A. Any article pledged or sold to a pawnbroker which is subsequently determined by a law enforcement agency to have been stolen shall be transferred to the custody of such agency upon the agency's written request, or, at the direction of the agency, shall be returned by the pawnbroker to the true owner. The true owner shall not be liable to the pawnbroker for any amounts expended by the pawnbroker with respect to an article deemed stolen. The pawnbroker shall not be required to return stolen property to the true owner until:
1. He receives written notice from the law enforcement agency authorizing the release of the property to the true owner and specifying the name, address and social security number of the true owner.
2. The true owner, in person, requests the return of the property, executes a receipt therefor, and presents proper identification showing his name, address, social security number and signature.
If a disagreement exits concerning the ownership of property, the item shall be held by the Parma Police Department for thirty (30) days in order to allow the pawnbroker to seek judicial determination of ownership. If such action is not filed within thirty (30) days, the item will be returned by the Parma Police Department to the recorded owner.
B. Upon the return of stolen property to the true owner either by the pawnbroker or law enforcement agency, the pawnbroker shall complete such 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. Upon return of article to a true owner, said owner shall agree in writing to pursue a course of criminal prosecution which could result in restitution for any victimized party. (Ord. 440, 6-28-93)