(A) (1) If the vehicle is a junk vehicle and the market value of an abandoned vehicle or parts is less than:
(a) One thousand dollars; or
(b) If the town has adopted an ordinance under division (A)(1), the amount established by the ordinance;
the towing service shall immediately transfer the vehicle to a storage yard. A copy of the abandoned vehicle report and photographs, if applicable, relating to the abandoned vehicle shall be provided to the storage yard. A towing service or storage yard may dispose of an abandoned vehicle not less than 30 days after the date on which the towing service removed the abandoned vehicle. A city, county, or town that operates a storage yard under IC 36-9-30-3 may dispose of an abandoned vehicle to an automobile scrapyard or an automotive salvage recycler upon removal of the abandoned vehicle. The public agency or storage yard disposing of the vehicle shall retain the original records and photographs for at least two years. If the vehicle is demolished, a copy of the abandoned vehicle report shall be forwarded to the bureau by the automobile scrap yard after the vehicle has been demolished.
(2) The Town Council may adopt an ordinance that establishes the market value below which an officer may dispose of a vehicle or parts under division (A)(1) above. However, the market value established by the ordinance may not be more than 750.
(IC 9-22-1-13(a), (b))
(B) (1) If in the opinion of the officer the market value of the abandoned vehicle or parts is at least:
(a) One thousand dollars; or
(b) If the town has adopted an ordinance under division (A)(2)above, the amount established by the ordinance;
the officer, before placing a notice tag on the vehicle or parts, shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain the person who owns the vehicle or parts or who may be in control of the vehicle or parts.
(2) After 72 hours, the officer shall require the vehicle or parts to be towed to a storage yard or towing service.
(IC 9-22-1-14)
(C) If a vehicle or parts are in such a condition that vehicle identification numbers or other means of identification are not available to determine the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle, the vehicle may be disposed of without notice.
(IC 9-22-1-21)
(D) (1) Within 72 hours after removal of a vehicle to a storage yard or towing service under divisions (A) or (B) of this section, § 95.31, IC 9-22-1-16 or IC 9-22-6, the public agency or towing service shall conduct a search of national data bases, including a data base of vehicle identification numbers, to attempt to obtain the last state of record of the vehicle in order to attempt to ascertain the name and address of the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle.
(2) (a) A public agency or towing service that obtains the name and address of the owner of or lienholder on a vehicle shall, not later than 72 hours after obtaining the name and address, notify the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle of the following:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the public agency or towing service.
2. That storage charges are being accrued and the vehicle is subject to sale if the vehicle is not claimed and the charges are not paid.
3. The earliest possible date and location of the public sale or auction.
(b) The notice must be made by certified mail or a certificate of mailing or by means of an electronic service approved by the bureau. Notwithstanding § 95.03, a public agency or towing service that fails to notify the owner of or lienholder on the vehicle as set forth in this division (D)(2) may not collect additional storage costs incurred after the date of receipt of the name and address obtained.
(IC 9-22-1-19)