The Property and Evidence Unit provides safe storage for all items seized by officers including abandoned property, found property or stolen property. The West Linn Police Department is responsible for establishing policies and procedures which serve to insure property seized from the public is safely, legally and efficiently processed, secured and maintained for admissibility in court, until returned to the owner or otherwise disposed of in accordance with state law. The Property and Evidence Unit exists to process, store and dispose of property, which may constitute evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Unclaimed Property:
Unclaimed property means personal property seized by a police officer as evidence, abandoned property, found property or stolen property, that has remained in the physical possession of the police department for more than 60 days following conclusion of all criminal actions related to the seizure of the evidence, abandoned property, found property or stolen property, or conclusion of the investigation where no criminal action was filed. Unfortunately, some property stored in the Property and Evidence Unit can never be returned to its owner. Property found or recovered with no owner identification ultimately will be destroyed or auctioned unless an owner can be established.
Property Evidence is now using a new online auction service for unclaimed property
http://www.stealitback.com
This service should assist our agency in getting a true value return on items submitted. Another great service of this company is they try to assist victims in getting their property back.
The chances of recovery for a victim of lost or stolen property are greatly increased when their driver license number or identification number, and the state postal code (IE: OR5555555DL) is etched on their property of value. Property marked in this manner is easier to return to owners, and is more difficult to alter.
PROPERTY IS RELEASED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Retrieving Property Held:
Property listed on a property receipt issued to an individual for evidence seized in a crime, found property or stolen property is currently under the protection of the West Linn Police Department. Individuals can call the Property and Evidence Officer at, (503) 655-6214, to inquire about property held and to request an appointment for release. Business hours for release are Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Weapons:
Seized weapons are not automatically returned to individuals. Federal law requires officers run a weapons check before releasing firearms. When a weapon is held for safe- keeping and it involved a suicide or a domestic there will be an automatic 30-day waiting period before the weapon is returned. In the case of first time seizures with no other police history, the weapon may be returned after 48 hours or be disposed of if not claimed within six months. Prior to any weapons being released, a background check will be performed to ascertain your eligibility to receive these weapons.
Evidence:
Individuals can contact the Property and Evidence Officer after adjudication of your case for release information. If your name and your correct address were provided to the officer at the time of the receipt, you should receive a notification letter from the Property and Evidence Officer. If you have items that were seized for forensic testing or fingerprinting, contact the Property and Evidence Officer within 15 days for information about reclaiming those items.
Safekeeping:
Items will be held for an owner no longer than 30 days. After 30 days, the items will be destroyed.
Found or Recovered Stolen:
The Property and Evidence Officer will make every attempt to contact the owner of found or recovered stolen property. If no identifying owner is known the items will be disposed of after 60 days.
