All articles purchased, received, exchanged, pledged, pawned, or otherwise taken into
possession by any person maintaining or operating the business of pawnbroker, secondhand
dealer or exchange dealer, or the agent thereof, the retention of which is not otherwise
provided for by law, shall, except as hereinafter otherwise provided, be held for
a period of thirty (30) days before being placed on exhibition, sold, exchanged, removed
from the place of business where it was received, or delivered to any person, or otherwise
disposed of, provided, however, that any such article may be delivered or returned
at any time to the true owner thereof or his or her authorized agent; provided, further,
any furniture, household furnishings, files, desks, chairs, safes, or other office
equipment need not be held for more than five days pursuant to the provisions of this
section.
