(A) The Chief of Police or his or her designee may impound an abandoned vehicle or one that has been deemed to be junk or inoperable under § 97.03. The vehicle shall remain impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of in accordance with IC 9-22-1-5 et seq.
(B) The Chief of Police or his or her designee may also impound a vehicle that is junk or inoperable or has been abandoned, upon complaint of an owner of a repair garage or place of storage for a vehicle when the vehicle has been left for longer than that agreed upon by the owner of the repair garage or place of storage, his or her agent or employee and the owner or operator of the vehicle. Before taking possession of the vehicle, the Chief of Police or his or her designee shall give a 168 hour notice to the owner of the vehicle of his or her intention to impound the vehicle at the end of the 168 hours, if it is not lawfully removed from the repair garage or other place of storage.
(C) The Chief of Police shall designate a place of storage for vehicles impounded under this section.
(D) The owner of a motor vehicle impounded under this section may reclaim it upon payment of any expenses or charges incurred in its removal and storage and upon presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the motor vehicle.
(E) If the motor vehicle remains unclaimed by the owner for a period of 30 days, the motor vehicle may be disposed of in accordance with the procedures established by state law.
(Ord. 2006-03, passed 12-18-06) Penalty, see § 97.99