WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Advantage Towing & Recovery Inc. is being investigated by the Gainesville Police Department after multiple complaints from Gainesville residents.
The towing company, located at 907 SW Third St., was served with a search warrant Thursday morning, said GPD Spokesman Officer Ben Tobias.
GPD officers and detectives were looking for additional evidence into crimes including improper lien or title transfer, improper or illegal tow and grand theft auto, Tobias wrote in an email.
During the search, police looked through vehicles and records to see if the company followed the law, said GPD Towing Administrator Officer Jeff McAdams.
Ninety percent of the time, McAdams said, tow complaints are invalid.
“My job as tow administrator for the city of Gainesville, appointed by the chief of police, is to make sure that the tow companies are following the rules that are outlines in the city ordinance and the state statute,” he said.
McAdams said one specific case they were looking into regarding Advantage Towing was a vehicle reported as stolen in March 2012. He said that vehicle was picked up by Advantage and remained on its property as recently as a few weeks ago. The vehicle, which was listed as stolen by GPD through that entire time, was then titled into the name of Advantage Towing.
He said so far, no one from the company has hindered the investigation.
Samantha Dean wrote this story online.
