WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY PROPERTY IS LOST OR 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 lost or stolen 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 or click here. As a finder, you may contact the Evidence and Property Section at 90 days to see if the item remains unclaimed; we will advise you of release procedures at that time.

HOW DO I FIND OUT IF THE EL CERRITO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS MY PROPERTY?

Please use our Lost Item Form to inquire about the items you have lost.  Please provide a detailed description of the items so we can easily let you know if we have your item in our repository of Lost and Found. 

Lost property may be claimed at the Public Counter during business hours, or by appointment. To claim property, you must be able to establish ownership. You may do this by providing one of the following:

 1.    Detailed description of the lost property (nomenclature, etc.);

2.    A receipt or bill of sale

3.    The serial and model number

4.    Describing special identifying markings you may have added to the item

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 ID (CA driver license/ID, military ID, or passport) along with your case number. A credit card, social security card, birth certificate, and other non-photo items are not acceptable. If necessary, your Contra Costa County mugshot can be used to identify you. Bring your notification letter/postcard and/or property receipt, if you received one. If there are special circumstances regarding the pickup of your property, please contact our office.

CONTACT AND HOURS

The Evidence and Property Division is located at 10900 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Phone: (510) 215-4438
kringgenberg@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us 

Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (excluding City holidays)