Local Police Down With OPP: Other People's Property Up for Auction

Several local police departments are bringing in extra money by auctioning off the goods left in their evidence rooms. Police auctions have long been a great place to "steal back" some nice loot cheap (plus there's always a chance it has cocaine hidden inside), but a new website, PropertyRoom.com, now...

By Michael J. Mooney

August 23, 2010

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Several local police departments are bringing in extra money by auctioning off the goods left in their evidence rooms. Police auctions have long been a great place to "steal back" some nice loot cheap (plus there's always a chance it has cocaine hidden inside), but a new website, PropertyRoom.com, now allows shoppers from all over the world to bid on the stuff in local police storage lockers. And at least 18 local departments are participating.

A spokesperson for the site explained that there is no way of telling which items on the site came from where, but the sheer gawdiness of some of the things up for sale -- including a giant brown quartz with diamond ring, a bright yellow men's belt, and a giant 14-karat gold chain -- shows a heavy South Florida influence. Some of the other items up for bid this morning were: a Jose Ramirez Flamenco guitar, an original Todd Goldman painting of a turtle, and an old Crown Victoria police car.

According to the site's spokesperson, the local departments working with PropertyRoom.com include:

Boca Raton PD
Boynton Beach PD
The Broward County Sheriff's Office
Coral Springs PD
Fort Lauderdale PD
City of Hallandale Beach PD
Hollywood PD
Jupiter PD
Lauderhill PD
Lighthouse Point PD
Miramar PD
North Palm Beach PD
Palm Bay PD
Plantation PD
Rivera Beach PD
Tamarac PD
Wilton Manors PD

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also works with the auction site.

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