Failure of officer to obtain possession

§ 16–3734. Failure of officer to obtain possessionWhen the officer’s return of a writ of replevin issued pursuant to this subchapter is that he has served the defendant with copies of the complaint, affidavit, and summons, but that he could not obtain possession of the goods and chattels sued for, the plaintiff may prosecute the action for the value of the property and damages for the detention, not to exceed in ail $10,000 or he may renew the writ, in order to obtain possession of the goods and chattels themselves.