(A) If a vehicle or a part tagged by an officer under § 90.03 is not removed within the 72-hour period, the officer shall prepare a written abandoned vehicle report of the vehicle or parts, including information on the condition, missing parts and other facts that might substantiate the estimated market value of the vehicle or parts. Photographs shall be taken to describe the condition of the vehicle or parts.
(B) If, in the opinion of the officer, the market value of an abandoned vehicle or parts determined under § 90.03 is less than $500, the officer shall immediately dispose of the vehicle to an automobile scrap yard. A copy of the abandoned vehicle report and photographs relating to the abandoned vehicle shall be forwarded to the bureau and shall be retained by the Department for two years.
(C) If, in the opinion of the officer, the market value of the abandoned vehicle or parts determined under § 90.03 is at least $500, the officer, before placing a notice tag on the vehicle or parts, shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain the person who owns the vehicle or parts, or who may be in control of the vehicle or parts, and notify the person with the information required in § 90.03. If the vehicle or parts tagged by the officer, as provided for in this chapter, has not been removed within the 72-hour period, the officer shall require the vehicle or parts to be towed to a storage lot, salvage yard, scrap yard or other business which deals in automobile storage or salvage operations.
(D) Within 72 hours after the removal of an abandoned vehicle to an automobile salvage or storage business under division (C) above, the officer or the storage/salvage operation business shall prepare and forward to the Bureau an abandoned vehicle report in accordance with IC 9-22-1-19. If the person who owns or holds a lien upon the vehicle does not appear and pay the costs for removal and storage within 15 days after notification by the Bureau, pursuant to IC 9-22-1-19, the vehicle or parts shall be disposed of as provided by IC 9-22-1-23, or under the provisions of any other applicable state law, including, but not limited to the state mechanic's lien statutes.
(E) If a vehicle or parts are in the condition that vehicle identification numbers or other means of identification are not available to determine the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle, the vehicle may be disposed of by the city or the storage/salvage operator without notice.
(Ord. 2004-10, passed 7-20-04)