By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

NORWOOD - Ever wanted your own street sweeper? How about a sweet deal on a sweet car?

You can find those and more Saturday when the Norwood Police Department holds its annual auction at the city's public works building.

In addition to the street sweeper, a loaded 1993 Lexus and a 1987 Saab 900 will be on the block.

"The cars were all seized by the Norwood drug task force over the last couple of years," Norwood Police Sgt. Tom Fallon said. "They were all court-ordered to the Norwood Police Department."

All of the vehicles will be offered as a reserve auction, where minimum bids must be met in order for the vehicle to be sold.

The Lexus is the highlight of the auction, Fallon said. It features a gold package, upgraded tires and wheels and a $2,000 aftermarket stereo.

Officers have already gotten more than a dozen calls on the car.

"We've put the Lexus out in front of the police department," Fallon said. "It's a nice-looking vehicle. People are stopping, blocking traffic on Montgomery Road to take a look at it. That's going to be the big draw.''

Other seized vehicles include a 1987 Ford Ranger pickup, 1984 Lincoln Town Car and 1992 Cadillac DeVille.

The public works department is also selling several used city vehicles.

Scores of smaller items including electronic equipment, jewelry, coins, clothing, tools, hunting gear and bicycles will be auctioned.

The auction will be conducted by Chief Mike's Auctioneering Service, run by Xavier University Police Chief Michael Couch. Couch is donating his services, Fallon said.

"It's going to be probably our biggest auction in quite a few years," Fallon said. "We have to get rid of this stuff."

The auction will be Saturday at the Norwood public works building, 3001 Harris Ave. All items can be viewed from 8:30 a.m. until the time of sale. Bidding begins at 10 a.m. Cash or local check with proper ID will be accepted.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net