Unclaimed stolen goods are for sale on a website called "property room.com." Police say the proceeds help them fight more crime.
The website helps clean out property rooms in police departments across the country. In turn, police departments clean up the streets...with the money.
The Alamo Heights Police Department is cashing in by posting the property online instead of holding live auctions. They say it saves them time and manpower
"Whether it's a small digital camera, or a computer, we are not using anymore - ultimately, we get a portion back," said Thomas Vitacco, with the Alamo Heights Police Department.
AHPD is also hocking its outdated crime response vehicle. It used to be an ambulance that they converted into a crime resource tool. But, instead of sending it to a scrap yard, they are auctioning it off on the website. In fact, they've already gotten an $8,000 bid.
If a victims sees an item they lost in a crime, we're told the website has provisions to handle those cases.
Alamo Heights police also announced exclusively to Eyewitness News that it is in the running to receive recognition from the Texas Association of Chiefs of Police. On Tuesday, the department will go through its final round in the Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices Recognition Program.
The department has been working diligently to qualify for the honor in the past year. An AHPD spokesperson says if it receives the recognition, it will be the first department in Bexar County with the title. They also say the recognition would promote the department's credibility and professionalism.
