(A) If the vehicle is a junk vehicle and the market value of an abandoned vehicle or parts is less than:
(1) One thousand dollars; or
(2) If the municipality has adopted an ordinance, the amount established by 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 the abandoned vehicle not less than 30 days after the date on which the towing service removed the abandoned vehicle. The town that operates a storage yard under I.C. 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 town 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. When the Bureau receives the report, the Bureau shall note the status of the vehicle in the records of the Bureau.
(I.C. 9-22-1-13)
(B) If in the opinion of the officer the market value of the abandoned vehicle or parts is at least:
(1) One thousand dollars; or
(2) If the municipality has adopted an ordinance, the amount established by 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. After 72 hours, the officer shall require the vehicle or parts to be towed to a storage yard or towing service.
(I.C. 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.
(I.C. 9-22-1-21)
(D) Abandoned vehicle report.
(1) Within 72 hours after removal of an abandoned vehicle to a storage yard or towing service under this section or I.C. 9-22-6, the town or towing operator 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) The town or a towing service that obtain 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 owner of the vehicle and any lienholder on the vehicle, as indicated by the certificate of title or discovered by a search under division (D)(1) of this section:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the town 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 certificate of mailing or by means of an electronic service approved by the Bureau. Notwithstanding § 90.03, the town or towing service that fails to notify the owner of or lienholder on the vehicle as set forth in this subsection may not collect additional storage costs incurred after the date or receipt of the name and address obtained.
(I.C. 9-22-1-19)