Pete's Towing Service, Newport News, VA scamming, ripping off military soldiers and sailors, police investigate.
My son is going through an awful situation with this towing service as I write this. My son was here in Florida for a funeral when his Navy Sailor friend used his car to ship out for the weekend. On Feb 7th, the car broke down on the highway between the Yorktowne and Fort Eustis exit. The Sailor notified the authorities that the car had broke down but he was shipping out and would take care of it as soon as possible. My son returned home on the 16th of February after his Grandfather's passing and returned to Norfolk, where he is stationed. He and his buddy sailor friend went to find out where the car was and found out on Wednesday the 19th, that Pete's Towing had the vehicle in Newport News. The charges for the tow and the storage to date are $559.00 as of today, the 20th. Because we could not find out who called in the tow, we had to make many phone calls to figure out what exactly was wrong with the car. Apparently the engine seized on the 1997 Nissan. I first called Pete's Towing and spoke to the owner who explained what the price covered and I explained the situation to her. Now after I told her he is a US Army Soldier stationed in Norfolk, she said, as if she was disgusted dealing with our military, it sounded as a sneer as the mention to military. After I pleaded and begged her to help us out, since he doesn't make a lot of money, she said here's what I can do. He brings us $280.00 today, the title and keys and we will let him get his personal belongings. Are you kidding me? This is unlawful! I called the Newport News Police Department for help. They took my son's VIN and are trying to help me with this situation. The VA State Police actually had the car towed, but my son said they called the Newport News Police Station to find out where the car was. While I was on the phone with a Sgt. From the Police station, Pete's towing called me and asked my why I called the Newport News Police station, I explained I was trying to find how my son's car was towed. After a brief conversation she said the Deal is Off... Meaning he could not get his personal effects unless he paid in full. I later talked to the NN Police Dept and they advised me that he is entitled to his personal items within the car, I feel what she was doing was using the Police Dept. To extort money unlawfully. I feel like we were being held hostage! We understand that the car is worthless but he has personal belongings and military issued articles in the car, we just want to retrieve them. Pete's Towing, Newport News is acting outside the law, extorting money from our young military soldiers and sailors, this should not be tolerated in this time of war. Shame on Pete's Towing, Newport News.
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