Tow Truck Troubles
Anyone who's thinking of having any kind of "dealings" with most tow operators are, quite frankly, nuts:
Three people have been charged in connection with an undercover Chicago Police investigation that targeted tow truck drivers stealing cars, stripping them for parts and selling them to scrap yards.
Javier Garcia-Cruz, 27, of Bolingbrook and Anthony McMorries, 52, and Jose Sanchez, 44, of Chicago, were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, police announced this afternoon. They could face additional charges, and police are searching for more suspects, Harrison Area property crimes Sgt. Joe Petrenko said during a news conference this evening.
"We're continuing the investigation, and we're uncovering new evidence as we go along," he said.
Labels: crime
posted by SCC at 12:05 AM
46 Comments:
Chromys towing, Redline towing. just to name a few. all their drivers are shithead gangbangers and these jags like to get cr's on the working police when they feel like they should be priveleged to get a tow without ever being called to a scene and are told to leave the poor citizen whose car just got involved in an accident to leave the scene. I'm sure its like this all over the city with these tow companies...
good I hope these jags finally get the freaking picture that we dont like you and get the book thrown at them
What else is new.
The city Department of Revenue cited and towed my vehicle from in front of my house where I've been parking for the last 9 years.
The city pond or tow truck driver cause hundreds of dollars of damage and I was basically told to go fuck myself -- just try and collect damages.
We'll tie your case up in courts until you're dead and in your grave.
That, my friends is the city that works. Robbing and raping the taxpayers..the clouted ones.
No help from city hall, the alderman, the inspector general, or the local district or even 911.
Just trying to work like everyone else and be a good citizen and for who knows why I was singled out for this bullshit.
Yeah. investigate the tow truck drivers and start out with the ones working for the highly clouted United Road Towing that runs the city auto pond.
one of my best friends is a tow operator, legit. no accident chasing, stealing cars, relocation, repossession, etc. straight towing, recovery, and transport. they get tons of tows stolen from them by the damn chasers lying and saying the work for the insurance. they try and give coppers, fireman, and military discounts. i used to tow as well so i know how the industry is. like everything else there is bad apples. the chasers got more into it when the city started nailing the board up crews at fire scenes for fraud among other things. so what did they do?? bought tow trucks and listened to the police scanner instead of the fire radio.
sure they will start diming out all the p.o.s they work with..
Yeah, I love these moron coppers getting on the zone asking "if there's a private tow out there to give me a hand". These losers are not your friends!
Chromies in Humboldt Park and SCUMBAGS!
Chromy's has an almost half-million dollar contract with the city to tow police and fire vehicles. What is wrong with that picture? Hellooooo, media? Some of the workers at the area 4 garage refer to Chromy's as "gangbanger towing'. So now the city rewards gangbangers with city contracts. Chromy also owns an auto body shop at 601 (or thereabouts) called Dr. Auto Body. Hmmmmm.
Tow trucks have been stealing cars for years in this town. What else is new.
Never call for a tow unless its a city tow and chase them away from an accideent scene at least until you are gone! That was you will never get your ass in hot water!
Anymore of the 25th district cops involved in this?
http://19thwardpolitics.blogspot.com/2011/12/blogger-exclusive-taxpayers-on-hook-for.html
Don't ask for a relo! Traffic being fucked up is not the end of the world! I never understood what the big deal was, wait for a city tow.
New state law as of last January that tow trucks are not permitted at accident scene unless called for by peace officer or person involved. Tow trucks are not even permitted to sit down the block from accisent scene. For those that want to write the tow trucks I included the State and MCC (ANOV) violations below.
TOW TRUCK VIOLATIONS
STATE CHARGES
(625 ILCS 5/11-1431)
Solicitations at
accident or disablement scene
prohibited.
(625 ILCS 5/18d-145)
Copy of Safety Relocator’s
Registration Certificate in cab
*must have*
(625 ILCS 5/18d-120)
Written disclosure to vehicle
owner/operator prior to towing
(not invoice)
(625 ILCS 5/12-215(b)(1)
Oscillating, rotating, flashing
lights on motor vehicle (Tow
Truck) when not towing
(625 ILCS 5/12-215(c)(1)
Blue oscillating, rotating,
flashing lights.
