Found property is held by the Somerset Police Department for a maximum of one year. If you are missing property below, please contact the Somerset Police Department at 508-679-2138. You will need to provide proof of ownership to make a claim.
Prisoner Property
If you are arrested it is the policy of the Somerset Police Department to safeguard any personal property left at the Station for maximum of 30 days from the date of arrest.
If you fail to retrieve your property within 30 days and that property is deemed to have no commercial value, it will be destroyed without further notice to the owner. If the property is deemed to have commercial value, notice will be sent to the last known address of the owner instructing them that they have 10 days to retrieve the property or it will be auctioned.
Personal property can only be collected by the owner of the property, unless an arrestee is incapable of collecting his/her belongings in person, then a third party may collect their belongings for them if such third party has a signed letter from the arrestee, authorizing the collection of the property.
This letter must either be:
- made on correctional/institutional facility letterhead or form which has either been notarized or co-signed by a facility employee;
- from the arrestee’s attorney or;
- notarized.
Unclaimed and Abandoned Property
In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, all unclaimed and abandoned property will be sold by means of an online auction by PropertyRoom.com. The property may include bicycles, jewelry, televisions, computer equipment, electronics, tools, watches, cameras, apparel, and other unclaimed and abandoned property. The items to be auctioned are in “AS IS” condition and are in no way guaranteed or under warranty by the Somerset Police Department or the Town of Somerset.
Property Auction Manifests
Any person who believes they may have unclaimed property being held by the Somerset Police Department (or is currently up for auction), should contact the department immediately at 508-679-1238 to determine if they have a claim to the property (proof of ownership will be required). The police department has in its possession numerous items of no commercial value (such as eyeglasses and keys) that it holds as a courtesy for return to their owners. If unclaimed, such property is disposed of without auction or further notice.
Massachusetts General Laws
Massachusetts General Laws regarding property found, recovered, or abandoned and now in the possession of or reported to the Police Department.
- Chapter 134: Section 1: Report of lost money or goods by finder
- Chapter 134: Section 4: Finder rights if owner does not appear within one year after item(s) is found
- Chapter 135: Section 7: Property taken by police officers from persons under arrest; disposition
- Chapter 135: Section 8: Unclaimed property in possession of police department; sale at public auction; notice