A person shall not knowingly keep in his or her possession or ownership for more than 10 days a motor vehicle or vessel, the manufacturer's serial or motor numbers or identifying numbers assigned by the Commissioner of which have been changed, tampered with, obliterated, or defaced, unless the person has applied to the Commissioner for the assignment of a new number to be placed on the vehicle or vessel or motor and the application has been granted. (Amended 1971, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 26; 1991, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)