Bidding online begins Saturday morning in this year’s Sarnia Police Auction of items collected during investigations, or lost items turned in to police.
Bidding at VanKlaveren Auctions website, vkauctions.ca, starts at 7 am Saturday and continues until 7 pm on Aug. 9.
“All property is based on not having knowledge of who the owners is,” said Insp. Michael VanSickle, with the Sarnia Police Service support services branch.
“This year we have about 300 items in the auction which is a little bit higher than usual,” he said.
“It is a little bit later in the year than we typically do it, which has given us some more time to accumulate items.”
Items include bicycles, tools, electronics, jewelry and coins and collectibles.
“What you’re going to see a lot in our auction this year is brand new property,” typically connected to retail thefts, VanSickle said.
There are situations when retailers don’t want the items back because they no longer can be sold as new products, he said.
But, there may also be situations where police aren’t able to identify which retailer items are from, he said.
“You’re going to see brand new tools” and “a plethora of Yeti” reusable cups and mugs, VanSickle said.
“Typically, all the stuff you see in the auction is used.
“Retail theft is becoming more of an issue and that’s reflected in this auction.”
Bicycles often end up in the auction after they’ve been found in the community and the owner can’t be identified, either because they didn’t report the bike stolen, or ownership can’t be determined, he said.
Serial numbers may have been “defaced” and bikes may be painted a different color after they’ve been stolen, VanSickle said.
Police keep found property for a minimum of 30 days, or 90 days for bicycles or cars, according to legislation, he said.
VanSickle said firearms seized by police are not part of the auction.
Money raised from the auction is used for local police services, as determined by the Sarnia Police Services Board, VanSickle said.
“We expect to make about $10,000,” on average each auction, he said.