Property-Evidence

The Wilmington Police Department Property and Evidence Unit is responsible for the intake and preservation of evidence that is collected related to investigations conducted within our jurisdiction. In addition, we also catalog and store items of found property that officers come across in their daily activities. On average, the unit takes in more than 10,000 items of new property each year. The Property and Evidence Unit is also responsible for returning property to the rightful owner at the conclusion of an investigation or court proceeding, or otherwise disposing of property in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes.

Public Pickup

Once property has been approved by the case officer or by the courts for release to the owner, the Property & Evidence Unit sends a letter to the owner notifying them to coordinate retrieving their property. The Wilmington Police Department releases property to the public during the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. It is highly recommended that citizens call ahead to ensure the department has custody of the property and that the property has been authorized to be released to the owner. This will help staff confirm that the necessary pre-release work has been completed to help ensure a speedy return process for the owner. Individuals receiving any property from WPD will need to bring photo identification on date of pickup and check in with the front desk prior to going down to property and evidence. Firearms and vehicles require an appointment (detailed below).

Firearm Release

All firearms that are deemed eligible for return to the rightful owner must have an appointment scheduled with the Property & Evidence Unit before the firearm can be released. Having an appointment will help ensure a speedy return process and eliminate unnecessary added wait time for the owner.

A detailed pre-release process must be completed for all firearms returned to the public. The first step of the firearm pre-release process requires the owner to complete and submit an official WPD Questionnaire for Return of Firearms(PDF, 203KB). This form can be obtained in-person by visiting the WPD Front Desk. This questionnaire will help provide all necessary required information for the Property & Evidence Unit staff to run a Federally mandated criminal history to ensure the individual can legally possess a firearm under State and Federal law. Once submitted, a member of the Property & Evidence Unit will contact you if any further action is required beyond the questionnaire.

Once your questionnaire has been reviewed and the firearm has been approved for release, a member of the Property & Evidence Unit will contact you to arrange an appointment for you to retrieve your property. Firearm owners will need to bring photo identification on date of appointment. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Wilmington Police Property & Evidence Unit at 910.343.3642 for further questions or to check the status of a questionnaire.

Vehicle Release

All vehicles held by WPD that are deemed eligible for return to the rightful owner must have an appointment scheduled with the Property & Evidence Unit before the vehicle can be released. Once a vehicle has been authorized by the courts for release to the owner, the Property & Evidence Unit sends a letter to the owner notifying them to coordinate retrieving their vehicle.

Vehicle owners will be required to accompany a member of the Property & Evidence Unit to the storage lot. The owner will be required to provide their own transportation to where the vehicle is and will be responsible for paying any tow costs if the vehicle requires a towing service. In all situations involving vehicle releases, the owner is responsible for all maintenance and mechanical issues involving the release of the vehicle.

In all vehicle releases, a valid Driver’s License must be presented by the owner along with the vehicle’s title information or a valid bill of sale. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Wilmington Police Property & Evidence Unit at 910.343.3642 for further questions on scheduling a vehicle release.

Property Auctions

Unclaimed property that has been seized, confiscated or otherwise received by the agency may be sold as long as the department complies with certain requirements. One of the options outlined in the law is allowing the agency to sell property through an electronic (online) auctioning service. The Wilmington Police Department does not hold on-site public auctions. All property deemed eligible for auction is released by the agency to the online vendor PropertyRoom.com (external website). The Wilmington Police Department encourages citizens to participate in the open and free auctions offered through this online website. Proceeds from the sale of any unclaimed property are paid to the treasurer of the county Board of Education for the benefit of the public schools in New Hanover County.

The Wilmington Police Department does not participate in the actual bidding/auctioning process once the items are released to the vendor. If you have any questions regarding the auction process, please contact the vendor by visiting their website.

Cash Release

All cash balance releases are paid in the form of a City of Wilmington paper check and require an appointment for public pickup. Once a cash balance has been approved by the case officer or by the courts for release to the owner, the owner is sent a letter notifying them of the availability of the money. Once the owner receives their letter, they should contact the Property & Evidence Unit to begin the pre-release process of requesting a check. The process of check creation may take between two and four weeks.

Once your check has been created and approved for release, a member of the Property & Evidence Unit will contact you to arrange an appointment for you to retrieve your check. Individuals retrieving a check will need to bring photo identification on date of appointment.