A. Return Of Property: Any article pledged or sold to a pawnbroker, or secondhand dealer, or recycle which is subsequently determined by a law enforcement agency to have been stolen shall be transferred to the custody of such agency upon the request of the Sheriff or at the direction of the Sheriff, shall be returned by the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer to the true owner. The true owner shall not be liable to the pawnbroker, or secondhand dealer, or recycler for any amounts expended by the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer, or recycler with respect to an article deemed stolen. Restitution for the pawnbroker or secondhand dealer, or recycler will be sought by the City Attorney from anyone charged in connection with the stolen property. The pawnbroker or secondhand dealer shall not return such property directly to the true owner until:
1. The pawnbroker or secondhand dealer receives written notice from the Office of the Sheriff authorizing the release of the property to the true owner and specifying the name and address of the true owner; and
2. The true owner, in person, presents proper identification showing his name, address, social security number and signature.
B. Documentation Necessary: Upon the return of stolen property to the true owner either by the pawnbroker, or secondhand dealer or recycler, or a law enforcement agency, the pawnbroker, or secondhand dealer, recycler shall complete the documentation as may be necessary or required to effect the transfer of the property, including such documents pertaining to the registration of firearms as may be required by local, State or Federal authorities.
C. Holding Property; Conditions: Any article pledged or sold to a pawnbroker, or secondhand dealer, or recycler which is subsequently determined to have been stolen must be held by such pawnbroker or secondhand dealer if not transferred as authorized herein, except upon written authorization from the Office of the Sheriff, the City Attorney or an authorized representative of either. (Ord. 592, 4-9-2019; amd. Ord. 634, 6-14-2022)