Comments on: Crime may not pay, but oh, what a deal!

Crime may not pay, but oh, what a deal!

amberglow — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 08:14:31 -0800

Hey, that was my getaway car!!! Ever wonder where property seized from criminals and crime scenes ends up? Steal It Back/The Property Room brings police auctions online, and New York City is now participating too, guaranteeing an large influx of interesting stuff. Part eBay and part "Cops" episode, the Web site is alternatively cheery ("Hot Pursuit Specials!") and puzzling. How did the police end up with that collectible "I Love Lucy" plate anyway? Where did those eight candlesticks and a Bible come from? Are they really selling that hydroponic grow light — that staple of dorm-room marijuana cultivation? How long before they show up to seize it back?

By: ahughey

ahughey — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 08:58:53 -0800

It's L'il Bandit! And she's in pain!

By: Cyrano

Cyrano — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 09:14:16 -0800

I was so trying to remember that car's name but was too lazy to seach for it. And this site pretty much rules.

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 09:25:42 -0800

PropertyRoom/StealItBack has been around for awhile. I've considered it as the bastard offspring of Archie McPhee and Jack McCoy, as some of the groovier items for bid have been decommissioned parking meters, shoulder-style gun holsters, and of course, stationery supplies.

By: jester69

jester69 — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 09:40:00 -0800

I can't seem to get onto the site. Every once in a while the front page will load but then if I click on anything, it disappears again. I think they need to invest in some capacity, they seem to not have enough for their current traffic levels.

By: Busithoth

Busithoth — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 09:47:43 -0800

they should invest in better servers. s l o w . . .

By: biffa

biffa — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 09:50:40 -0800

There's a certain irony in being able to buy a copy of GTA3 from a police force.

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 14:23:16 -0800

Well, I couldn't find the 20 sack they got off me last night. Are cops supposed to throw that away? He put it in his pocket and didnt charge me.

By: Busithoth

Busithoth — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 14:41:50 -0800

Well, I couldn't find the 20 sack they got off me last night. Are cops supposed to throw that away? He put it in his pocket and didnt charge me. Ha. If the NYPD put everything they confiscate on this website, they'd have a huge box of mostly empty wallets, mountains of shoelaces, belts, and other trinkets that they take off people they do charge, and put in holding cells, only to 'lose' the envelope in which all these items are placed 'for the perp's own safety'

By: stoneegg21

stoneegg21 — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 18:23:22 -0800

Just so you know, I have a friend who tried to buy the hydroponics grow lights off the police, but at least in Nebraska, they smash the lights and don't sell them. My friend grows lots of carnivorous plants and also has quite a few assorted snakes. Just so you know, there is a benign use for those lights.