People v. One 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix Automobile

This case involves a challenge to the constitutionality of section 4—107(i) of the anti-theft article of the Illinois Vehicle Code. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 95½, par. 4—107(i).) The statute provides that an automobile which has the manufacturer’s identification number removed, altered, defaced or destroyed may be seized and, if the true manufacturer’s identification number cannot be identified, the automobile shall be considered contraband. The statute states that a person owning, leasing or possessing the automobile has no property rights in the vehicle. The issue raised in this appeal is…