All items of personal property received by a pawnbroker under this chapter shall be held intact for at least seven business days after the pawnbroker has mailed a copy of the record required to be maintained under state law, which details the item of personal property received, to the Town Police Department. Whenever any pawnbroker receives written notice, either from the Town Police Department or from an individual, that someone is maintaining a claim of right to possession of the item adverse to the pawnbroker, the pawnbroker shall keep the personal property in its possession for 30 days or turn the item over to the Town Police Department, if so required by the Department. Once notice of an adverse claim to the item has been given under this section, the item shall be held for 30 days, during which legal proceedings may be commenced to determine who is entitled to the property. If the matter is not settled or legal proceedings have not been commenced within 30 days, the item of personal property shall be returned to the pawnbroker by the Town Police Department, if held by them.
(1996 Code, § 11-28) (Ord. 2003-12, passed - -)