On 05/09/2011 at approx 9:30pm, a friend of mine was a victim of illegal towing (also known as "Predatory" or "Patrol" towing which is illegal in CA) performed by Cortez Towing of Riverside, CA. May I say the address out loud.. 9410 Mission Riverside CA and phone (951)-361-3565 as they will firstly refuse to give you even that (their own) information when you call them regarding an illegal tow on your vehicle. If you call they will order you to call the local police department for their address. Oh btw good luck on getting their number to begin with. I was lucky the guard station of the place I live had some business cards of Cortez Towing I was able to see the number.

Anyways after calling, the only information that would be disbursed by their unprofessional receptionist whom lacks customer service was that yes in fact they in fact had my friends vehicle and how it would be $310 dollars to retrieve it, must I say it was towed approx 4 hours ago from that time. I must say that my friends vehicle was parked in front of my home, and yes is a very faint fire lane. But what gets me is that according to some regulations and laws it states than first and foremost in a "Mobile Home Park" containing fire lanes (which all do and all streets (excluding driveway entrances which I've witnessed "hitch-n-gos also performed by this company about) are fire lanes, designated for emergency services only. And according to some speculations there is suppose to be the (contracted towing company) information, police department number and any other information regarding fire lane towing at the ENTRANCE of the park.

Automatically assuming that there is NO information posted anywhere, for all we know my friends car could have been stolen! Anyways after a few days I believe my friends parents decided to retrieve his car as he has no help previously. (the car would have been gone.)

I'm writing on behalf of my friend who's car got illegally towed right in front of my house! And to let the word out about how corrupt Cortez Towing really is and how they should be shut down! Not to mention their very unprofessional and dangerous towing practices. Two days later after our incident, around 7:30pm I witnessed two houses down from mine a work van parked in front of their driveway and what do you know Cortez Towing rolls up fast, must I say clearly, DOES NOT GET OUT OF THE TOW TRUCK OR SAY ANYTHING, lowers the hitch, lifts the van and drives off.., right in front of the owners face as they were cursing them and hollering at them! Must I say VERY dangerous towing practices! About a few minutes later some folks from that same house got in their vehicle and chased after them.

I've seen numerous reports, complaints, and claims against this company performing these terrible acts. Also I must get straight to the point of ONE fact alone that implies this company is corrupt. The fact, the owner of this Mobile Home Park whom resides in Utah, has not signed any contract with Cortez Towing, and according to our receptionist (mind some of the workers whom manage the park are also corrupt) there is only a "VERBAL AGREEMENT" within the park manager and Cortez Towing, which does *NOT* permit anything and is void. Besides, what's a "Verbal Agreement nowadays? Last time I checked we use signed contracts which seal an agreement. Basically what I'm saying is that fact alone says a lot. And they should definitely not be doing this illegal towing their doing and they should not be in business anymore! All I know is I myself and many others are taking further legal action with this matter.

Sincerely,