(625 ILCS 5/12-215(d)
Use of a combination of amber
and white oscillating, flashing,
rotating lights.
(625 ILCS 5/12-606(a)
Tow truck identification;
equipment; insurance:
Full tow name, address
(complete), telephone number
(min 2” high letter,
permanently affixed not
contrasting in color)
(625 ILCS 5/12-606(b)(1)
One or more brooms and shovels
(625 ILCS 5/12-606(b)(2)
One or more trash cans of at
least 5 gallon capacity
(625 ILCS 5/12-606(b)(3)
One fire extinguisher
(625 ILCS 5/12-606(c)
Removal of all glass and debris
from accident scene if towing
vehicle
(625 ILCS 5/12-606(d)
Copy of indemnity bond, insurance
policy or other proof of insurance
prescribed by Secretary of State
carried in cab (no less than
$500,000) *must have*
(625 ILCS 5/12-205)
Two red tail lamps required on
rear of towed vehicle if truck
red lights blocked.
(625 ILCS 5/3-413 (b)
Display of “Tow Truck” plate on
towed vehicle, failure to
display
M.C.C. VIOLATIONS (* ANOV can be given)
-*Soliciting business 10-8-510
-*Possession of police scanner
8-4-059
-Tow trucks – Equipment and
markings:
Amber light(s) on only when
towing/pushing a vehicle 9-44-040 (a) (1)
*Display of name, address
(complete), telephone,
owner/operator 2” minimum
height permanently affixed none
contrasting color
9-44-040 (a) (2)
*Equipped with at least one
cubic foot of sand or dirt,
one broom,one shovel, one
trash can and one fully
charged fire extinguisher 9-44-040 (a) (3)
*Remove all glass and debris
deposited by vehicle being
towed, spread Sand/dirt upon
public way from oil/grease
from car being towed
9-44-040 (b)
Tow truck operators insurance
*Must carry in cab and display
upon request from police
officer:($100,000 injury
person, $300,000 one accident,
$50,000 Damage property)
9-44-050
One of THE worst out there is Illinois Commercial towing, that used to be Chicago Towing Association. They use a parking lot next to the Citgo at Montrose and Cicero to store their cars. They dont even have city licenses or ICC numbers, let alone a towtruck. I dont know how these guys operate. Granted, there are a FEW, and i stress FEW good guys out there..
Real problem here: Junk yards bought the "scrap" cars for their metal without a vehicle title. Just like the junk yards that bought city sewer covers (that had City of Chicago written on them) for the metal.
The "scrap" yards themselves should also be charged criminally or at the very least, have their business license revoked.
We break into cars when we gotta,
With hammer and pickaxe and saw;
And they said this garage had no license;
But little care I for the law!
Our drivers are friendly and courteous;
Their good manners you always will get;
'Cause they all are recent graduates
Of the charm school in Joliet.
I see Chromys chasing accidents every day up and down Western, running red lights, driving 50+ right down the middle, etc.
RahmVision will catch them, right?
Start arresting these scumbag tow operators for soliciting. Potato head Quinn signed a bill last year prohibiting this sort of thing.
CHICAGO – Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig today commended Governor Pat Quinn for signing House Bill 4860 into law. The new law prohibits tow-truck operators from stopping at the scene of an accident and soliciting the owner or operator of the vehicle into using their towing services. The law will protect the rights of motorists and improve road safety by helping alleviate congestion at the scene of an accident.
“This law helps protect the rights of Illinois’ motorists and will improve safety on our roads,” said Governor Quinn. “We must do everything we can to keep our drivers safe, especially when they find themselves in a vulnerable situation.”
“We commend the Governor for signing this law to protect motorists from unwanted solicitors and to improve safety on Illinois roadways,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “This will help ensure a safer and more controlled environment at the scene of an accident.”
House Bill 4860, sponsored by Representative John D’Amico (D-Chicago) and Senator Michael Bond (D-Grayslake), prohibits tow-truck operators from stopping at the scene of a motor vehicle accident to solicit towing services. The new law requires that tow-truck operators must be called to action by a law enforcement officer or the owner or operator of the vehicle. Currently, tow truck owners and operators are allowed to solicit damaged and disabled vehicles along the roadside.
