(A) The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, or any law enforcement officer acting within accordance of their duty, may in their discretion order any item(s), which they shall have reason to believe were not pledged by or purchased from the lawful owner, to be held for the purpose of identification by the lawful owner for such length of time as he or she shall deem necessary for the identification; provided, that no such item(s) shall be held more than 30 calendar days. If it is determined the item(s) were not pledged by or purchased from the lawful owner, then such item(s) shall be surrendered to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, or any law enforcement officer acting within accordance of their duty, upon request.
(B) If the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, or any law enforcement officer acting within accordance of their duty, confiscates any item(s) from a dealer, there will be a good faith attempt to obtain restitution for the dealer in the amount provided for the purchase of the item(s). The dealer will be considered a victim in any criminal proceedings and will be afforded such rights provided to all victims of criminal proceedings.
(Ord. 2020-1, passed 3-4-20) Penalty, see § 112.99