Car stolen, burned, and now in impound

[alstarx]

What is the name of your state? California....not my car or my situation, so I may not have all the details..
My friend's car was stolen on Halloween, then burned.
It is now being held as evidence because of the arson. In the meantime, she can't find the title, DMV won't release a substitute title because the police are holding th car, and the impound fees are accruing.
My friend wants to know why should she be responsible to pay this fee for a car that is dead? What will happen if she doesn't pay the fees to get her burnt piece of scrap back?

 

[LK.]

She should immediately have this discussion with the police officers involved in the arson case.

 

[stephenk]

is the car a total loss? If yes, why does she want the car back? Has she contacted her auto insurance company to report the loss?