A. Whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen, or unclaimed vehicle seven (7) years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of thirty (30) days after notice has been given as provided in this chapter, the local law enforcement agency having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten (10) days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten (10) days prior to the sale, the local law enforcement agency shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner or other person known by the local law enforcement agency or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. Such notice shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle.
B. When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven (7) years of age is impounded as specified by this chapter, it will be kept in custody for a minimum of ten (10) days for the purpose of determining ownership, the contacting of the registered owner by U.S. mail, public service, or in person for a determination of disposition, and an examination of the state police stolen vehicle files for theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the ten (10) day period, without the benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owner, the local law enforcement agency will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk only.
C. In those instances where the certified notification specified herein has been returned by the postal authorities to the local law enforcement agency due to the addressee having moved or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of this state, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required. (Ord. 310, 11-11-2008)