§ 7-63. Acceptance of property suspected stolen; peace officer requested holds.

(a)

It shall be the duty of every metal recycler to report immediately to the police department, by filing a formal complaint, any offer to sell to the metal recycler property that the metal recycler has actual knowledge or a reasonable belief is stolen, together with the identity, when known, and description of the person or persons making such offer. A metal recycler shall also report to the police department, by filing a formal complaint, any property acquired by the metal recycler that the metal recycler subsequently determines or reasonably suspects to be stolen property and shall furnish such other information as might be helpful to the police department in investigating the matter.

(b)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7-60 of this Code, it shall be the duty of every metal recycler to hold all suspected stolen property in a secure place on its business premise for 60 days upon request by a peace officer. The metal recycler may not process or remove the property from the secure place on its business premise before the 60th day after receipt of the request from a peace officer to hold the property unless:

(1)

The item is released into a peace officer's care, custody and control at an earlier time;

(2)

A peace officer releases the hold on the property upon an earlier date; or

(3)

A court orders release of the property.

(c)

Upon receipt of a written request from a peace officer, a metal recycler may be requested to hold all suspected stolen property in a secure place on its business premise for more than 60 days. A peace officer may request to extend the holding period for up to 24 months from the date the request is received. During this extended holding period, the metal recycler may not process or remove the property from the secure place on its business premise.

(Ord. No. 2016-964 , § 4(Exh. A), 12-7-2016)