Can police hold your cars at a private impound lot until the lot claims them for the fees? Or was the tow lot lying to distract me to claim my cars?

Jurisdiction
Pennsylvania
Towing dispute October 22, 2024 westmoreland county Greensburg pa state police illegally towed my car's (5).(1) part of my mom's estate willed to me (6)belonging to a woman who was living with me now deceased. They did it because I wouldn't let them search my house. And they had no legal reason to do so. They sent citations in the mail saying titles not changed within 20 days of purchase. I know, 2 of my vehicles were completely road legal. The other 3 I did still have to send in for the new title but they weren't being driven and I did not receive the titles within 20 days of purchase.. And I got citations for all Jessica's cars too saying the same thing. But she had passed away October 8th. That is only 14 days. Not 20 as they claimed on the citations.. Thats 8 out of 11 of the vehicles that never should have been considered to leave my property, this shows they did not investigate it properly to take such a large amount of my property in the first place. Now I called the towing company the next day and they wanted $7000 for tow and storage. The cars are still there. I cannot afford the bill its $80,000now. They are charging for days they are not opened and won't let me access my vehicles to get my belongings out. This towing co has told me the police had them holding the cars for a Investigation. i assumed this to mean pending charges, so I could not call the police without an attorney. No low income law place will help I don't get criminal charges. 101 days they have had my cars. I was such a emotional mess lost my mind. Now that I have it back im extremely pissed off. That this tow co has been lying to me as they knew I did not want to talk to police b/c they violated my rights And we're just gonna press me for a reason to say that the tow is legal. I've called the police. They told me the only person. With information about if they're being held or not. Is the in individual officer and I can't get ahold of him. I left him voicemail's. I just want to be sure that I'm going after the right person and make sure there's not ahold on my vehicles? Or That there has not been ahold on my vehicle because they have been claimed by the towing company. They cant be held by police till they are claimed by the tow yard can they? Because I'm so tired of going through case texts and regulations. And this and that. It's been a 100 days of torture and anguish on a wild goose chase i just need some clarification to make sure im going after the right people. This is a state police officer part of a vice unit. Who initiated the tow if that helps. If anything here doesn't make any sense. They wanted me to become a snitch and help them work for them to set up drug dealers and buy drugs for them. I told them no, they did not like this at all. So they ruined my life, but still better than being a snitch. I just need to know if this tow yard had been playing head games with me or if the police may have been holding then for 100 days till they were claimed by the tow yard. Why did they come to my home in the first place based on either an anonymous tip. Or a tip from a neighbor, he said it was an anonymous tip from a neighbor which makes no sense. None of this makes any sense.I've been trying to unravel it and I'm done trying to unravel it.Now I just have to do something about it. Why 11 cars you might ask? Well, I'm a mechanic and I figured I could buy cars that needed work for cheap and sell them and make some $$ problem is that I have no money for an attorney right now. All my tools were in my cars so I can't make any money. I was not driving or seen driving any vehicles that are not road legal. I was working on a car in my driveway when the arrived. Why did I let them do this? I did not have a choice when they came and surrounded the car. I was sitting inside playing with a diagnostic scanner. And I got out and they asked me my name and I told them that it was me and they handcuffed me took my phone immediately detained me. Also $580 for a short tow per car and $75 a day for storage is this excessive? The cops gave them my keys they took when they detained me. All they did was drive the cars on to the tow trucks they all ran fine. Can they drive my cars like that?
Or I could say they were all customers cars since the titles aren't completely changed yet on most. Got them from auction. Any advice is helpful including things I should leave out to for the sake of liability.
Why buy so many cars with no $ to do titles, Well, for the ones that were mine, I did not receive the titles. The place I got them from did not produce them in 20 days. From when I picked up the vehicles. And I did have enough money. But these accusations from a neighbor got the woman who was living with me kid taken away by cys. She had just lost her older son a year prior in a house fire. I spent $7500 on attorneys for family court. There was a police officer here when cys took the kid. The case worker would not come in my house. The police officer asked to check inside my home because he said something didn't seem right. And he checked my entire house and he said its fine. There's no reason she should have taken him for living conditions. The cop said he thought the case worker had something against jess. Sorry for all the extra info just clarifying I'm not a pos as im sure it seem without it.
 
