By John-Henry Douchette
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Every two months, Beach police auction off unclaimed or seized property — bikes, electronic equipment, tools — the usual.
This week, some “bling” is going on the block.
Jewelry seized during criminal investigations will be added to the police auction.
Virginia Beach Police Department Sgt. Tommy Irving recently showed off some of the jewelry that will be auctioned off at 10 a.m. Thursday behind 2509 Princess Anne Road, Building 11 .
“Here’s one with an estimated value of $1,900 ,” he said, showing a huge cross one wears when they really want other people to notice they are wearing a cross.
Actually, crosses were popular. One appeared to be gold, silver and have little diamonds on it.
Maybe it was a trick of the light, but one seemed to have it s own weather system. Madonna, the Material Girl, might love it, but it wasn’t exactly Irving’s style.
“I’m not a very flashy person,” the sergeant said.
He said his entire personal inventory of jewelry is a wedding ring, a watch and a college ring.
Irving, 43 , is the logistics supervisor for property and evidence, which means he keeps track of things such as the weapons and drugs that are used to help adjudicate court cases.
Beach police will not be accepting bids on those particular items.
The police used to sell seized jewelry through a private auction house, but they’re giving their own auction a try.
“We have better accountability that way,” Irving said.
Since the stuff is valuable, there will be higher minimum bids on jewelry, whereas other items such as bikes — even iPods — start at a buck .
The auction is more a public service than anything else, gaining the city a couple thousand dollars every other month , Irving said.
The auctions have their regular merchandise. Bikes, which are recovered from around the city, are always the biggest component. Some of the ones chained up behind the police office were in disrepair, but others looked brand- new. There was a candy-apple red beach-cruiser-style bike.
“People go nuts over those,” Irving said.
They’ll find out this week whether jewelry, including a dazzlingly chunky ring, brings in some bank.
“Maybe it’ll go like hot cakes,” Irving said. “I’m hoping it does.”
Copyright 2007 The Virginian-Pilot