Carjacking victim must pay $145 to recover stolen car from city pound

[matcom]

<snip>

Talk about a weekend from hell.

It began when Burton Nord was carjacked at gunpoint outside his Shadyside residence Saturday night.

And it ended Sunday evening when Nord paid $145, under protest, to get his car out of the city auto pound in Lawrenceville after getting into an argument with police there.

In between, city police made three quick arrests and recovered his 2003 Toyota Avalon in the Hill District.

The undamaged car was taken to the tow pound after it was processed for evidence by the city auto theft squad. At that point, Nord learned that, even as a crime victim, he couldn't claim his car unless he produced $145.

"A robber took all my money. Luckily, he didn't take my wallet or the car would still be there," fumed Nord, who paid the tow pound fee with a credit card and was so angry that he threatened to sue the city for harassment.

City officials said the only way Nord could have gotten the car out of the pound without paying the fee was to get special permission from Police Chief Robert W. McNeilly Jr.

Nord said no one told him about that option, which would have meant that the car couldn't have been claimed until yesterday.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/pp/04223/359277.stm

[amber dog democrat]

1. My Honda Civic was stolen from in front of my house.

Whle I was on vacation in London. On return i had to pay 250.00 to get it out of impoundment. + a 50.00 towing fee ( the ignition switch was demosished so I was not drivable ).

None of this is covered by insurance.

[hlthe2b]

2. Did you get it back?

On edit, if not, why?

[amber dog democrat]

3. Sorry, I thought i explained.. but yes.

I had no clue where my car was until the police, taking my report told me where it was found abandoned and where I could pay to get it out of impoundment.

It was one of those " Dude, where's my car? " moments.
I should count my self lucky it was not damaged even more thatn is was.

[anti_shrub]

4. Before I clicked, I knew this would be in Pittsburgh

We're so broke I'm awaiting the day they pass an air tax on all the city oxygen being used by commuters and non-residents.

It's re-god-damn-diculous how bad things are getting here....