A. When an officer discovers a vehicle in the possession of a person other than the owner and the person cannot establish his right to the possession of that vehicle, the vehicle shall be taken to and stored in a suitable place. The bureau shall be notified within seventy-two hours of the location and description of the vehicle. Upon receipt of notification, the bureau shall cause a search to be made to determine and notify the owner in accordance with I.C. 9-22-1.
B. If the owner of the vehicle cannot be determined, the bureau shall declare the vehicle abandoned and provide for its disposal in accordance with I.C. 9-22-1.
C. If the properly identified owner or lienholder appears at the site of storage before disposal of the vehicle and pays all proper costs incurred against the vehicle at that time, then the vehicle shall be released. A copy of the release of all vehicles shall be sent to the bureau. The release must contain the owner or lienholder's signature, name, address, vehicle or parts description, costs and date of release.
D. If the vehicle is not released to the owner or lienholder, the bureau shall declare the vehicle abandoned and provide for disposal in accordance with I.C. 9-22-1. (Ord. 16-2019, 2019; Ord. 2-2014 § 1, 2014; Amended during 1994 codification; Prior code § 15-179)