Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Orange County Sheriff’s Property/Evidence Detail to receive, document, and safeguard all property and evidence submitted to the custody of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department by maintaining the integrity and security of all items of property and evidence that we are entrusted with.

Property Pick-up Information & Hours

Release of property is by appointment only, to schedule an appointment call 714-834-6482 Monday - Friday 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Click Here for Directions

Overview

The Property/Evidence Detail has the responsibility of receiving, documenting, storing and maintaining the integrity and security of all items of property and evidence submitted by the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner's Department, the Orange County District Attorney's Office, the Public Administrator's Office, and the Orange County Probation Department. The Property/Evidence Detail manages four different facilities, which maintain custody and control of over 137,106 items of property and evidence, including 2,577 firearms, 125 bicycles, 80 vehicles, 1,059 cases involving seized currency, and over 21,755 cases involving seized narcotics.

The Detail presently consists of one sergeant, six budgeted Sheriff Special Officer positions, two Legal Property Technician positions, one Office Technician, five Extra Help positions, and two Sheriff Cadet positions. The annual budget for FY 07-08 is $1.078,135.00, which includes the cost of maintaining two offsite warehouses to augment the needs of the department. The Detail maintains property/evidence storage lockers at the following Sheriff-Coroner facilities; Brad Gates Forensic Science Building (320 N. Flower St., S.A.), Stanton Station (11100 Cedar St., Stanton), John Wayne Airport (18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana), Aliso Viejo Station (11 Journey, Aliso Viejo), and the San Clemente Station (100 Av. Presidio, San Clemente).

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has received recognition for the proficient and efficient manner in which the Property/Evidence Detail is operated. Credit is partially due to the use of a recently created software program designed by the Sheriff's Department named Property/Evidence Automated Booking Information Tracking System (P.E.A.B.I.T.S.). This software program, with the use of bar codes and scanners, allows staff to easily scan, track and locate items as they are moved from different storage locations.

In addition to receiving and maintaining control of these items, Property/Evidence staff has the responsibility of monitoring and arranging disposition of each item as soon as possible. Items are released to the lawful owner, converted to department use, donated to local charities, scheduled for destruction, or sold to the general public through the General Auction and Property Bureau. Property Bureau is the leading Internet Auction Services Company serving law enforcement in the United States. The Property/Evidence Detail also stores department surplus, and coordinates the disposition of these items through the General Auction process.

The destruction of all narcotics, weapons, and other contraband is accomplished in accordance with all Federal, State, and County laws. The Orange County Sheriff's Department has not only chosen to select a method that is ecologically safe, but is beneficial to the community.

Narcotics are burned at an undisclosed location with a system that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The steam generated from burning the contraband along with other materials is used to drive a turbine-generator producing electricity, which is sold to Southern California Edison to provide electricity to Southern California.

All firearms and other scrap metals are processed at a steel mill that recycles metals into reinforcing bar (rebar) used in the construction of buildings, freeways, bridges, parking garages and other concrete structures throughout the Western United States.

In 2007, the Orange County Sheriff's Department destroyed 10,352 lbs. of controlled substances, with a street value of 204 million dollars. The Department also had 491 firearms and other miscellaneous weapons with a gross weight of 2,220 lbs. of metals recycled into rebar.

In 2001, a new partnership was established with Property Bureau (PropertyRoom.com), which operates under a different principle than the normal general auction process. Property Bureau takes the time to appraise jewelry, computers, and other property prior to conducting auctions via the internet. Valued items are sold separately to generate the largest revenue possible. In 2007, the Sheriff's Department generated $35,896.00 in revenue from Property Bureau, which is double the revenue generated in the past from the normal general auction process.

Public Forms

• Law Enforcement Gun Release Application
• Sample Order Regarding Transfer of Firearms
• County Claim for Money or Damages Form

Public Information

Who notifies me if the Sheriff's Department is holding my property?

It is the officer's responsibility to attempt to locate and notify owners. Generally, when property is seized as evidence or safekeeping, a receipt or business card will be left with the person it was taken from. This receipt or business card will contain the Sheriff's case number, and you will need this number when you contact the Sheriff's Property/Evidence Detail.

What are the criteria for retrieving my property from the Property/Evidence Detail?

Case Number: You must first have the case number (or DR #) that is assigned to your property.

Evidence: If the property was seized as evidence, the investigator assigned to the case must sign a release saying that you may pick up the item(s). Only the person listed as the owner of the property is authorized to pick the item(s) up. If the owner is hospitalized or otherwise incapacitated, a power of attorney form will be necessary. Valid photo identification must be presented in order to receive the item(s).

Weapons: Prior to making an appointment to have a firearm released to you, you must first obtain a Personal Firearms Eligibility Check (PFEC) with the California Department of Justice. Keep in mind that once you receive the clearance letter allowing you to possess a firearm, you will have 30 days from the date on the letter to make your appointment and to pick the firearm(s) up.

You may find the application for the PFEC, the cost to run the background check, and other answers to frequently asked questions dealing with the release of firearms at the following DOJ Link: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pfecfaqs.html

Download The Law Enforcement Gun Release Application.

• Felony conviction of any code.
• Person under indictment or court information: includes any court under which a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year may be prosecuted.
• Persons adjudged a ward of the juvenile court as a result of committing offenses listed under WI 707(b) or CPC 1203.073 until the age of 30.
• Probation restrictions prohibiting the possession of firearms. Restraining orders prohibiting possession of firearms.
• Persons who are addicted to drugs (CPC 12021).
• Person who is a minor.
• Misdemeanor convictions of the following Sections prohibit the possession of firearms for a period of 10 years from the date of conviction.

