Breaking News: Senate Passes HB2571, Goes To Governor

I am so pleased that the Texas Legislature has answered the thousands of victims who's vehicles were illegal towed all over our State by passing HB2571. Those wrecker drivers who over and over again take advantage of motorists will be subject to immediate arrest for their criminal acts. Their tow truck will be impounded and TDLR will suspend the operator's license.

The towing scams involving tractor trailers, forcing their operators to pay in access of a $1000.00, when their trucks were outright stolen, based on the fact the towing company "gave" kickbacks to the property owner/manager in exchange for the authorization to tow vehicles from their property.

The recent towing scam in Austin, involving Central Towing, to which it's owner was arrested, is a prime example of how law enforcement agencies across the State should address the criminal illegal towing in their community.

Come May 1, 2010, the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation will established maximum fees towing companies can charge vehicle owners or operators. This should stop the abusive charges that many vehicle owners cannot afford.

Once again, the Texas Towing Law, which originated in 1992 has been amended once again that will finally hold towing companies and parking facility owners criminally responsible for the action. In addition, a parking facility will be liable to a vehicle owner for $1000.00 plus triple damages for violating the Towing Law, Occupation Code 2308.251, in addition to attorney fees. This alone should make property managers think twice before asking for or accepting something free from a towing company.

This is a win win for parking facility owners and towing companies, as competition will become fair, because sacrificing their integrity for the sake of profit, will cost violators their freedom and huge sums of money.

Vehicle owners will have even more rights now, as the vehicle storage facility will be required to provide the name of the "person" who authorized the tow.

For further information on how HB2571 will drastically change the landscape of the Texas Towing Law, click here for that information.

Two More Wrecker Drivers Arrested

Two local towing companies had to retrieve their tow trucks from the city impound, after their drivers were arrested for outstanding warrants. One wrecker driver had 1 traffic and 4 city ordinance violation warrants, while the other had two felony theft (illegal tow) warrants and 5 traffic warrants.

Wrecker drivers towing vehicles from private parking lot within the city limits of Austin best heed the warning, because APD knows the rules and is enforcing them.

So, the next time, you demand money your not entitled to, just remember that person could be an undercover police officer.

Towing Company Owner Arrested This Morning

Donald Creamer, President of Central Towing Inc of Austin, Texas was arrested this morning at 9:00am by Austin Police Officers at Mopac and William Cannon. Creamer is currently sitting in the Travis County Jail with a $10,000.00 bond. Now is the time, for any victim burned by this towing company, to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-5000 or 311.

There is no reason not to believe their are more victims of illegal towing by the company.

Felony Arrest Warrant Issued for Central Towing Inc President/Owner

The towing scam that happened over a three day period at a Whataburger located in Austin, Texas during the South by Southwest Music Festival that involved Central Towing Inc, TDLR License No. 05672220C, has resulted in a felony arrest warrant being issued today for its company President, Donald Creamer. (D1DC-09301068)

The President of the Austin Towing Association, Reid Courtney, told me recently in a telephone call, that Central was not a member of their organization, yet the Creamers, Donald and Catherine attend association meetings. Regardless, Central Towing is listed within the Austin Towing Association website.

This criminal conduct by Central Towing's owners, employees, spotters and drivers are no different than their counterparts, who operate a very unscrupulous business. Their day is coming, when they also will have an arrest warrant with their name on it.

Towing companies who prey on consumers and operate outside the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in Austin, Texas.

It's always wise to call 311 or 512-974-5000 and file an offense report for an illegal tow, if towed from a parking facility within the city limits of Austin, because of ongoing criminal activity by select towing companies.

The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation is aware of this warrant being issued and the actions of this company should result in sanctions and fines. I know the Texas Attorney General is further pursuing action against Central's owners for a previous towing company that was shutdown.