Your issue is far too complex, complicated, and convoluted to seek resolution by internet volunteers, many of them aren't attorneys, licensed to practice law in PA.

If you wish to seek a REAL LEGAL RESOLUTION, you'll need to retain the services of a PA licensed attorney.
 
My initial reaction, without reading, was "Dude, quit the meth."

Who initiated the tow if that helps. If anything here doesn't make any sense. They wanted me to become a snitch and help them work for them to set up drug dealers and buy drugs for them. I told them no, they did not like this at all. So they ruined my life, but still better than being a snitch. I just need to know if this tow yard had been playing head games with me or if the police may have been holding then for 100 days till they were claimed by the tow yard. Why did they come to my home in the first place based on either an anonymous tip. Or a tip from a neighbor, he said it was an anonymous tip from a neighbor which makes no sense. None of this makes any sense.I've been trying to unravel it and I'm done trying to unravel it.Now I just have to do something about it.

My legal device: get into rehab and stop using drugs.

You are in denial. You do not realize how your addiction and drug use is obvious. ALL of your problems stem from your addiction. Therefore the first step in "unravelling" your mess is eliminating the primary cause.

Start here: PA Dept of Drug and Alcohol Programs

I'm glad that poor child is out of your place, as I suspect that the fire that killed the older boy was related to the drug use of the adults in his household.
 
Thank you for telling me I sound like a crazy person. I needed that. Since losing my family, I have no one to communicate with or reassure my suspicions, leaving me unsure of everything anymore.

Towing dispute October 22, 2024, Westmoreland County Greensburg pa State police illegally towed 5 of my cars.1 part of my mom's estate was willed to me. 6 belonging to a woman that was living with me who had passed away. They did it because I wouldn't let them search my house. They had no legal reason to do so.

Can they legally tow cars that aren't mine from my property?

They sent 9 traffic citations in the mail for not completing the transfer of ownership within 20 days of purchase. 2 of my vehicles were completely road legal. The other 3 I did still have to send in for the new titles. They weren't being driven, and the business I bought them from did not produce the titles within 20 days of purchase.

Can they cite me for cars that aren't technically mine?

I called the towing company the next day, and they wanted $7000 for tow and storage. It's now $80,000 they are charging for days they are not open and won't let me access my vehicles. This towing yard has told me the police had them holding the cars for an investigation. Normally, that means pending charges, leaving me reluctant to call the police without an attorney.

I feel the tow yard has taken advantage of my emotional state, and the fact I did not want to talk to the police, since they violated my rights, and we're just going to press me for a reason to say that the tow is legal. Since I have tried calling the police, I can't get ahold of the officer who towed them.

Can cars be held by police till they are claimed by the tow yard, and without notifying me?

They came to my home after a tip from a neighbor. They asked me to be a CI. I told them I couldn't help. I don't know drug dealers. This left me unable to work. All my tools are in the vehicles.
 
Can cars be held by police till they are claimed by the tow yard, and without notifying me?




Here's the PA Statute which authorizes/allows police ordered vehicle towing and storage fees!

Title 75


§ 6309.2. Immobilization, towing and storage of vehicle for driving without operating privileges or registration.

(a) General rule.--Subject to subsection (d), the following shall apply:

(1) If a person operates a motor vehicle or combination on a highway or trafficway of this Commonwealth while the person's operating privilege is suspended, revoked, canceled, recalled or disqualified or where the person is unlicensed, as verified by an appropriate law enforcement officer in cooperation with the department, the law enforcement officer shall immobilize the vehicle or combination or, in the interest of public safety, direct that the vehicle be towed and stored by the appropriate towing and storage agent pursuant to subsection (c), and the appropriate judicial authority shall be so notified.

(2) If a motor vehicle or combination for which there is no valid registration or for which the registration is suspended, as verified by an appropriate law enforcement officer, is operated on a highway or trafficway of this Commonwealth, the law enforcement officer shall immobilize the motor vehicle or combination or, in the interest of public safety, direct that the vehicle be towed and stored by the appropriate towing and storing agent pursuant to subsection (c), and the appropriate judicial authority shall be so notified.

