Tow Truck Treachery

Nov. 28, 2005 — -- Tow truck drivers often arrive on the scene to help someone whose car has refused to move an inch further.

However, some are predators, looking for motorists in need to exploit. It's surprisingly easy, especially since 23 states have no laws about towing vehicles from private parking lots.

The Los Angeles Police Department has been cracking down on rogue tow truck drivers.

"It's a public safety issue," said Lt. Andre Dawson. "We have truck operators that are taking vehicles and leaving people stranded."

California has some of the toughest towing regulations in the country. A parking lot owner must be present to authorize a tow and cars can only be towed from a parking lot after one hour. Tow truck drivers must release a car if the owner comes back while his or her car is still in the lot. But sometimes people pretend to be managers and often, tow truck drivers ignore the law and drive off with someone's car even after he or she has returned to the scene.

In Orange County, Calif., Leoncio Flores was run over and killed by a tow truck when he tried to stop a driver from taking his car. His family said the SUV was in a no parking zone for a few minutes so they could unload their groceries.

"I saw him laying down on the street, and the paramedics were cutting off his pants," said Flores' daughter, Yuridia Anguino. "I saw bruises all across his chest."

The tow truck driver, Paul Sassenberger, is charged with vehicular manslaughter and with using methamphetamine, as well as 22 crimes for other towing incidents.

The Towing and Recovery Association of America says it "does not condone predatory towing" and illegal tows are "isolated incidents … that do not reflect the practices of the vast majority of towers."

There are several typical tactics that dishonest tow truck drivers might use: