§ 3-2.814. Leaving Unattended Vehicle.

(a)

Removing Ignition Key. No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended in any public place, or on any parking lot without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition and removing the ignition key from the vehicle.

(b)

Action by Police Officer. Whenever any police officer shall find a motor vehicle standing unattended with the ignition key in the vehicle, in violation of this section, such police officer is authorized to remove such key from such vehicle and to deliver such key to the Police-Communications Building, 601 11th Street, Modesto, California.

(c)

Presumption. The registered owner of a vehicle found in violation of this section shall be held prima facie responsible for any such violation.

(d)

Violations. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall not mitigate the offense of stealing such motor vehicle nor shall such violation be used to effect a recovery in any civil action for theft of such motor vehicle, or the insurance thereon, or have any other bearing in any civil action.

(Added by Ord. 234-C.S., amended by Ord. 251-C.S., and 822-C.S., effective 3-22-67)