Car theft victims face steep fines in Prince George’s County when they go pick up their stolen vehicles at impound lots, often forking over hundreds of dollars before their cars are returned. Basic towing fees cost a minimum of $175 when Prince George’s County police contract local companies to tow away stolen or abandoned vehicles, and storage fees can add up to $50 a day in charges.
It doesn’t take long before the costs of retrieving a stolen vehicle can rise into the hundreds of dollars, and if there’s any hiccup in the process of notifying a car owner, bills can get out of control. Insurance companies may cover those expenses, but victims of auto theft without the proper insurance are responsible for the fees on their own — though by law, all vehicles registered in the state of Maryland must be insured.
Del. Doyle Niemann, D-Prince George’s County, has spent years attempting to amend laws detailing how governments and towing companies notify owners that their car has been towed to allow victims the opportunity to pick up their car as soon as possible.
It’s up to the discretion of Prince George’s County police officers to determine if there are signs a car has been stolen and needs to be impounded for safekeeping. Police run checks to see if vehicles match those reported as stolen, and if a match is found, a police officer will physically go to a victim’s home to alert the car owner, according to Cpl. Mike Rodriguez, police spokesman. It would be different if the police towed the vehicle themselves, but the only impound lot Prince George’s County police have is for vehicles needed as evidence, he said.
But then taxpayers would be left footing the bill, said Niemann, an assistant state’s attorney in Prince George’s County.
“Theoretically the car thief should be responsible for restitution,” Niemann said. “But you’ve got to catch the car thief, and they’ve got to have money to collect from.”
Niemann wants to cap the total amount of towing and storage fees that can be charged at $1,200. His legislation passed the House but died in the Senate in 2011.
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said she’s interested in reviewing any legislative options to help ease the burden on people who are victimized by impound lot charges after having their car stolen.
