Its not stealing finders property if the cops do it. Its... its... a new policy. Yeah, that's it - just claim that policy trumps property rights, and trust that the amount is too small to be sued over by a naive teenager.
So all it takes to rip off an honest kid is several hundred plice with guns, backed up by lawyers and a city council. Way to go, Dallas!
Welcome to the real world, kid - remember what they did to you, and how they justified it, and it will enable you to protect your money in the future.
And Ashley, if you or your parents ever get a phone call asking for a contribution for the Policeman’s Benevolent Fund, tell them you’ve already been benevolent enough.