Tow truck driving is an essential profession because there are times when people obstruct traffic and businesses with vehicles. However, some tow truck companies have been known to use predatory practices. Now, one in Missouri is facing charges and other hefty penalties for the crime of illegally towing cars. 

These people won’t be driving tow trucks for the foreseeable future

Most tow truck driving companies are locally owned, and many have family members in leadership professions. According to KCTV5, this is the case with Metro Tow and Transport in Kansas City, Missouri. However, the owner, Donald Adamson, 43, and his mother, Lannette Adamson, 63, are in hot water. Local prosecutors have filed 18 charges against the two for illegal towing practices spanning years. 

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said the tow truck driving company “acted in concert to allow the company to tow vehicles illegally without proper authorization; falsified required 4669 Forms; and made it extremely difficult for victims to retrieve their vehicles.” As mentioned, the company has faced numerous complaints for some time now. The complaints stemmed from excessive fees, owners having difficulty retrieving their cars, and the company considering vehicles abandoned when they were not. In some cases, the mother-son duo claimed ownership of the vehicles. 

Naturally, this tow truck driving company had several victims over the years. However, the most significant aspect of their crimes involved forged signatures. Specifically, they submitted paperwork with copies of signatures instead of the actual one, which the law requires. Additionally, there were instances where drivers showed up to pay and retrieve their cars but were not allowed to do so. Now, their charges include four counts of stealing, four counts of forgery, and one count of harassment. They are currently in the Jackson County Detention Center, with bonds of $ 100,000 each.