The Police Department may sell such property by public auction in the manner and upon the notice of sale of personal property under execution as set forth under applicable state law if such property is a thing which is commonly the subject of sale, when the owner cannot, with reasonable diligence, be found or, being found, refuses upon demand to pay the lawful charges provided by §§ 3.23.010 and 3.23.020, in the following cases:
(A) When the thing is in danger of perishing, or of losing the greater part of its value: or,
('86 Code, § 3.23.070) (Ord. 3416, passed - - )