5.10.120 Police seizures – Police holds.
A. In addition to retention of property required by this chapter, any police officer having probable cause to believe that any item in the possession of a licensee is stolen may seize such item at any time. In the event of such a seizure, the licensee shall be entitled to a written receipt for the item from the City of Redmond Police Department.
B. In lieu of immediate seizure, a police officer may place a “hold” upon the property by making an entry upon the permanent record required by Section 5.10.080, indicating that such item is stolen property. The licensee shall then:
1. Tag or otherwise reasonably identify the item;
2. Hold it in a place on the business premises of the dealer to which police officers shall have access at any time during the dealer’s regular business hours;
3. Keep the item safe from alteration, loss, damage, or commingling with other goods.
C. No licensee shall dispose of any items subject to a police hold in any manner; provided, that items subject to a police hold shall be surrendered to the chief of police or his designee upon request or in compliance with a subpoena signed by the prosecutor or in compliance with an order of a court of competent jurisdiction or as directed in a written release signed by the chief of police or his designee. Property held shall not be released for one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of police notification unless released by written consent of the law enforcement agency or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. In cases where the law enforcement agency has placed a verbal hold on an item, that agency must then give written notice within ten (10) business days. If such written notice is not received within that period of time, then the hold order will cease. The pawnbroker shall give a twenty (20) day written notice before the expiration of the one hundred twenty (120) day holding period to the law enforcement agency about the stolen property. If notice is not given within twenty (20) days, then the hold on the property shall continue for an additional one hundred twenty (120) days. The law enforcement agency may renew the holding period for an additional one hundred twenty (120) day period as necessary. After the receipt of notification from a pawnbroker, if an additional holding period is required, the law enforcement agency shall give the pawnbroker written notice prior to the expiration of the existing hold order. A law enforcement agency shall not place on hold any item of personal property unless that agency reasonably suspects that the item of personal property is lost or stolen. Any hold that is placed on an item will be removed as soon as practicable after the item on hold is determined not to be stolen or lost. (Ord. 2546 § 2 (part), 2010: Ord. 1778 § 8, 1994; Ord. 1678 § 7, 1992; Ord. 1231 § 7, 1985; Ord. 1155 § 1 (part), 1983).