Bad-faith Operators and Operations Are Spreading

Editor’s note: Industry stakeholders and observers in Ontario and other provinces have been warning the industry for some time that issues with bad-faith operators aren’t going to remain solely in Ontario. A series of incidents in Alberta last year have highlighted this reality, prompting Edmonton Police Services, for example, to issue public warnings through social media. In other news, bad-faith operators seem to be getting more and more creative with respect to landing tows. Note the Dryden incident below.

Police charge tow truck owner after vehicle theft

Media release, Edmonton Police Service (October 23, 2024)

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a male after the conclusion of an investigation into a vehicle that was stolen by a tow truck company’s sole owner/operator.

In late June 2024, the EPS launched an investigation into the business practices of an Edmonton-based tow truck company owner.

Reportedly, on June 24, 2024, a collision occurred between two vehicles in the area of 139 Avenue and Castledowns Road. A tow truck operator arrived unsolicited on scene and the damaged vehicle was towed to a storage lot. It was reported that the company’s operator would only release the vehicle with a towing fee payment provided by an insurance company. Thankfully, the vehicle was returned to its owner.

On October 7, 2024, the operator was charged with theft over $5,000.

“Edmontonians have the right to select the tow truck company of their choice when they are involved in a collision,” said Sgt. Kerry Bates with EPS’ Traffic Safety Unit. “When towing companies show up unannounced to collisions, that’s a red flag. Trust your intuition and call police immediately if a towing company is attempting to move your vehicle without your consent.”

A court date was set for November 4, 2024.

Source: Edmonton Police Services Media Relations. (2024, October 23). Police charge tow truck owner after vehicle theft (MRU#: 24R083). Accessed January 3, 2025.

Don’t get hooked!

Facebook post, Edmonton Police Service (December 28, 2024)

Editor’s note: Edmonton Police Services (EPS) has been circulating bad-faith operator warnings such as this on social media.

Edmontonians have the right to select the tow truck company of their choice when they are involved in a collision. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • When towing companies arrive unannounced to the scene of a collision, that’s a red flag.
  • Trust your intuition.
  • Call police immediately if a towing company is attempting to move your vehicle without your consent.
  • If you believe a tow truck company has taken your vehicle, call the Seized Vehicle Section at 780-496-8668 before you make a police report to see if your vehicle is there.

Don’t get hooked!

Source: Edmonton Police Services (2024, December 18, 11:00 a.m.). Edmontonians have the right to select the tow truck company of their choice when they are involved in a collision. Facebook. Accessed January 3, 2025.
Thanks to recent incidents, Edmonton Police Services (EPS) has been posting public warnings such as this on social media—Don’t Get Hooked!

Tow company representative impersonates law enforcement

Media release, Ontario Provincial Police (December 27, 2024)

One person has been charged for allegedly impersonating a peace officer in relation to a towing incident in Dryden, Ontario.

On April 26, 2024, members of the Dryen Attachment of the Ontario Provincial Police  (OPP) responded to a collision in the middle of Highway 17.

“Through the investigation, it was learned that the towing company attending the scene was not the towing company dispatched by police. Further investigation also revealed that a representative of the towing company impersonated law enforcement in order to attend the scene instead of another towing company that had been dispatched by the police.”

A 41-year-old southern Ontario resident has been charged, and the accused is scheduled to appear before the Dryden Ontario Court of Justice on January 20, 2025.

Sources: Shaw, N. (2024, December 28). Mississauga resident arrested for impersonating Dryden Opp. NWONewsWatch.com; and Bertrand, D. (2024, December 28). Mississauga tow truck driver charged with impersonating a cop in northern ONT. CTV News Northern Ontario. Accessed January 3, 2025.