(A) The Chief of Police may sell at public auction any recovered stolen property. The true owner of which cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort, and may also sell at public auction the property as may have been abandoned within the city where the true owner cannot be ascertained after reasonable effort. The Chief of Police shall make a diligent effort to ascertain the true owner of any abandoned or recovered stolen property and shall advertise the property with the full description thereof in a newspaper having general circulation in the city at least two times prior to the sale.
(B) At any time after 60 days shall have elapsed after the insertion of the first advertisement, the Chief may sell at public auction the abandoned or recovered stolen property in question. The Chief shall turn over all proceeds to the City Treasurer.
(C) At any time within one year after the sale of any abandoned or recovered stolen property, the true owner may apply to the Chief of Police, and after proper identification and proof of claim, recover the net sum received from the sale, after the necessary expenses are deducted. The property itself may be recovered after proper identification and proof of claim if the claim is made prior to the sale. After the lapse of one year after the sale, the net sum received from the abandoned property shall be placed in the general fund of the city.
(1985 Code, § 2-180)