Call Kurtis: Stolen Car Victim Says She Was Victimized Twice By Tow Charges

LOCKEFORD (CBS13) We've heard from viewers over the years upset after their stolen cars were found, they ended up stuck with huge tow fees. Sarah Protz couldn't afford them and ended up having to sign her Jeep over to the tow yard.

The jeep was found stripped near a vineyard in San Joaquin County.

"It's absolutely not drivable," said Protz.

The California Highway Patrol had it towed to City Wide Towing of Lodi where she learned, she'd have to pay more than $300 to get it out. If she couldn't come up with that money, it would cost $50 a day to store it.

It's money this mom who lives paycheck to paycheck as a crossing guard says she doesn't have.

"It was stolen from our driveway and now we have to pay makes me angry," said Protz.

Sarah thinks the CHP officer should've called and given her the option to pick up the Jeep from the vineyard.

"They should have looked at his number and called us and say your Jeep is found," she said. "What do you want us to do?"

The CHP says its policy is to tell owners when stolen vehicles are found if the person is close by. But Officer James Smith says this case was different because Sarah's car was found on private property.

"The vehicle was not drivable and we have a duty to remove it as quickly as possible," said Officer Smith.

We turned to George Little who's towed cars for four decades. He didn't tow Sarah's Jeep, but says on his lot the owners of more than half of these vehicles will never pay him a penny."

George says there's one way someone may not feel victimized twice. "Get their car insured and be responsible and if they don't want to be responsible, pay the price," Little said. "That's all I can say."

Sarah only had the basic liability insurance in case she caused an accident. She would've been covered if she had full coverage including fire, theft and towing.

"It's something I guess I never thought of", said Protz.

With her tow and storage bill growing to $577, Sarah ended up signing over her jeep to City Wide Towing and even then still had to pay $247 to settle the bill.

"I feel that money is totally wasted, absolutely," said Protz.

Some want a law giving you options so you don't get victimized twice. Sarah has now upped the coverage on her family's remaining car.

Fortunately, she can walk to work so this hasn't affected her job as a crossing guard.

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