Frequently Asked Questions

If your property has been lost or stolen, you should file an online report as soon as possible. If you have a record of the serial number on the item(s) or if you have applied your own number, include that in the report. Items that are reported with their serial numbers stand a far better chance of being returned to their owners. An owner has 90 days to claim his/her found property. If you have lost some property and would like to see if it has been turned in, you may contact us by phone. As a finder, you may contact the Evidence and Property Division at 90 days to see if the item remains unclaimed; we will advise you of release procedures at that time.

Owners must pick up any safekeeping and/or personal property items within 90 days of the item coming into our custody (EMC Section 10-163). If you need more time, call or write to request an extension. Unclaimed items, including items belonging to incarcerated persons who have not contacted the Evidence and Property Section, will go to auction or be disposed of.

For all evidence held in which a person has been arrested or cited, we must receive a District Attorney Evidence Release on all defendants, even if the owner of the property was not arrested or his/her part of the case is concluded. In some cases, the District Attorney may not release items immediately, pending further investigation or appeals. On cases which the District Attorney's office did not file charges or the charges were dropped, the Investigation Division will be responsible for the adjudication of all evidence involving criminal cases, with the exception of traffic-related evidence for which the Traffic Division will assume responsibility. Upon closure of the cases and receipt of necessary releases, an owner must pick up his/her property within 90 days (EMC Section 10-163).

In order to be helped in the most efficient manner, please bring your government-issued photo ID, along with your case number. Please note that firearms will not be released without an appointment. Please call 760-839-4740 or email us with any questions.