No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to
stand unattended in any public place, or on any used or new car lot, or parking
lot, without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition and removing
the ignition key from the vehicle.
Whenever any police officer shall find a motor vehicle standing unattended
with the ignition key in the vehicle, in violation of this chapter,
such police officer is authorized to remove such key from such vehicle and
secure that key at the police station before the police officer's tour of
duty is completed.
The registered owner of a vehicle found in violation of this chapter
shall be held prima facie responsible for any such violation.
Violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as provided in Chapter
1, Article
III, General Penalty.