(A) (1) Whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed motor vehicle or other vehicle, seven years of age or newer, remains unclaimed by the registered owner or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of 30 days after notice has been given as provided herein, the Police Department having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten days prior to the sale, the Police Department shall cause a notice of the time and place to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner or other person known by the Police Department or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. The notice shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and what steps must be taken by a legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle.
(2) In those instances where the certified notification specified herein has been returned by the postal authorities to the Police Department due to the addressee having moved, or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of the state, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required.
(B) When the identity of the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of an abandoned, lost or unclaimed vehicle of seven years of age or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided herein or disposed in the manner authorized by the chapter without notice to the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven years of age is impounded as specified by this chapter, it will be kept in custody for a minimum of ten days for the purpose of determining ownership, the contacting of the registered owner by the U.S. mail, public service or in person for a determination of disposition; and an examination of the state police stolen motor vehicle files for theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the ten-day period, without the benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owner, the Chief of Police will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk only. A motor vehicle or other vehicle classified as an antique or classic vehicle is excluded from this chapter.
(C) When a vehicle located within the corporate limits of the municipality is authorized to be towed away by the Chief of Police and disposed of as set forth in this chapter, the proceeds of the public sale or disposition after the deduction of towing, storage and processing charges shall be deposited in the municipal treasury.