Police: Tow Truck Driver Held Legally Parked Cars Hostage
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A tow truck driver is facing criminal charges in connection with allegations that he towed vehicles that were legally parked, forcing victims to pay hundreds of dollars to get their cars back.
"He was fairly enterprising to come up with this scheme, or scam. He hoodwinked a lot of people," Floral Park Police Commissioner Stephen McAllister told CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan on Monday.
Christopher Capurso, 22, was not licensed to own a tow truck and was holding cars hostage, according to investigators. He allegedly towed several cars from Hedwig's Parish Hall in Floral Park, and others from commercial lots along the Hempstead Turnpike.
Capurso pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and refused to speak with CBS 2. Unsuspecting victims of the alleged scam artist called a number printed on a bogus sign and were told that they had to pay $200 to get their cars back. One store owner ripped a sign down and confronted Capurso.
"He said, 'I see that sign is no longer there,' and I said 'I have it,' and he said, 'that's a $50 sign'," explained Ronald Keats.
Police in Nassau County are looking into more than a dozen complaints about Capurso and his towing company. Capurso is free on $500 bail.
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