My Duster was stolen

North Carolina’s “Motor Vehicle Act of 1937
GS §20-77(d)
“(d) An operator of a place of business for garaging, repairing, parking or storing vehicles for the public in which a vehicle remains unclaimed for 10 days […], shall, within five days after the expiration of that period, report that vehicle as unclaimed to the Division. Failure to make such report shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. Persons who are required to make this report and who fail to do so within the time period specified may collect other charges due but may not collect storage charges for the period of time between when they were required to make this report and when they actually did send the report to the Division by certified mail. [my emphasis added].
There is also a statue that says:
"§ 20-219.15. Wrecker service storage fees. Notwithstanding the applicability of this Article, as established in G.S. 20-219.10, no wrecker service operator or tower shall charge a storage fee greater than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) a day for any stored vehicle. A storage fee may not be charged if the wrecker service operator or tower does not place the towed vehicle inside a private locked area preventing access by the general public. This section is not designed to limit any other fee charged by a wrecker service operator or tower for services related to towing. A variance of up to fifty percent (50%) of the maximum storage fee established by this section may be allowed when the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety determines that the cost of complying with the rules of the Department regarding storage lots warrant a waiver." SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2009, and applies to vehicles towed by a tower on or after that date.

I'll catch holy hell for the following statement, but: cops are flipping idiots. They do not posses a law degree and never, under any circumstance follow any legal advise a cop gives.
The long and short of is simple, if you want your car, quit finding excuses not to, and deal with the issue. Crying here won't do you a bit of good. Contact an attorney in the county the cop is in. Most will talk to you for free and give you an assessment of your situation. If you're concerned you won't understand whats being said, have a member of your family you trust listen in on the phone call.
Balls in your court, either play it or quit the game.