Property & Evidence

Lost or found property, and items seized as evidence during criminal investigations are kept for periods of time mandated by state law, court orders, or local policies and procedures. Appointments with the Property Officer are required for the return of property.

Frequently asked questions

When evidence items are ready to be released, we will make one attempt to notify the owner via mail. Property will be held for 10 days from the date the notification is mailed and if unclaimed, the property will be disposed of or destroyed according to law.

• Felony arrest cases: Items are held for 60 days from the date of sentencing. Items will be disposed of, or destroyed, according to law unless otherwise ordered by the court.
• Misdemeanor arrest cases: Evidence will be held only until the date of sentencing, then items will be disposed of according to law.
• No arrest has been made and/or no suspect identified : Evidence items may be held up to one year or longer depending on the status of the case.
• Safekeeping: Items will be held for 60 days for pick-up by the owner. Items not claimed within 60 days will be disposed of, or destroyed, according to law.
• Found property: Items will be held for 90 days. After 90 days, finders may contact the Property Officer for information on how to claim property.
• Items seized under a search warrant: Contact the Property Officer regarding return of property seized. 1536 P.C. requires a court order to release property held by a search warrant.
• 5150 and 18102 Welfare and Institutions Code: Weapons have been seized pursuant to the law. The city may initiate a petition in the Riverside County Superior Court to determine whether the return of your weapons would result in endangering yourself or others. If the city initiates a petition, you have 30 days to file a written response requesting a hearing date with the court clerk of the Riverside County Superior Court. If you do not respond to the clerk within 30 days, your confiscated weapon will be forfeited. All other property will be disposed of after 90 days.
• Guns: Guns will only be released to the registered owner. The Department of Justice gun release protocol must be followed to obtain release of a weapon. Additionally, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office must approve the release of weapons held in reference to domestic violence incidents. Contact the Property Officer for more information.

Toni Schickel
(951) 461-6382
tschickel@murrieta.org

Sergeant Phil Gomez
(951) 461-6356
pgomez@murrieta.org