(1) Notification; Identifying Tag: Following notification from the Sheriff that an item of property has been reported as stolen, the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer shall hold that property intact and safe from alteration, damage or commingling. The pawnbroker or secondhand dealer shall place an identifying tag or other suitable identification upon the property so held.
(2) Release: Property held shall not be released for one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of Sheriff notification unless released by written consent of the Sheriff or by written order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(3) Verbal Hold: In cases where the Sheriff has placed a verbal hold on an item, he must then give written notice to the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer within ten (10) business days of making the verbal hold. If such written notice is not received within that period of time by the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer, then the hold order will cease.
(4) Expiration Notice: The pawnbroker or secondhand dealer shall give a twenty (20) day written notice to the Sheriff about the stolen property before the expiration of the one hundred twenty (120) day holding period. If notice is not given within twenty (20) days by the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer to the Sheriff, then the hold on the property shall continue for an additional one hundred twenty (120) days. The Sheriff may renew the holding period for additional one hundred twenty (120) day periods as necessary.
(5) Renewal Notice: After the receipt of notification from a pawnbroker or secondhand dealer, if an additional holding period is required, the Sheriff shall give the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer written notice, prior to the expiration of the existing hold order.
(6) Effect Of Provisions: The provisions set forth in this Section supersede any other provisions of this Article.
(7) Removal Of Hold: The Sheriff shall not place on hold any item of personal property unless the Sheriff reasonably suspects that the item of personal property is a lost or stolen item. Any hold that is placed on an item will be removed as soon as practicable after the item on hold is determined by the Sheriff not to be stolen or lost. (Ord. 95-004, 7-3-95)