When any goods, wares, merchandise or other articles are offered to any pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, junk dealer or junk collector, or any employee or agent thereof, by any person for deposit, in pawn or pledge, for purchase or otherwise, the person to whom the offer is made shall, in the event he has any doubt as to the ownership thereof, forthwith notify the sheriff by telephone or in person, of such offer and all the circumstances connected therewith.
(Prior code § 41.16.090)