Power to search for stolen property

(1) Every police officer may, under the circumstances in this section mentioned, be authorised in writing by any police 6 officer not below the rank of sergeant, or in charge of any police station, to enter, and if so authorised may enter any house, shop, warehouse, yard or other premises in search of stolen property, and search and seize and secure any property he may believe to have been stolen, in the same manner as he would be authorised to do if he had a search warrant, and the property seized, if any, corresponded with the property described in such search warrant. (2) In every case in which any property is seized in pursuance of this section the person on whose premises it was at the time of seizure, or the person from whom it was taken if other than the person on whose premises it was, shall, unless previously charged with receiving the same knowing it to have been stolen, be summoned before a court of summary jurisdiction to account for his possession of such property, and the court shall make such order respecting the disposal of the property, and may award such costs as the justice of the case may require. (3) Any police officer not below the rank of sergeant, or in charge of any police station may give authority under this section in the following cases, or either of them, (a) when the premises to be searched are, or within the preceding twelve months have been, in the occupation of any person who has been convicted of receiving stolen property or of harbouring thieves; or (b) when the premises to be searched are in the occupation of any person who has been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty, and punishable by imprisonment. (4) It shall not be necessary for a police officer on giving such authority to specify any particular property, but he may give authority if he has reason to believe generally that the premises are being made a receptacle for stolen goods. 7