Shady tow truck biz owner charged, would tow legally parked cars to nearby lot & demand $120 cash

[Liberal_in_LA]

Has your car been held for ransom? Predatory tow truck crackdown continues


The owner/operator of a Van Nuys towing and storage business accused of illegally towing cars and then charging the owners high fees to recover their vehicles is facing 60 criminal counts, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced Monday.

“Holding vehicles ransom and charging excessive fees for their release is an outrageous and unscrupulous business practice,” he said. “My office will continue to crack down on predatory businesses, hold their operators accountable and protect Los Angeles drivers.”

Valley Impound Garage allegedly targeted motorists who used a lot at 9241 Reseda Blvd. in Northridge, towing vehicles within an hour of when they were parked.

One woman told Los Angeles Police Commission investigators that she parked at the lot before visiting a nearby beauty salon. About 25 minutes later, she found that her car had been towed to a lot across the street, where the tow truck driver demanded that she pay $120 cash on the spot or $280 at the company’s Van Nuys tow yard, according to the city attorney’s office.

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VIG’s owner, Steven Garcia Sr., 60, was charged with operating without a state motor carrier permit, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, charging an excessive rate for towing and storage, refusing to accept payment by credit card and vehicle tampering, among other counts.

http://mynewsla.com/crime/2015/08/17/has-your-car-been-held-for-ransom-predatory-tow-truck-crackdown-continues/?google_editors_picks=true

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. Extortion would be a good charge.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. Yes. The lot owner was charged also. He was in on it.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Then let's tack on racketeering as well.

[Throd]

4. Grand theft auto

[exboyfil]

5. Yes

That was my thought as well.

[Go Vols]

6. Yep

[2naSalit]

7. Wonder if this is

a result of the extortion we heard about after the fire on Cajon Pass a few weeks ago.

[Gigabear]

8. I had this very thing happen to me in Oxnard, CA but it was $215.00

I flagged down a cop and explained the situation, but he said there was nothing he could do. He advised me that my only option was to just pay the thief and then take him to small claims court. I never took it to court because it is a giant hassle, particularly so when you live 150 miles away.