If a violator of any provision of this chapter who has been given a citation tag as provided above, fails to appear in accordance with the instructions on the tag, the Chief of Police or his or her authorized agent shall send to the owner of the vehicle involved a letter or other written notice informing him or her of the violation and warning him or her to appear as directed and that, in the event the letter or notice is disregarded for a period of ten days, a complaint will be filed and warrant of arrest issued. Nothing in this section shall abridge the power to file a complaint against him or her prior to the expiration of the time.
(`90 Code, § 20-155)