We have a large farm implement that has been abandoned on the side of the state highway. It has been there for several weeks. It is barely clear of the road and the sheriff wants to remove it. I believe we have the authority to do so under TC 251.008(1). My question is what to do we do with it then?

We can't find the owner and it doesn't appear to have any identifying numbers on it. My guess is someone was hauling it to scrap or it is stolen or both. They smoked a wheel bearing and the wheel came off and caused some damage, so moving it a long distance without some repair is going to be difficult. I am guessing this is why no one has retrieved it yet.

If it looks like it might have been a theft, CCP 47.01A might be a tool.