The Gastonia Police Department Property and Evidence Division is responsible for the intake and preservation of evidence that is collected related to investigations conducted within our jurisdiction. Each year the Division receives more than 10,000 items. In addition, we acquire found property that officers come across in their daily activities.
Property and Evidence Division Hours
Property and Evidence Division Hours
200 E Long Ave
Gastonia, NC 28052
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Gastonia, NC 28052
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- All Property is released by appointment ONLY
- Closed Holiday and Weekends
- Telephone number: 704-866-6862
- Citizens will receive a letter from the police department when their property is ready to be returned. When you receive this letter please read it thoroughly and follow the directions provided.
The following is additional information that will help you navigate the retrieval of your property.
As employees of the Gastonia Police Department’s Property and Evidence Division, we can only release property to rightful owners once authorized by the investigator, District Attorney’s Office or a signed Court Order. If you come to the Police Department without authorization for release, we will not be able to return your property.
Things you need to bring
- Government issued picture ID
- Letter you received from the Property and Evidence Division (if you have it)
- Applicable release authorization documentation
Firearms
The firearm return process may take 3-4 weeks to complete. There are several steps to releasing of a firearm(s). Once a firearm is deemed ready to return to owner, the owner will receive a letter indicating the start of the firearm return process. The letter will include instructions to call the Property and Evidence Division. YOU MUST call 704-866-6862, to start the return process before coming to the police department. A Firearm Release appointment must be setup before the release of any firearm. A background check will be conducted on the day of the appointment. A property technician will work with you to make sure all necessary steps have been completed to secure the release of the firearm(s). Firearms will be forfeited/disposed of after thirty (30) days from the date of the first notice in accordance with North Carolina General Statute Sections 15-11.2, 15-12 and 15-13.
Money
Money is only released to an owner once the assigned investigator has associated the money to an authorized owner, and authorization to release is granted by the investigator, District Attorney’s Office or by Court Order. Once the owner receives the letter they should contact the Property and Evidence Division to start the return process. Please be aware that this process can take between 1-2 weeks and only begins once the owner contacts the Property and Evidence Division indicating they want their money returned to them.
FAQs
FAQs
What if I did not receive a letter?
If you feel that you have property in the custody of the Gastonia Police Department Property and Evidence Division that you have a right to and have not received a letter please contact us and we will let you know if we have the property. We will then advise what steps need to be taken to return it to you.
How long will you hold my property?
Once we send you a letter, you have 30 days to contact the Property and Evidence Division indicating that you want your property returned to you. After this period the property is either destroyed, auctioned or traded in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes Sections 15-11.1 et seq.
Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed property is property that is ready to return to the owner but has remained unclaimed for a period of 180 days in accordance with North Carolina General Statute Section 15-11.1.
The state of North Carolina requires that we advertise unclaimed firearms and other articles, except bicycles, for 30 days before disposition. If after reviewing the unclaimed property lists you determine something listed is yours, please call 704-866-6862.
PDFs
