REFUGIO — A cache of items believed to be stolen were confiscated by the Refugio Police Department Friday night.

Investigator Danny Madrigal and Police Officer Bill Schaefer went to a residence off Oak Street where they discovered numerous fishing rods and reels, fishing nets, as well as a firearm.

“The officers acquired consent to enter the residence and discovered an abundance of property which obviously had been misappropriated,” said Andy Lopez Jr., Refugio Police Chief. “All the items were seized with consent from the resident.”

No arrests have been made but the case is being evaluated for prosecution.

Lopez said thieves sell items to known buyers who subsequently resell them for profit.

“The alternative method is that the thief may take the misappropriated property to the buyer in exchange for an illegal product,” Lopez said.

The police chief said the bartering of goods for illegal products has a name — “fencing property.”

The items found on Oak Street were being “fenced,” according to Lopez.

“The next step is for the Refugio Police Department to locate the people who own the property,” Lopez said.

The chief speculated that the owners have either neglected to report the missing property or have not discovered that their property is missing.

“We hope to get the property back to the rightful owner,” Lopez said.