Couple attempts to retrieve seized property from Wilkinsburg police with no response

WILKINSBURG, Pa. — After having thousands of dollars worth of their belongings seized by police two years ago, Renee and Jerome Taylor are still trying to get their property back after repeated trips to Wilkinsburg police, but the chief said she has not heard about their case until now.

“I'm very upset because I've lost jobs over this and it ruined my life, and I didn't do it. Now, I want to get my stuff back and they won't give it back to me,” said Renee Taylor.

Two year ago, police seized thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and electronics from the Taylors’ home after investigators accused the couple of concocting a story about a burglary at their home in Wilkinsburg and then filing a false insurance claim.

“They said the things that we had were reported stolen, but those things were what we bought with the recovery money even before we got recovery money,” said Renee Taylor.

After reports in May surfaced about a surveillance tape showing the break-in at the Taylors’ home, the district attorney withdrew all the charges and dropped the case.

Since then, the Taylors, who have had prior run-ins with Wilkinsburg police, told Channel 11’s Rick Earle that they have been trying to get their property back.

“I've made three or four appointments and left voicemails on Cookie's phone, who is the chief,” said Renee Taylor.

On June 28, a judge granted a motion ordering Wilkinsburg police to return all of the items within 20 days.

“Today was the first that I knew and that I even spoke with Mr. Taylor,” said Wilkinsburg Police Chief Cookie Coleman.

Coleman said as soon as she sees the court order, she will return the items.

Coleman said she told Renee Taylor to come to the police department on Monday morning to get her belongings.

Renee Taylor said she plans to be there at 8 a.m.

WPXI