Frequently asked questions:
1. Where is the Property and Evidence Section located?
Property and Evidence is located at 410 N. Waco on the North East corner of Third and Waco. The public entrance is the furthest South door on the West side of the building.
2. What phone number do I call to check on my property?
316-303-8220
3. What phone number do I call to check on an impounded vehicle?
316-303-8222
4. What other agencies within the city limits of Wichita would impound a vehicle?
The Sedgwick County Sheriff Office (phone 316-383-7352) or the Highway Patrol (phone 316-744-0451).
5. What paperwork is needed to claim an impounded vehicle?
Per state law, it is required to have a current registration and photo identification (either a state issued drivers license or a state issued identification card).
6. Can a person remove items from an impounded vehicle without paying the impound fees?
No, but exceptions can be made for the retrieval of photo identification, prescription drugs and legal documents such as social security cards and birth certificates.
7. How do I claim my property after an incident?
If your property is turned in as physical evidence on a case, you will need to call the detective that has been assigned to your case. You can obtain this information through our section at 316-303-8220, WPD records section at 316-268-4186 or the WPD investigations section your particular case has been assigned to.
8. How long does the Police Department hold evidence?
It depends on the type of case. Case law mandates we hold evidence for five (5) years or longer depending on the statue of limitations for the particular criminal offense.
9. How long does the Police Department hold found or personal property?
Per policy and procedure, found and personal property is only held for thirty (30) days. Letters are sent out to owners explaining our procedures.
10. What do I need to claim a bicycle?
You will need photo identification, your WPD report case number or a vivid description of your bicycle and/or serial number.
11. Can a person claim property if they are the finder and turn it in?
Yes. You will have to prove you made a police report and were the finder of the property. Property is held for thirty (30) days before it can be claimed by the finder. Per policy, guns are excluded from being claimed by the finder as all guns are turned in as evidence.
Services Provided:
· Receiving, processing, and storing of property and evidence.
· Identification and return of evidence and property to rightful owners.
· Provide access to evidence for Officers and Detectives for review or criminal trials.
· Maintain and return personal property to prisoners incarcerated in Sedgwick County Jail.
· Return found property to rightful owners.
· Maintain records for vehicles that are impounded by Wichita Police Department.
· Send notifications to owners of impounded vehicles.
Information on the procedures for claiming property and vehicles is listed below. Follow these instructions to retrieve your property or vehicle.
No property will be released without proper photo identification!
· Evidence:
All property taken by members of the Wichita Police Department as evidence will be available for return to the owner after the Property and Evidence Section has received confirmation that the item(s) are no longer needed as evidence.
· Personal Property:
All personal or inmate property must be retrieved within thirty (30) days. After seven (7) days of receiving property, a letter will be sent to both the jail and the inmate’s home address. The inmate will be responsible to give permission for someone other than themselves to pick up their belongings if still incarcerated. A notarized form is available at Property and Evidence. Note: A notary is not available at the Wichita Police Department (including Property & Evidence).
· Found Property:
Found property is only held for thirty (30) days. If we are aware of the owner, a letter will be sent to the last known address.
Procedures for claiming your property
If your property was taken as evidence in a case you will need to obtain a release from the case detective that has been assigned to your case. The case detective will route a release form to our office if your property can be released. Please allow forty-eight (48) hours for this release form to reach our office at 410 N. Waco.
Photo identification (either a state issued drivers license or state issued identification card) is required when you come to our office to retrieve your property. Absolutely no property will be released without proper identification. If you are having someone other than yourself pick up your property, they will need to bring photo identification along with a notarized form (available at Property and Evidence). Note: A notary is not available at the Wichita Police Department (including Property & Evidence).
Claiming Property of Finders Property:
If you are the finder of property you turned over to the Wichita Police Department you can claim the property after thirty (30) days. You will need to provide the police department case number from the incident you reported the property found. Per policy, guns are not able to be claimed.
Procedures for claiming your vehicle
You will need to have a current registration per state law (K.S.A., 8-1103) and photo identification to claim your vehicle. If you are picking up a vehicle that is registered in someone’s name other than yourself, you will need a notarized statement (a form is available at Property and Evidence) from the owner giving you permission to pick up their vehicle plus the current registration. Note: A notary is not available at the Wichita Police Department (including Property & Evidence).
If your vehicle has been involved in a crime and has a hold placed on it, you will need to contact the case detective to obtain a release form. Release forms can be faxed to the tow lot that holds your vehicle.
If you are protesting your impound fees, you will need to contact Municipal Court at 316-268-4629 to set up an impound hearing. You have five (5) business days after your vehicle has been impounded to obtain a hearing.
Impounded Vehicle Complaints (Other than contesting an impound):
Please send a written complaint to:
Property and Evidence
Attn: Joetta Richardson
410 N. Waco
Wichita, Kansas 67202
Or via e-mail to jrichardson@wichita.gov.
Locations of Impounded Auto Lots:
ARROW WRECKER 316-522-8156 – owner: Diane Richardson
531 E. MACARTHUR, 67216
HAPPY HOOKER 316-522-8908 – owner: Mark Yisidro Jr.
3760 ½ S. BROADWAY, 67216
TOW SERVICE 316-522-5353 – owner: Mark Yisidro
3760 S. BROADWAY, 67216
KEN’S AUTO TOW 316-941-4300 – owner: Monte Yisidro
3730 S. BROADWAY, 67216
ACTION WRECKER 316-265-5633 – owner: Mark Pyles
515 ½ E. 21ST ST. N., 67214
AUTO INN 316-262-0465 – owner: Peggy Pyles
515 E. 21ST ST. N., 67214
BUD ROAT TOWING 316-267-2040 – owner: Bud Roat
310 N. HANDLEY, 67203
INTERSTATE 316-269-1133 – owner: Kevin Williams
1028 N. MOSLEY, 67214
SHERIFF’S IMPOUNDS 316-383-7352
HIGHWAY PATROL 316-744-0451
Lot hours to the public are 7 am – 7 pm every day.