The new law amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and is effective immediately.
also keep an eye out for Brian Chandler with "4 SONS TOWING" He's a beefer, he'll sue you ,and he's just a scumbag in general!
004 Dist
Hey jobs are getting hard to find... I think your just being biased.....
(now can I get hired as a Trib reporter!!)
Hey jobs are getting hard to find... I think your just being biased.....
(now can I get hired as a Trib reporter!!)
There is a tow driver that has a newer black tow truck and a scanner. He likes to hang in the 023rd/019th/018th Districts. The guy also lives in the 023rd District (near Barry/Broadway). If this guy shows up at your accident scenes, TELL HIM TO LEAVE THE AREA PRONTO. you do not want to be on the 5 p.m. news. YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WARNED!!!!!
Thank you to the person who posted all the tow violations. I will start issuing tickets.
"also keep an eye out for Brian Chandler with "4 SONS TOWING" He's a beefer, he'll sue you ,and he's just a scumbag in general!"
he's in IDOC, doing 18 months for driving w/expired license; just brought to 26/Cal for a hearing on 3 theft cases (towing cars, then selling them to someone else)...
Some towns already have those tow truck violations on the books. Some friends (that work in the burbs) have mentioned them. I've seen guys going the opposite direction and once they see an accident they will turn their yellow lights on and hold up traffic to get into position. Sorry, unless I called you..or the owner of the vehicle called you, you are not taking the car ANYf--kin where.
I will let a wrecked car sit in the busiest intersection in the city all day if I have too. I'll never use these jag off tow operators. Let them beef all they want, don't CARE!
OT with regard to PAX 501. The Superintendent is a goof. Thank you and enough said. This guy needs to go before the G8/NATO.
also keep an eye out for Brian Chandler with "4 SONS TOWING" He's a beefer, he'll sue you ,and he's just a scumbag in general!
004 Dist
12/02/2011 12:52:00 PM
Brian is in prison now. Look it up. Maniac if there ever was one. Serving 3 years I think. He gone. But will be back when he gets out with "Brothers Towing 7" I think he'll be on.
Start arresting these scumbag tow operators for soliciting. Potato head Quinn signed a bill last year prohibiting this sort of thing.
CHICAGO – Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig today commended Governor Pat Quinn for signing House Bill 4860 into law. The new law prohibits tow-truck operators from stopping at the scene of an accident and soliciting the owner or operator of the vehicle into using their towing services. The law will protect the rights of motorists and improve road safety by helping alleviate congestion at the scene of an accident.
“This law helps protect the rights of Illinois’ motorists and will improve safety on our roads,” said Governor Quinn. “We must do everything we can to keep our drivers safe, especially when they find themselves in a vulnerable situation.”
“We commend the Governor for signing this law to protect motorists from unwanted solicitors and to improve safety on Illinois roadways,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “This will help ensure a safer and more controlled environment at the scene of an accident.”
House Bill 4860, sponsored by Representative John D’Amico (D-Chicago) and Senator Michael Bond (D-Grayslake), prohibits tow-truck operators from stopping at the scene of a motor vehicle accident to solicit towing services. The new law requires that tow-truck operators must be called to action by a law enforcement officer or the owner or operator of the vehicle. Currently, tow truck owners and operators are allowed to solicit damaged and disabled vehicles along the roadside.
The new law amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and is effective immediately.
12/02/2011 11:43:00 AM
Last time I knew, a bill was passed, but the only ones who had enforcement authority was the ICC.Similar bills passed a couple years ago. I would appreciate any info about enforcement and statutes to charge. No snide comments please, we're all on the same side. Don't want anyone to get jammed up. These guys are slugs. Warn motorists not to allow them to tow. Many show up with "AAA" stickers on their trucks, when they are not affiliated with "AAA" at all. Many tell motorists, "yeah, your insurance called me to tow you." They are the scum of the earth. Tell citizens to never, ever, ever, let anyone who approaches them at an accident scene to tow them. Period. They'd be better off getting a city tow to the pound and then let the insurance adjuster take it from there. These guys are predators, plain and simple.
