BY LAURA GOLDBERG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Before reflexively heading to the mall this weekend for whatever you might need, think Cincinnati police.
They may have an alternative.
If it's jewelry or, say, a car stereo you're looking for, they have it and more.
The Cincinnati Police Division's spring auction of confiscated, recovered and unclaimed property starts 11 a.m. Saturday at the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center downtown. Admission is free. The doors open at 10 a.m. so potential buyers can check out the offerings. Purchases are cash only.
There are more than 180 bicycles to choose from: sometimes bidders land ones in good shape. Others are wrecked -- but still good for parts. Clothes, cellular phones, speakers, electronic items, knives, sporting goods, tools, several lawn mowers and a ladder are up for grabs.
While bidders can get bargains, Donna Anderson, who works in the city's court property unit said: "Sometimes I think they get caught up in the bidding. They forget what they're really bidding on."
The auctions are held twice a year.
In November, almost $32,000 was raised.
Some of the money goes to the Crimestoppers program, some to the police department and the rest is for general city use.
