All abandoned, stolen or recovered property of every kind, including motor vehicles, which shall remain unclaimed with the police department for a period of one month, without being claimed or reclaimed by the owner, whether known or not, may be sold and disposed of at public auction as provided for in this article; provided, however, that any junked motor vehicle in the possession of the police department pursuant to article II of chapter 12 of this Code shall be subject to the provisions of that article.
(Code 1972, § 19-23)