Property & Evidence

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The Property and Evidence custodians receive, document, store, and maintain the integrity and security of all property and evidence received by the Cary Police Department.

The Cary Police Department releases property by appointment only Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis. An appointment is required to ensure we have custody of the property and that it has been authorized for release to the owner.

To better assist our staff with locating your property, please follow the link below to schedule your appointment and include as much information as possible. Depending on the case, you may be required to present proof of ownership.

Found Property

In accordance with State law, if the owner of found property cannot be located after 180 days, the finder has the right to claim the property (with the exception of weapons and drugs). If no claim is made the property will be auctioned, with the exception of:

Weapons and drugs, which are destroyed
Bicycles, which are donated to an appropriate charitable organization after 30 days
Money, which is given to the Wake County Public Schools

To inquire about your property, please contact our Evidence Custodians by using the Contact Information tab listed below.

To better assist our staff with locating your property, please include your name, date of birth, phone number and case number in your message. Depending on the case you may be asked to provide proof of ownership.

Releasing Evidence

Items held as evidence will be retained until the case has received a final disposition by the court. If you believe your case has been resolved and have questions about your property, please contact the assigned case officer.

All items held as evidence require an original court order signed by both the appropriate District Attorney and Judge to be eligible for release to the rightful owner. If you or your attorney have independently obtained an original court order which has been signed by the judge, please e-mail staff listed in the Contact Information tab below. Walk in requests for property and evidence will not be accepted.

What to bring with you ...

The original signed court order
A valid, government issued photo ID
You may submit a notarized letter authorizing a designated person to receive property on your behalf if you are unable to retrieve your property in person.

Returning a Firearm

The return of a firearm requires a signed Form AOC-CR-218 Petition and Order Disposing of Firearm, in addition to a federally mandated criminal background check to ensure that the owner can legally possess a firearm under state and federal law.

What to submit when requesting the return of a firearm:

Valid driver’s license
All applicable court documents, including Form AOC-CR-218
Firearm Release Request
Proof of ownership

Please click on the link to access Form AOC-CR-218 Petition to Dispose of Firearm .

Firearms returns can take up to 30 days after receipt of the above documentation. Additional paperwork may be required.

Firearms WILL NOT be released to any person if any of the following is applicable:

• Anyone under the age of 21
• Any Felony conviction
• Probation restrictions prohibiting the possession of firearms
• Restraining orders prohibiting the possession of firearms

Police Video Recordings

Release of Recordings [Getting a Copy]

North Carolina General Statute outlines the process by which a person may obtain a copy of law enforcement recordings. Please contact the Wake County Clerk’s Office for information on this process.

Wake County Clerk of Superior Court

Wake County Justice Center

316 Fayetteville Street, Ste. 2050

Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 792-4000

Disclosure of Recordings [Viewings ONLY]

The Chief of Police or his/her designee may only authorize disclosure of a recording to the following:

1. A person whose image or voice is in the recording.

2. A personal representative of an adult person whose image or voice is in the recording, if the adult person has consented to the disclosure.

3. A personal representative of a minor or of an adult person under lawful guardianship whose image or voice is in the recording.

4. A personal representative of a deceased person whose image or voice is in the recording.

5. A personal representative of an adult person who is incapacitated and unable to provide consent to disclosure.

If you meet the criteria above, contact the Town of Cary 311 Center, where a Town of Cary Citizen Advocate can assist you in completing the Video Request Form.

If you have any questions about the statute or the video request processes described above, you should visit www.nccourts.gov or contact a private attorney to assist you.

Make an Appointment to Pick Up Property

Contact Information