§286-44 Unlawful to possess certain motor vehicles, parts, etc.; forfeiture. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a motor vehicle, a motor block, or any part thereof, knowing that the motor number, serial number, or manufacturer's number, placed on the same by the manufacturer for the purpose of identification, has been changed, altered, erased, or mutilated, for the purpose of changing the identity of the motor vehicle, motor, motor block, or any part thereof. All such motor vehicles, motor blocks, or parts from which the manufacturer's identification number has been removed, defaced, or altered shall be forfeited to the county where found and if not identified may be sold at public auction or destroyed. If identified, all persons having an interest in the motor vehicle, motor block, or part shall be notified, there shall be assigned a new registration number, and the motor vehicle, motor block, or part shall be returned to the owner entitled to possession.
(b) The chief of police of each county or officers of the county police who are permanently assigned to conduct vehicle theft investigations may immediately inspect, during normal business hours or whenever the dealer or dealer's agents or employees are otherwise present, any records required by chapter 286, 289, or 445 and any articles described in such records that the police reasonably believe are stolen goods, limited to the purpose of establishing rightful title or registration of vehicles or identifiable vehicle components in order to determine rightful ownership or possession, on the premises of:
As used in this section, "identifiable vehicle component" means any component of a motor vehicle, including motor block or part that can be distinguished from other similar components by a serial number or other unique distinguishing number, sign, or symbol. Whenever possible, inspections conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted at a time and in a manner so as to minimize any interference with, or delay of, business operations. [L 1965, c 5, pt of §1b; Supp, §160-4.2; HRS §286-44; am L 1972, c 69, §1; am L 1998, c 98, §1; am L 2000, c 35, §1]