Web Tips

Auction sites are all the rage on the Internet these days. But your police department may be running its own, selling unclaimed stolen property.

The site calls itself Property Room and its motto is “Steal it Back” -- as in, get a good deal. 

The site is run by former police officers from California and works as an online auction service for about 100 police departments from around the country that want to clear out their overflowing evidence rooms. 

Goods sold on the site range from car parts to computers. There’s lots of jewelry, appliances and tools and stuff seized by police from burglars and criminals. The property has gone unclaimed and is ready to be disposed.

So the goods are now put up for sale, online. You register, make a bid, and -- just like most any auction site -- try to get your best deal.

The site splits the proceeds with the departments, meaning the money eventually gets back to taxpayers. And you might recognize one of the names behind the site… Daryl Gates, the former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, is a senior advisor for the site.