seven area body shops.

Officers from the McMinnville Police Department said they've had a difficult time solving hit-and-run crashes over the past few years. But police now have established a relationship allowing them direct access to the city's body shops.

When police search for a vehicle believed to be involved in a hit-and-run, the officer fills out an electronic form describing the suspect's car damage. It is then sent to the shops via e-mail.

"If those characteristics match up and the fella goes, 'Hey, look at this. It looks like it matches up with our collision.' We can go out and look at that vehicle," said Officer Steve Macartney.

Roger Flower, who owns the J & W Carstar shop, said his shop services a handful of hit-and-run victims on a weekly basis. He said hit-and-run cases make for major headaches for the victim.

"They're just mad," Flower said. "They're mad that they came out (of the store) and found their car hit."

Flower hopes the Police Department's renewed effort to find the culprits will cut down on insurance costs. He said taking part in the police program was an easy decision.

"It makes me glad to see they're actually catching somebody because we see it all the time," he said.

So far, Macartney said, the program is working and the body shops have pitched in to help.

"They're able to provide us with similar vehicles so we can go out and check them out," he said

McMinnville police hope to expand the program to other nearby jurisdictions.

McMinnville Police Using Hit-And-Run ID Program