Anonymous said...
Real problem here: Junk yards bought the "scrap" cars for their metal without a vehicle title. Just like the junk yards that bought city sewer covers (that had City of Chicago written on them) for the metal.
The "scrap" yards themselves should also be charged criminally or at the very least, have their business license revoked.
12/02/2011 10:32:00 AM
They are if undocumented vehicle is accepted. Scrap yards cooperated in this investigation. I'm sure you know this and are aware of all facets of the investigation.
Aye... These mooks buzz around an accident scene like flies around freshly stepped in dog pile...
*One very firmly embedded, completely beshat suede purple playah pump & one hastily discarded pimp sock*
(Yeah... We've seen the heavy hitters strolling out of Poly's with pimp socks on a pants hanger under a plastic bag. The things you see on this job! :^)
There was one idiot from Chromy's claiming to be somebody's C.I. a few years back...
Most likely part of the first spasm of concentrated nonsense in 025/014 that got some coppers jammed like jelly-rolls...
...And here it is years later and coppers are still playing footsie with these clowns.
Hard to work up sympathy when EVERYBODY knows these mouth-breathers are bad fucking news...
A BIG thanx to 12/02/2011 08:42:00 AM for putting together and posting his Tow Operator cheat sheet...
Thank you to the person who posted all the tow violations. I will start issuing tickets.
12/02/2011 04:32:00 PM
And when you have the driver in cuffs in the back of your squad...
Make sure the Tow Trucks illegally parked...and either get it for that...or Call Me...This Blogs favorite mouthbreather
12/02/2011 12:19:00 AM
Booted and then Towed it huh?
So...how many outstanding Tickets Did you have on that vehicle?
How many notices did you ignore from the City?
Trusting any of those tow drivers is tantamount to trusting Rahm. They'll both lie to you and fuck you in the end.
Hats off to Sgt PETERENKO. He is one of the last of a dying breed of real police sergeants who like to organize stings and stakeouts to arrest real criminals through real police work. He ran a few other operations in the past all of which netted a large group of thieves and recovered numerous stolen vehicles, Keep up the good work "sarg"
as for the "new" law. its OLD! the state of Illinois, and mostly all municipalities including chicago have a no solicitation law. if a tow truck solicits on the interstate and the troopers catch you..... they lock you up and impound your truck. i would love to get a contract with the city for towing police and fire vehicles. but it seems that you have to be a banger to get it. pattersons on the south side is gang bangers, at least the drivers are. they have a city and state contract. i run a smaller company and do everything legit. i have been involved with the police since i was 13 starting as a explorer. i am on the list for both CPD and CFD so hopefully one day ill share the uniform with you guys. until then i just move along and try to pay my bills. we dont chase accidents, those fuck heads steal tows from us all the time.
when you see them gang banger chasers, kick em off the scene and tell the drivers to call their own tow truck. the city towing program is a sham anyway. E&R called us trying to get us to tow for them for the city. so they charge x and pay us less. fuck them! plus doing shit to the pounds tears up your equipment and we dont like nasty looking trucks. it shines or its not ours.
to add to the law. the ICC Police (state) has the STV law. they must be registered or they can not operate in cook county at all. as well as the basic safety shit thats required on a tow truck.
ive towed many coppers and we usually try to help them out the best we can.
stay safe out there!
Maybe they ought to require background checks to be a tow truck driver.
Yousee guys and girls, we need a truck enforcement unit in this here big city. They had an overweight unit yeares back but all of the coppers were shaking down the trucks, many went away to camp, some quit, and some fired. Just drive around our city and see the Tow trucks not in compliance, where are the names on the trucks, totally tinted out windows, then the big trucks on Western
& Cicero, being driven by questionable people. How many coppers know about DOT rules and regulations, Who knows what a DOT Medical card is ? This dept. is penny wise and dollar foolish, they could control these renigades and make money on top of it,but we as coppers are lax, stating we don't have time to mess with tow trucks and big trucks.