(b) Procedure upon immobilization.--

(1) When a vehicle is immobilized pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the operator of the vehicle may appear before the appropriate judicial authority within 24 hours from the time the vehicle was immobilized. The appropriate judicial authority may issue a certificate of release upon:

(i) the furnishing of proof of registration and financial responsibility by the owner of the vehicle; and

(ii) receipt of evidence that the operator of the vehicle has complied with the pertinent provisions of Title 42 (relating to judiciary and judicial procedure) and this title.

(2) When a vehicle is immobilized pursuant to subsection (a)(2), the owner of the vehicle may appear before the appropriate judicial authority within 24 hours from the time the vehicle was immobilized. The appropriate judicial authority may issue a certificate of release upon:

(i) the furnishing of proof of registration and financial responsibility by the owner of the vehicle; and

(ii) receipt of evidence that the operator of the vehicle has complied with the pertinent provisions of Title 42 and this title.

(3) If a certification of release is not obtained within 24 hours from the time the vehicle was immobilized, the vehicle shall be towed and stored by the appropriate towing and storage agent under subsection (c).

(c) Procedure upon towing and storage.--

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the following steps shall be taken:

(i) The appropriate judicial authority shall notify the appropriate law enforcement officer of the county in which the violation occurred.

(ii) The officer notified under subparagraph (i) shall notify the appropriate towing and storage agent to tow and store the vehicle or combination and provide notice by the most expeditious means and by first class mail, proof of service, of the towing, storage and location of the vehicle or combination to the owner of the vehicle or combination and any lienholder and, if applicable, the owner of the load, if the names and addresses of the owner and any lienholder are known or can be ascertained by investigation.

(2) In a city of the first class, the following steps shall be taken:

(i) The appropriate judicial authority or appropriate law enforcement officer shall notify the appropriate towing and storage agent.

(ii) The appropriate towing and storage agent shall tow and store the vehicle or combination and provide notice by first class mail, proof of mailing, of the towing, storage and location of the vehicle or combination to the owner and the lienholder of the vehicle or combination using a reasonably available State database.

(d) Recovery of towed and stored vehicle.--

(1) The owner or lienholder of any vehicle or combination which has been towed and stored under this section may obtain possession of the vehicle or combination by:

(i) furnishing proof of valid registration and financial responsibility; and

(ii) (A) if the towing and storage resulted from the operation of the vehicle or combination by the owner, paying all fines and costs associated with the towing and storage of the vehicle or combination and any other than outstanding fines and costs of the owner or making arrangements with the appropriate judicial authority to make payments of all other outstanding fines and costs immediately or, in the discretion of the appropriate judicial authority, by installments as provided by the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedures; or

(B) if the towing and storage resulted from the operation of the vehicle or combination by a party other than the owner, paying all costs associated with the towing and storage of the vehicle or combination and fines associated with citations issued by the law enforcement officer related to the towing and storage and any other outstanding fines and costs of the owner or making arrangements with the appropriate judicial authority to make payments of all such fines and costs or, in the discretion of the appropriate judicial authority, by installments as provided by the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(1.1) In cities of the first class, the appropriate judicial authority shall not issue an order for the release of any vehicle towed and stored pursuant to this section until provisions are made for payment of all fines and penalties associated with violations of any local parking regulation or ordinance or applicable section of this chapter or Chapter 61 (relating to powers of department and local authorities).

(2) Any vehicle not recovered under this subsection may be sold as an unclaimed vehicle, combination or load under section 6310 (relating to disposition of impounded vehicles, combinations and loads). The proceeds of the sale shall be applied to the payment of the fines and costs associated with the towing and storage of the vehicle.

(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Appropriate judicial authority." In counties of the first class, the Philadelphia Traffic Court. In all other counties, the magisterial district judge in whose district the violation occurred.

"Appropriate towing and storage agent." In counties of the first class, the Philadelphia Parking Authority or its authorized agent. In other municipalities, a towing and storage agent designated by local ordinance.

"Costs." The term shall include reasonable fees.

(July 2, 1996, P.L.535, No.93; Dec. 10, 1996, P.L.925, No.149, eff. imd.; Oct. 4, 2002, P.L.845, No.123, eff. imd.; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days; July 14, 2005, P.L.285, No.50, eff. 60 days)



 
Back
Top