Any law enforcement officer may place a hold order on property when there is reasonable cause to believe the property in possession of a pawnbroker, secondhand goods dealer, or dealer in precious metals or precious gems is stolen property. This hold order requires the pawnbroker, secondhand goods dealer, or dealer in precious metals or precious gems to hold the specified property on the licensed premises and not dispose of or alter the property from the form in which it was received during the hold order period. This hold order shall not exceed a holding period of more than 45 days unless it is extended by court order. Hold orders will be placed on property by written or electronic notification to the pawnbroker, secondhand goods dealer, or dealer in precious metals or precious gems in possession of the property. The hold order notification will include a detailed description of the property subject to the hold and the date and time of the hold order notification. Hold orders may be removed prior to the 45-day expiration period by written or electronic notification by the law enforcement officer placing the hold or other authorized officer from that agency. Nothing in this section shall limit a law enforcement officer’s ability to seize property when there is reasonable cause to believe it is stolen by means of a warrant, court order, or other method authorized by law.
(1992 Code, § 28-19) (Ord. 46-96, passed 4-1-1996; Ord. 54-11, passed 7-18-2011; Ord. 67-19, passed 6-18-2019)