Property and Evidence

CONTACT AND HOURS

The Property and Evidence Division is located at 1163 North Centre City Parkway (MAP IT)

Phone: 760-839-4740

Email: policeproperty@escondido.org

 

Property Release Hours are Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Property and Evidence Division is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY PROPERTY IS STOLEN?

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.

 

WHEN CAN I CLAIM MY PROPERTY THAT WAS TAKEN FOR SAFEKEEPING?

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.

 

WHEN CAN I CLAIM MY PROPERTY THAT WAS BOOKED AS EVIDENCE?

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). 

 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING WHEN I COME IN TO PICK UP MY PROPERTY?

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 contact us at policeproperty@escondido.org with any questions.

 

PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE RETENTION POLICY

Homicide

All evidence or property collected in homicide cases will be stored until the defendants are deceased or until 99 years from the date of the incident. Property/evidence may be released, however, if the following conditions are met:

  • All court action involving any suspects must be final and the District Attorney must have approved the release.
  • All persons convicted must have served both their sentence and completed parole.
  • Signed release by a Robbery Homicide Unit Sergeant.

 

Felony

  • In felony cases where there are no suspects or leads, evidence will be maintained for a period no longer than the statute of limitations. After expiration of the statute of limitations, if there are no leads or suspects, the evidence will be disposed. Exception: Sexual Assaults need approval by Family Protective Unit Sergeant.
  • Any felony case whereby the District Attorney sent an Evidence Release to dispose/release evidence prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

 

Misdemeanor

  • In misdemeanor cases evidence will be maintained for two years. After two years the evidence will be disposed.
  • Any misdemeanor case involving property whereby the City Attorney has approved disposal/release of evidence prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

 

Found Property

  • The owner will be given 90 days to prove ownership and claim the property per EMC Section 10-163.

 

Safekeeping

  • Property that is being held for safekeeping shall be returned to the legal owner upon request. Property not claimed within 90 days is to be considered intentionally abandoned by the owner and disposed of per EMC Section 10-163.