I hear what you're saying. But I would hope that they're no just giving bikes back to any joe-schmoe who walks in there with a grainy cell phone picture of a random bicycle "look it's got two wheels, so it's obviously my bike..". I assume they reunite bikes with previous owners when there is solid proof, like an original receipt or matching serial number. Ones that don't get claimed will NOT be auctioned off immediately afterwards...they will be held until the end of his trial as evidence. BTW did anyone go see his hearing yesterday?

and a related question:

I just emailed a friend who moved to Berlin in May (from Toronto), he had a completely mint, dialed in Urbanite, touring bike, tompson seat post and stem, XTR components, etc.. that was stolen about a year ago in front of the Rivoli. I have a half dozen photos of him on the bike and could describe it precise detail. I haven't been down there yet to even bother looking for it, but I expect it's in there....though it's not my bike, but he's not flying back from Europe to get his bicycle by tomorrow either. I'm betting the cops would not let me claim it... even if I could identify it in the pile they have down there. But they can't seriously expect that every (stolen) bike they recovered that the original owner even still lives in the city?!