Salinas tow company owner could face jail time for illegal towing
The owner of a Salinas towing company has opted not to tow vehicles illegally in the area.
This week, a Monterey County judge accepted Marco Damian’s exclusion requests for five counts of driving illegally. By not imputing, Damian accepted a conviction for the charges.
Damian, the owner of MD Towing, towed vehicles from lots that local businesses never asked to be towed, Monterey County prosecutors said. Towing companies may not authorize their own trailers, except in the event that a car is parked on a fire lane or is blocking the entry or exit of a private property, according to state law.
Damian is expected to pay about $ 4,575 in restitution to the victims. He is awaiting sentencing and could face up to five years and eight months in prison.
Residents have turned to social media to express that this is not the first time they have seen illegal towing in their neighborhoods.
Last year, prosecutors filed criminal and civil charges against another Salinas-based towing company accused of carrying out predatory towing schemes.
A vehicle theft and extortion complaint has been filed against Mark Gunderson, owner and operator of Hankins Towing, Inc. and Response Team Security. Prosecutors said RTS “illegally started” more than 1,000 trailers that Hankins Towing complied with at the time and that RTS guards received a bonus for starting trailers.
In the same year, a criminal complaint was filed against Damian for vehicle theft and extortion.
“Laws governing privately owned trailers exist to protect the public, especially low-income consumers who are disproportionately affected by predatory towing practices.” District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni testified at the time of the filing. “If towing operators engage in a pattern or practice of illegal conduct, the Prosecutor’s Office will prosecute.”
Salinas tow company owner could face jail time for illegal towing Source link Salinas tow company owner could face jail time for illegal towing
