254 - Disposition of lost property.

§ 254. Disposition of lost property. Except as provided in section two  hundred  fifty-six  of  this  chapter,  lost property deposited with the  police, and the money constituting proceeds of  lost  property  sold  as  provided   in  subdivision  five  of  section  two  hundred  fifty-three  remaining after deduction of expenses  as  therein  provided,  shall  be  disposed of as follows:    1.  It  shall  be  delivered  to  the  owner, upon his demand and upon  payment of all reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith,  if  no  written  notice  of  any other claim to the property has been served  upon the police having custody, and the time  specified  in  subdivision  seven of section two hundred fifty-three of this chapter has not expired  or, if such period has expired, no demand has been made by the finder or  a  person  entitled  to  assert  the  right of the finder as provided in  section two hundred fifty-six of this chapter.    2. If at the end of the  period  specified  in  subdivision  seven  of  section  two  hundred  fifty-three  of  this  chapter  the owner has not  claimed the property, it shall be delivered to  the  finder,  or  person  entitled  to  assert the rights of the finder as provided in section two  hundred fifty-six of this chapter, upon his demand  therefor,  and  upon  payment of all reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.    3.  If at the end of ten days after expiration of the period specified  in subdivision seven of section two hundred fifty-three, the  owner  has  not  claimed  it,  and no demand has been made by the finder or a person  entitled to assert the right of the finder as provided  in  section  two  hundred fifty-six of this chapter, property consisting of money shall be  paid  as provided in section two hundred fifty-eight of this chapter and  other property shall be sold at public auction and the proceeds shall be  paid as provided in such section two hundred  fifty-eight.    Where  the  property was deposited with the state police, such sale shall be held in  accordance with rules of the comptroller.