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(a) The U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.) upon taking into custody an abandoned motor vehicle shall with 10 days notify, by certified mail, return receipt requested, the last known registered owner of the motor vehicle and all lien holders of record, that the abandoned vehicle has been taken into custody. The notice shall describe the year, make, model and serial number of the abandoned vehicle (unless the same cannot be ascertained) and the fine; shall set forth the location of the facility where the vehicle is being held; shall inform the last registered owner and any lien holders of record of their right to reclaim the motor vehicle within 15 days after the date upon which said notice was mailed, upon payment of all towing preservation and storage charges and fines resulting from placing the vehicle in custody; shall state that the last registered owner is legally responsible, whether or not the vehicle is reclaimed, to pay to the Government of the Virgin Islands reasonable charges for the towing preservation, storage and/or disposal of the abandoned vehicle; and shall state that the failure of the last registered owner or lien holders of record to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time herein provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner and all lien holders of all right, title and interest in the vehicle which they or any of them have or may have and shall further constitute a bar to any claim for reimbursement instituted against the Government of the Virgin Islands or any department, agency or subdivision thereof. Until reasonable charges, as determined by the Police Commissioner, for the towing, preservation, storage and/or disposal of the abandoned vehicle and the fine have been paid, the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.) shall not, pursuant to Title 20, chapter 33, Virgin Islands Code, register or license any other motor vehicle to the last registered owner of the abandoned vehicle. The U.S. Virgin Island Police department (V.I.P.D.) shall keep a register of the names of the last registered owners of abandoned vehicles in order to enforce this subsection.
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(b) If the identity or address of the last registered owner or lien holders of record of such an abandoned motor vehicle cannot be determined as set forth in subsection (a) hereof it shall be deemed to have been effected upon a publication of such notice (containing such information as is available) in one newspaper of general circulation in the Virgin Islands, and the consequences and effect of a failure to reclaim an abandoned motor vehicle shall be set forth in subsection (a) hereof. Such notice may contain multiple listings of abandoned motor vehicles.