Writing them a mover does nothing guys. You have to lock them up and tow their tow trucks. It's already being done in some districts and we should all do it in all 25.
What isn't being mentioned here is the fact that these chasers that show up at accident scenes are getting significant % based kickbacks from specific auto body places. That's ON TOP of the 500 buck 5 mile tow they scam.
One would think the feds would be interested. They are all into all kinds of different crap.
You charge them with:
625 ILCS 5/11-1431
Solicitations at
accident or disablement scene
prohibited
and/or (preferably both if it applies and it usually does)
MCC 10-5-510 Solicit Unlawful Business.
It's an arrest, 2 complaints and forward it to Department of Revenue thru police mail. 400 W. Superior. Make sure you write "NUISANCE TOW OPERATOR" on it.
Let those revenue people chew on these guys awhile. It works.
Tow their truck if you want. It sends the proper message, IMHO.
The scumbags on the North/ Northwest side are Illinois Commercial, Redline, Big City and D & G.
Anyone have other nominees, north side? south side?
Post em.
There needs to be organization, the gang bangers need to leave this business. Years back, the old timer chasers never chased in Tow trucks, they were always in cars. And they weren't gang bangers, always clout heavy guys/body shops who had the whole district in their pocket, including captains, commanders, Especially in 016,025,017. Times have changed though
OLD TIMER
Yousee guys and girls, we need a truck enforcement unit in this here big city. They had an overweight unit yeares back but all of the coppers were shaking down the trucks, many went away to camp, some quit, and some fired. Just drive around our city and see the Tow trucks not in compliance, where are the names on the trucks, totally tinted out windows, then the big trucks on Western
& Cicero, being driven by questionable people. How many coppers know about DOT rules and regulations, Who knows what a DOT Medical card is ? This dept. is penny wise and dollar foolish, they could control these renigades and make money on top of it,but we as coppers are lax, stating we don't have time to mess with tow trucks and big trucks.
12/04/2011 11:34:00 AM
i been saying this for years. The trucking /Towing industries have been running unchecked in Chicago forever. I would love to get the training and run checkpoints/safety checks in 010. Im sure most dont even have the proper license to drive.
Chromys towing, Redline towing. just to name a few.
--12/02/2011 12:17:00 AM
Name 'em all. Make a useful card to keep in the glove compartment.
That North Shore Towing/scrap yard/ cab company still running Evanston?
Use the direct-wired courtesy phone in St. Francis Hospital to get an elderly family member home after surgery and they send an unshaven, abusive, stinking drunk who literally can't follow Ridge Boulevard in a straight line.
Unforgettable...
to start on your list of chasers...
Redline
Chromys
D&G
Illinois Commercial
Big City
Arroyo (red flat bed dirty and beat up)
Citywide(chases the westside)
there are like 4-5 more on the tip of my tongue that have popped up in the last couple months.
as for the enforcement, i agree w/ it. there are WAY too many asshole thst dont have the proper license or common sense to drive a truck. i have a Class A and have driven semis and towed semis all around the country from here for the last 2 years til i got back into cars and equipment locally. any flatbed truck you need a NON-CDL Class C license to drive it, and most do not. anyting over 25,500 gvw you need a Class B CDL. if your towing or pulling anything over 10k you need a Class A. any CDL driver needs a DOT medical card on them.
if i am at an accident scene its because i was called by them or their insurance company. chasing is for lazy asses that dont wanna go out and make a real living doing towing and recovery. plus most of them couldnt tow themselves out of a fucking box. they are "drivers" not Operators. a good Towing Operator can do anything you throw at him from winching, to lifting, to roll overs, etc.
anyway enough for now, stay safe out there!
Redline towing charged me 2000 dollars 2 tow my vechicle from a accident im telling everybody dont use them
I think the problem is that these guys are making more money than coppers are making & some officers have a real problem with that. These guys figured out how to screw the insurance companies that been screwing the public for years. So do I feel bad or feel some type of way when they do so NO & at least these so called gangbangers are out working & not selling drugs or shooting people up. By the way Chromy's Towing Rocks & remember one day when your unit breaks down you will get the pleasure of being towed by them lol Good luck trying to impound their truck.
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