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01/13/2009 03:29 PM

NY1 For You: Mystery Official Orders Wrongful Bronx Towing

By: Susan Jhun

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When NY1 For You helped a disabled man whose car was wrongfully ticketed and then towed in an area surrounding Yankee Stadium, the investigative unit uncovered more questions than answers. NY1's Susan Jhun filed the following report.

When Daniel Ilie parked his car outside of Yankee Stadium in September, he wasn't worried about leaving it in a "No Parking Zone" since his city Permit for People with Disabilities should have allowed him to park there.

"When I came out, much to my dismay, my car was not here anymore," said Ilie.

Did Crown Towing Take Your Car?

If you have had a problem with Crown Towing, NY1 For You would like to hear from you. Call the 24-hour NY1 hotline at 1-212-379-3599 or email ny1foryou@ny1.com.

Ilie's car had been towed, and to make matters worse, it had been towed clear across town.

"I'm physically challenged and this was a huge inconvenience to go to the other side of The Bronx, and luckily I had money because they didn't accept credit card," he says.

Once Ilie retrieved his car he found a summons, which he easily got dismissed. However, Crown Towing, the city and tow company refused to reimburse the $108 towing fee.

"It's not really about the money, it's the principle," says Ilie.

NY1 called Crown Towing and they claimed the police requested they tow Ilie's car. However, a NYPD spokesman told NY1 that they had no record of requesting that tow and that Crown Towing is not authorized to tow on their behalf.

Furthermore, the police have their own tow trucks and a lot right around the corner from the stadium, much closer than Crown Towing's lot.

<i>NY1 For You:</i> Mystery Official Orders Wrongful Bronx Towing
When NY1 share this information with Crown Towing, the company declined to comment. They also would not say who had authorized the towing.

The lost towing fee aside, Ilie says he feels lucky he was able to recover his car that night, but knows others may not have been as fortunate.

"It could have been somebody in a wheelchair who would never have been able to get to the other side of the Bronx," he says.

If you'd like "NY1 For You" to look into a problem, call our 24-hour helpline at 212-379-3599 or send an email to ny1foryou@ny1.com.

Need Help From NY1 For You?

If you'd like "NY1 For You" to look into a problem, call our 24-hour helpline at 212-379-3599 or send an e-mail to ny1foryou@ny1.com.