Columbus police are asking that you hold off from contacting the evidence room, if you are hoping to recover some of your stolen property.

Last week Columbus police say that they recovered more than $100,000 in stolen property from several area communities after arrests and searches recently in an ongoing investigation.

But now the department is getting flooded with calls to the property room from people looking for their stolen items. They say that the voicemail is full. Instead of calling the property room, they suggest that you leave a comment on the department’s Facebook page, or stop by the front desk Monday through Friday at the police headquarters in City Hall.

You can also call the department’s front desk at 812-376-2600 to leave your name and description of stolen property.

The investigation started with a suspicious vehicle at a property in the 2800 block of Riverside Drive earlier this month. After finding out that the two people in the vehicle were not authorized to be on the property, the driver tried to flee.

Police arrested 35 year old Brian J. Stewart and 34 year old Norma J. Holley, both of Columbus. A search of the car allegedly revealed a handgun, more than 70 syringes, methamphetamine and several stolen items.

Officers later served search warrants at a storage facility and a garage, where they recovered more stolen items including tools, lawn equipment, stereo equipment, televisions and a shot gun. They also recovered a vehicle stolen from Rensselaer. Other items had been reported stolen from Columbus, Edinburgh, Franklin, Seymour, Freetown  and Whiteland.