When did he buy it? yesterday? This morning?
Does it drive?
He may have bought the car on an impulse (of couse nobody here would do such a thing
) and now he is stuck with a project and no place to put it. One man's trash (you) is another man's treasure; so i wouldn't go messing with his treasure.
But i would tell him that the cops were asking about it and it looks like they might be getting ready to tow it soon. ' You're Just helping him out'.
This way you are the good guy and the city is the bad guy;.. it shifts the focus, And applies pressure.