Whenever any personal property comes into the possession of the police department in connection with the official performance of their duties and said personal property remains unclaimed or not taken away for a period of six months from the date of written notice to the owner thereof; if known, and in all other cases for a period of six months from the time said property came into the possession of the police department, unless said property has been held as evidence in any court, then, in that event, after six months from date when said case has been finally disposed of and said property released as evidenced by order of the court, said city may at any time thereafter sell said personal property at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash in the manner provided in this chapter. (Ord. 970 § 1, 1945)