(a) A person who appropriates lost property shall not be deemed to have stolen that property within the meaning of section 16-171 unless such property is found under circumstances which gave the finder knowledge of or means of inquiry as to the true owner.

    (b) The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue of lost property.

(Code 1964, § 7.830)

     State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, RSMo. § 570.060.