(A) The owner of an abandoned vehicle is responsible for the abandonment and is liable for all of the costs incidental to the removal, storage and disposal of the vehicle or the parts.
(B) When an officer discovers a vehicle in the possession of a person other than the owner and the person cannot establish his or her right to the possession of that vehicle, the vehicle shall be taken to and stored in a suitable place. The Bureau shall be notified within 72 hours of the location and description of the vehicle.
(C) If the owner of the vehicle cannot be determined, the Bureau shall declare the vehicle abandoned and provide for its disposal in accordance with this chapter.
(D) If the properly identified owner or lienholder appears at the site of storage before disposal of the vehicle or parts and pays all proper costs incurred against it at that time, then the vehicle or parts shall be released. A copy of the release of all vehicles or parts shall be sent to the Bureau. The release must contain the owner or lienholder’s signature, name, address, vehicle or parts description, costs and date of release.
(E) If the vehicle is not released to the owner or lienholder, the Bureau shall declare the vehicle abandoned and provide for disposal in accordance with this chapter.
(‘89 Code, § 76.03)