Penal Codes

• 71 240 273.5 12024
• 76 241 273.6 2034(b)
• 136.1 242 417 12034(d)
• 136.5 243 417.1 12040
• 140 244.5 417.2 12072(b)
• 148(d) 245 417.6 12072(g)(3)
• 171(b) 245.5 422 12100(a)
• 171(c) 246 626.9 12220
• 171(d) 246.3 646.9 12320
• 186.28 247 12023 12590

Welfare and Institutions Codes

• 871.5 8101 1001.5
• 8100 8103 5150

Safekeeping: Peace officers have the authority under CPC 12028.5 to temporarily take into custody firearms or other deadly weapons at the scene of domestic violence. No firearm or other deadly weapon shall be held less than 48 hours.

If the weapon is not retained as evidence to a criminal proceeding, the weapon shall be made available 48 hours after the seizure or as soon thereafter as possible, but no later than 5 business days after the seizure.

How long does the Sheriff's Department hold property taken for safekeeping?

Section 2080.10 (b) of the California Civil Code states that property taken for temporary safekeeping must be claimed within 60 days after the public agency obtains possession or the property will be disposed of in accordance with the disposal provisions of this article. It is the policy of the Orange County Sheriff's Department to retain all property taken for safekeeping for an additional 30 days prior to scheduling the property for disposal.

If the department was unable to make notification to the owner of the property, or if the owner provides written notification that they are in custody and unable to pick up the property or have an authorized person retrieve the property, the property will be retained no longer than 12 months. It will then be scheduled for disposal.

How long does the Sheriff's Department hold found property?

California Civil Code requires the Sheriff's Department to retain found property for a minimum of 90 days, after which such property may be sold at public auction. It is the policy of the Orange County Sheriff's Department to retain all found property for an additional 30 days prior to scheduling the property for disposal.

How can I turn in found property to the Sheriff's Department?

You can telephone the Orange County Sheriff's Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and a deputy will be dispatched to your residence or place of business within County jurisdiction. The deputy will take a written report, and take possession of the property. The property is then placed in a property/evidence locker until it can be transferred to the Central Property/Evidence Office in Santa Ana.

To contact the Sheriff's Department, please call the following business telephone numbers. Do NOT call 911.

• South Orange County, (949) 770-6011.
• North Orange County, (714) 647-7000.

Am I required to turn in found property?

Section 2080 of the California Civil Code states that any person who finds a thing lost is not bound to take charge of it, unless the person is otherwise required to do so by contract or law, but when the person does take charge of it he or she is thenceforward a depositary for the owner, with the rights and obligations of a depositary for hire. Any person that finds and takes possession of any money, goods, or other material things, shall within a reasonable amount of time, inform the owner, if known, and make restitution without compensation.

Section 2080.1(a) of the California Civil Code states that if the owner is unknown or has not claimed the property, the person shall, if the property is of the value of one hundred dollars ($100) or more, within a reasonable amount of time, turn the property over to the police department of the city or city and county it was found, or the sheriff's department of the county if found outside of city limits, and shall make an affidavit, stating when and where he or she found or saved the property.

How can I claim property, which I have turned into the Sheriff's Department?

Section 2080.3(a) of the California Civil Code states that if the reported value of the property is two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more, and no owner appears and proves his ownership of the property within 90 days, the Sheriff's Department shall call notice of the property to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation. If, after seven days following the first publication of the notice, no owner appears and proves his ownership of the property and the person who found or saved the property pays the cost of the publication, the title shall vest in the person who found or saved the property unless the property was found in the course of employment by an employee of any public agency, in which case the property shall be sold at public auction.

(b) If the reported value of the property is less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), and no owner appears and proves his or her ownership of the property within 90 days, the title shall vest in the person who found or saved the property, unless the property was found in the course of employment by an employee of any public agency, in which case the property shall be sold at public auction.

Note: For Sections 2080.3(a) and 2080.3(b) to be applicable and for title to be vested in the person who found or saved the property, he or she must sign the affidavit on the back of the Found Property Report Form when the deputy takes possession of the property. Refusal to sign the affidavit at the time the property is turned over to the Sheriff's Department shall be deemed the intention of the finder to abandon title to the found property when such title should vest to the finder.

If no owner appears to prove his ownership of the property and the finder fails to claim the property within 23 days after the 97 day holding period (value $250 or over) or within 30 days after the 90 day holding period (value under $250), or the finder refuses to pay all reasonable charges, then title to the property shall not vest in the finder and the property shall be processed as unclaimed property.

If I feel that I have met the criteria to have my property released, what do I need to do?

The Sheriff's Property/Evidence Detail is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be reached by calling (714) 834-6482. You will need to call and make an appointment to arrange the release of property to you. Appointments are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the morning and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.

Property is only released by appointment due to some items being located at other locations. This will provide staff with the time to transfer the property to the main office in Santa Ana. Our main office is located at the Brad Gates Forensic Science Building at 320 N. Flower Street in the City of Santa Ana. Directions

Are bicycles also available through the auction?

Yes, bicycles can be found through on PropertyRoom.com.

Property and Evidence Detail is Located At:
320 N. Flower St.
Santa Ana, CA 92703