OPP lay charges against two Ottawa towing companies

An Ontario Provincial Police shoulder badge is seen in this undated photo. (File)

Ontario Provincial Police have laid numerous charges against two local towing companies.

Police said Thursday an investigation began Nov. 27 when a resident said the company towed their vehicle against their wishes after a crash and refused to release it. The owner was also told they had to pay more than $5,000 for one week of storage. A second investigation began Monday against a different towing company. The driver alleged the company was refusing to release their vehicle and was also "over charging," OPP said.

Southway Towing is facing the following charges:

• Tow Operator - Charge or Demand Payment Without Consent
• Vehicle Storage Operator - Fail to Obtain Consent
• Vehicle Storage Operator - Fail to Comply with Prescribed Access Requirements
• Tow Operator - Charge or Demand Payment for Services Without First Providing Invoice
• Vehicle Storage Operator - Charge or Demand Payment for Services Without First Providing Invoice
• Fail to Provide Information to Person as Required
• Vehicle Storage Operator - Fail to Provide Copy of Consent
• Tow Operator - Fail to Provide Copy of Consent
• Vehicle Storage Operator - Fail to Make Reasonable Efforts to Release Vehicle Upon Request

In addition, a driver for the company is charged with providing or attempting to provide services without consent and failure to provide copy of consent.

Pro Solution Towing of Ottawa faces the following charges:

• Tow Operator - Charge or Demand Payment Without Consent
• Tow Operator - Fail to Provide Copy of Consent
• Tow Operator - Charge or Demand Payment for Services Without First Providing Invoice
• Misleading, Inaccurate or False Representation
• Pressure Person to Use one Payment Method over Another

CTV News Ottawa has reached out to both companies for comment.

A representative from Pro Solution Towing told CTV News Ottawa the company is looking to speak to a lawyer and plans to defend itself against the charges. 

The charges the two companies and the one tow truck driver are facing are not criminal charges. They are under Ontario's Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, which governs tow operators, tow truck drivers, and vehicle storage operators.

None of the charges have been proven in court.

OPP say people can file anonymous complaints online about tow truck drivers or companies.