“Bandit” tow truck operators are allegedly prowling Los Angeles crash scenes, trying to swoop in earlier than reliable tow firms and take management of autos from shaken-up drivers.
The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station just lately stopped a tow truck close to La Brea Avenue and Fountain Avenue after deputies noticed a string of purple flags.
“If you happen to’re ever in a collision, shield your self,” LASD WeHo warns. “Solely work with a tow firm your insurance coverage supplier or the responding deputy recommends. Reliable operators show an organization title and allow quantity. By no means let a truck take your car should you didn’t name for it.”
The truck had no firm title or emblem.
The motive force was reportedly soliciting a motorist on the scene of a visitors collision, in accordance with police.
Deputies allegedly discovered extra bother once they found the truck’s registration expired in 2014.
The motive force was additionally allegedly carrying a police scanner, which the station says bandit tow operators use to watch emergency communications and race reliable tow firms to crash scenes.
The suspect was arrested for unlawful towing and possession of a police scanner.
And authorities say the issue goes far past one truck.
The LAPD has acknowledged that there are doubtless tons of of bandit tow truck firms working throughout LA.
The operators allegedly goal busy freeways and main intersections the place crashes occur most frequently. The I-5, I-10, I-405 and US-101 are described as prime looking grounds.
Rental vehicles and vacationers are additionally allegedly focused.
Out-of-state drivers could also be much less acquainted with native towing guidelines and simpler to deceive throughout the confusion of a crash.
The alleged rip-off can proceed lengthy after the tow truck leaves the scene.
Operators can allegedly decide up a car in a single county and take it to a different space or a hidden yard earlier than the driving force realizes what occurred.
California authorities have tried to crack down.
The California Freeway Patrol repeatedly launches joint activity forces with native police to raid predatory yards throughout Southern California.
The California Bureau of Automotive Restore has additionally shut down native auto physique retailers, together with LA Customized Collision, over alleged partnerships with unlawful tow vehicles.
California Meeting Invoice 1263 was handed and signed into regulation on Oct. 10, 2023.
The regulation offers the Bureau of Automotive Restore extra energy to crack down on unlawful towing storage charges and predatory rings.
However new legal guidelines haven’t stopped alleged bandit operators from displaying up the place susceptible drivers are least ready to struggle again.
The sheriff’s recommendation is blunt.
Drivers ought to solely use a tow firm really useful by their insurance coverage supplier or the responding deputy.
Reliable operators show an organization title and allow quantity.
