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The Topeka Police Department operates a vehicle impoundment lot at 322 NW Crane. This is a secured environment with limited access to people with approved business. Released items may be claimed at the impound office. Vehicles and other items that are not claimed will be auctioned either in the monthly impoundment auction or through the contracted auction service.

Hours Of Business
Normal hours - 8:30am to 4:30pm; Monday through Friday. Closed holidays.
Note the office may be closed over a lunch hour depending on staffing levels. Please call ahead if you need to come in between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to make sure when someone will be available to help you.

Phone Numbers
785-368-9230
785-368-9264 (fax)

Process For Claiming Impound Vehicle
The registered owner must present:

1. Current, valid registration and tag
2. Current, valid insurance
3. A valid drivers license or state issued photo ID card

If some of the necessary documents cannot be found, you will be required to obtain new originals from the appropriate agencies. As a rule, we DO NOT release property from any vehicle. The property goes with the vehicle. You must present a valid drivers license in order to drive a vehicle off the lot.

If you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, in addition to the above documents you must also have an affidavit from the owner, dated, signed and notarized authorizing release of the vehicle to you. The notarized authorization may be no more than one week old.

Payment of fees may be handled either at the impound office or the municipal court. Fees may include, but are not limited to:

• Towing
• Storage @ $10.00 per day
• Tickets
• Postage Fees

Lot fees can be paid by Check or Money Order ONLY. No cash or credit cards accepted.

The vehicle must be free of investigative hold by any Law Enforcement Agencies and proper notice of release must have been received by the impound office before it will be released.

Auctions
There is a monthly abandoned vehicle auction held at the impound lot on the last Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise specified around holidays. The gates open at 8:30 am and the auction starts at 9:00 am. It usually lasts from one to two hours. The auction is open to anyone over 18 years of age with valid photo identification. Dealers must show a dealers license.

This auction is for abandon vehicles only. Most of the vehicles do not have keys and their mechanical condition is unknown. They are usually purchased for salvage, parts or restoration. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES.

A list of vehicles to be auctioned may be picked up at the impound lot or found in the Topeka Metro News approximately two to three weeks prior to the auction. This list will also be made available on the city web site.

Auction Rules

1. This property has no guarantee of safety. Entry is at your own risk and signifies a waiver of liability to the City of Topeka and it’s employees.
   
   
2. Anyone wanting access to the lot during the auction must provide valid photo identification or bid number before they will be allowed on the lot. NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IS ALLOWED ON THIS PROPERTY AT ANY TIME.
   
   
3. No vehicle will be parked during or after the sale that blocks any business or driveway access in the area. All City of Topeka traffic regulations must be observed.
   
   
4. Bidding
   1. You must have a bid number to bid on a vehicle.
   2. To obtain a bid number you must provide a valid photo ID.
   3. Only the person who has obtained the bid card will be allowed to purchase the vehicle. The bill of sale will be put in the same name as the name on the bid card.
   4. All bids will be made by holding the bid card above the head so that the auctioneer may readily see the bid number.
      
      
5. After auction
   1. No vehicle will be removed from the lot until the vehicle has been paid for. You must show your bill of sale prior to removing the vehicle.
   2. No vehicle repairs will be made that require anyone to get under the vehicle while on the lot.
   3. Once a vehicle has been purchased all responsibility for operation, towing, etc. is the purchasers. When the vehicle leaves the lot the vehicle and operator are subject to all city/state laws, ordinances and statutes. VEHICLES CANNOT BE DRIVEN OFF THE LOT WITHOUT CURRENT REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE.
   4. All vehicles MUST be removed from the lot by 3:00 pm the day of the sale or the purchaser will be charged $10.00 per day storage starting the day of the sale.
      
      
6. All Sales Are Final and payments must be made prior to you leaving the property. During and immediately after the sale payment may be made by cash, check, or money order. No credit cards accepted.
   
   
7. There is no guarantee on any of these vehicles. Most do not have keys and their mechanical condition is unknown.
   
   
8. Anyone failing to pay for a vehicle after they accept the bid will not be allowed to participate in future auctions.
   
   
9. The impound office will mail all necessary paperwork to register vehicle purchases within 30 working days. Please make sure we have the correct address when you check in so the paperwork will be delivered to the proper place. BE ADVISED THAT SOME CARS SOLD AT AUCTION MAY REQUIRE KANSAS HIGHWAY PATROL INSPECTION PRIOR TO BEING TITLED OR REGISTERED BY THE STATE.