Greenwood Recovery Greenwood Towing and Driveway Service Illegal Towing , Internet

I was getting ready to leave for work on the morning of November 15^th, 2010 when I found my car was gone from my drive way. I knew I had seen the car the evening before. I reported to the Police and my insurance company that my car had been stolen the previous (Sunday) night.

A few days later I received a Notice of Abandoned Vehicle by a certified mail from Greenwood Recovery (a.k.a. Greenwood Towing and Driveway Service) that states they had in possession of my car. They said it had been towed from private property.

Thinking that my vehicle had been stolen and abandoned which resulted in being towed I went to Greenwood and asked to see the condition of my car so that I could report to the insurance company. They refused to show me unless I paid $550. When the insurance company called they admitted that my vehicle wasnt actually stolen. It was towed due to expired tag. I actually had my new sticker which I received from the MVA with me when I found out that my car was gone.

I finally had to get my car back after I paid $375.00.

What I need to know is:

1:            if there is a law in Maryland that gives a license to any company to come and take your car from your own property and hold it hostage until you come up with a ransom payment;

2:            Even if there was a violation it should have been a traffic violation. I believe in my case even the Police do not have an authority to remove my car from my private property without proper notice. Could companies like Greenwood be given the authority enforce traffic laws and search and seizure on my driveway/property?

I would appreciate any help.