(A) 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 of in the manner authorized by this chapter, without notice to the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle.
(B) 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.
(1975 Code, § 2.12)