Burlington police list unclaimed property; deadline for owners Feb 7

The Burlington Police Department issued a legal notice dated Jan. 8 listing a range of unclaimed property currently held by its Evidence Control Unit and instructing owners to submit claims within 30 days. The notice follows previous attempts to reach owners by U.S. Postal Service mail and lays out steps residents must take to reclaim belongings.

Items identified in the notice cover everyday goods and higher-value property: bicycles, clothing, electronics, tools, mopeds, vehicles, wallets, firearms and various miscellaneous items. Owners are required to contact the department to arrange an appointment and bring documentation proving ownership. The 30-day window established by the notice runs through Feb. 7, 2026; residents who believe they have property in custody should act before that deadline.

For Burlington and greater Alamance County residents, the notice matters on multiple levels. For individuals it can mean the difference between recovering a stolen bicycle or a misplaced tablet and losing that item permanently. For owners of motorized property or firearms, there are additional legal steps tied to registration and proof of ownership that must be satisfied before release. The Evidence Control Unit is the municipal repository where recovered and seized items are stored pending administrative or legal resolution, so items that were once part of investigations can end up in long-term custody if not claimed.

The notice reflects routine municipal practice: when property cannot be returned after initial contact, agencies publish public notices to give owners a final opportunity to come forward. Residents who moved without updating addresses, who share housing, or who lend equipment to friends are among those most likely to miss mailed notices. The department's requirement to schedule appointments and present ownership documentation is intended both to verify rightful claims and to maintain chain-of-custody standards for items that may be evidentiary.

If you think the department may be holding something that belongs to you, search personal records for receipts, photos showing serial numbers, titles or other paperwork that can demonstrate ownership. Make arrangements early; appointment slots can fill and the published claim window is finite. For families and landlords, a quick check of shared storage and old communications could save someone the hassle of replacing property.

The takeaway? Don’t assume a mailed notice found you — take a few minutes to check garages, basements and old messages for proof of ownership, then contact the Evidence Control Unit to set an appointment. Our two cents? Act now so you don’t miss the deadline and end up paying to replace something you already own.