All goods and chattels which shall come into the possession of the State Police by finding, or by being recovered after theft or robbery, and which shall remain in the possession of the State Police for six months, and the owner or owners are unknown and cannot be found, or refuse to receive such goods or chattels, may, in whole or in part, be exposed for sale by the director of the Division of Purchase and Property of the State Department of Taxation and Finance at public auction in a public place after notice of the sale shall have been published in a newspaper published in the State. Goods and chattels of a perishable nature so held may be sold as promptly as may be necessary to avoid loss. All moneys received from the sale of any goods and chattels shall be paid into the State treasury. All unclaimed moneys coming into the possession of the State Police shall, after six months, be paid into the State treasury.

L.1946, c. 290, p. 984, s. 1.