Fake Towing Company Tries to Steal Dodge Challenger From Local Meet

Thanks to an observant crowd, this Dodge Challenger wasn’t stolen by what appeared to be an illegitimate towing company.

It’s no secret that thieves have tried just about anything one can think of over the years when it comes to conjuring up ways to remove valuable items from our possession. Sometimes, these ideas aren’t exactly what one might call genius, and result in those folks winding up in a jail cell with no real harm done. Other times, however, those ideas work, and are even quite successful. However, one thing we haven’t seen – at least, until now, potentially – are fake towing companies stealing cars directly from meets – and it almost made off with a Dodge Challenger at this one.

It all went down at an Essence Meets event in Houston, Texas recently, with the whole thing being documented on camera by Drew Brower and his Cars Across Texas YouTube channel. Brower noticed a handful of unmarked, unlicensed, and unregistered tow trucks roaming the surrounding area, looking for cars to tow, and one apparently managed to successfully steal a car before he arrived.

It’s certainly not uncommon to see towing companies stalking parking lots that are restricted in terms of access or require one to pay for the privilege of parking there, and that includes car meets, where local businesses often aren’t crazy about the idea of giving up spots to paying customers. Predatory towing is also a very real phenomenon, however, and a very profitable one, as folks generally have to shell out hundreds of dollars to get their cars back if they’re towed.

In this case, there are lots of reasons to be skeptical of these towing companies, however – aside from the fact that they don’t appear to be legitimate. At one point, Brower notices a tow truck operator trying to make off with a Dodge Challenger, so he walks over to see what’s going on. After being confronted, the driver stops what they’re doing and raises the tilting bed back up, but doesn’t move the truck.

That truck has no markings or even plates, and the driver, oddly enough, is wearing a bullet-proof vest. Brower notes that the Dodge Challenger was actually even chained up at one point, and the owner was inside of Starbucks making a purchase when this was all happening – meaning that she was, in fact, parked legally. Another guy even pulled a hammer out of his truck at one point, after which the two tow truck drivers called police, claiming the crowd was harassing them.

That move backfired, as police reportedly issued those tow truck drivers some sort of citation, though it’s unclear what was really going on. If nothing else, it is quite clear that we should be on the lookout for these unsavory, predatory – and perhaps illegitimate – towing companies when we’re out trying to enjoy local meets.

Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.