(A) Property believed to be abandoned, lost, stolen, or otherwise illegally possessed shall be retained in custody by the chief of police or other principal official of the law enforcement agency. He shall make reasonable inquiry and efforts to identify and notify the owner or other person entitled to possession and shall return the property after the person provides reasonable and satisfactory proof of his ownership or right to possession and reimburses the agency for all reasonable expenses of custody.
(Ord. 4661, passed 12-13-55; Am. Ord. 6184, passed 12-24-74)
(B) If the identity or location of the owner or person entitled to possession of the property has not been ascertained within 6 months after the police department or other law enforcement agency obtains possession, the chief of police or other principal official shall effectuate the sale of the property for cash to the highest bidder at a public auction. Notice of the sale, including time, place, and a brief description of the property, shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the official has authority. The notice shall be published at least 10 days prior to the auction. Property offered but not sold at the public auction may be offered and sold at the subsequent public auction without notice.
(C) Bicycles, including motorized bicycles not requiring a state registration, may be disposed of after 90 days without notice or offer at auction if no owner is located or if ownership is not claimed. This would exclude any property that serves as evidence, a bicycle that has a city registration in which the owner is known or any bicycle that is reported stolen in which the bicycle would be returned.
(Ord. 4661, passed 12-13-55; Am. Ord. 6184, passed 12-24-74; Am. Ord. 9332, passed 9-7-21)