Kitty Hawk PD and Pugh's towing

[jaybyrd83ecu]

An incident occured with me this past weekend that I thought I should share. I was parked at the end of Lillian beach access in Kitty Hawk (for locals who know where it is) and I pulled off to the right at the end where I saw existing tire tracks from others parking there previously because the rest of the lot was full. I looked for "NO PARKING" signs and did not see any so figured I was in the clear. I then went out to the beach to check out the killer surf. Next thing I know, someone walking by says, "there's a cop at the end of the street and he said he's gonna tow whoever is parked at the end"

I bolt. Run straight to my truck and see the cop there. Tow truck is turning in, 20 seconds behind me. Go to get into my vehicle and officer tells me to come to him. I go, obviously, not gonna ignore the cop and risk other trouble. He tells me I shouldn't be parking there and that he called a tow truck. I tell him that I am there and I'm moving it, so no need for the tow. He tells me to give him license and registration. I give it to him. Tow truck rolls up. While the cop has my license and registration, I move my truck anyway out of the "Illegal" spot. Tow truck is like , I showed up so I'm taking your truck.
I politely ask the cop to tell the tow truck guy to back off, and he tells me I can deal with him. Tells me its getting towed, tough. Well, I had my keys in my hand and the tow truck driver says, "Let me get those keys" and pretty much just swipes them out my hand as he's saying it. He jumps in my truck and drives it onto the rollback, I start flipping. Cop tells me if I don't get away from the tow truck driver, I'm gonna get arrested for harassing him and disorderly conduct. Tow truck guy is like, you can just ride with me to ATM and pay me a drop fee of $75 and I'll just give it back to you. At this point I'm like w/e, I'll ride w/ u. Then the dude just drives off w/ my truck and keys.
I'm telling the cop the dude just totally stole my truck and keys right in front of you and you allowed it. He simply asks me if I've got a cellphone. Then he dips.

So at this point I'm standing there, with my cellphone, no shoes, and my wallet. Get a ride to Pugh's finally and the guy hasn't even got there w/ my truck. I call the company and they say he'll be there when he gets there and if I don't just wait, I won't get my truck back until the next day. Tow truck dude finally rolls up to Pugh's like 2 hrs after he initially took it with some chick riding shotgun and proceeds to cuss @ me the whole time he's unloading it!!!! Costs me 200 #$#$#^$ing dollars and at this point I am so livid I am shaking and about to flip. Played it smart and just left because nothing good is gonna come from anything going through me head then and I was late to my niece's first bday party.
Just makes me wonder what has happened in this country where something like this can occur!??? I have called the Kitty Hawk police dept and they said they would "review the tape" Pretty much feeling like a rape victim over all this right now.

[welder]

I would call the Mayor, Police Chief, Chamber of Commerce, EVERY council member, City Manager and the FRICKING NEWS PAPER.

Every state I have been in , The cop has to say tow it , other wise the Tow truck driver is doing Grand theft Auto.

I bet the cop got a Kick back from the Tow Co.

If all that doesn't work , Get a couple guys , call the tow Co. request that driver to some out of the way place at night and BEAT HIS ASS

[jamnstv]

Never had any trouble withe Law in any part of Dare or Hyde before, EVER! Thanks for the warning. Think maybe they are fed up with all these rules,non-rules. Go to www.islandfreepress and let the Editor (Irene Nolan) know about this. The E-paper is mainly Hatteras but all the meetings have been up Nags Head/Kitty Hawk way. Kick-backs are a real possibility.
Tight Lines and Stand Strong

[blueh20pc]

Ray Pugh (the owner) used to be on THT, but I haven't seen him for some time. His wife, Penny Pugh is a teacher at FFES with my wife. Not to say anything, but Pugh's is the last shop that I would ever go to. I'd go buy Pugh's and explain the situation, and demand a refund during regular business hours. If you don't get any satifaction (read refund), I would then threaten with a nasty statement to 10-on your side (Wavy) or call channel 3 or 13 up in VA and tell them the story.

I would then roll in on KHPD and talk to the chief and tell him what happened, don't mess around with a secretary, ask for a meeting with the chief. Hopefully you remember the officers name. and report that to classifieds plus in the talk back section, then coastland and the other newspapers.

Finally, if all else fails, pm me and I'll give you some insider information that I don't want to reveal on this thread.

All else fails, call Carl Seto and send him by Ray Pugh's house and have Ray's car towed to Seto's shop and pay for it. HEHE!

[FairWeather]

I was sitting on the beach and heard a story of something very similar going on regarding cops & tow trucks messing with surfers up at Lillian Street, guess it must have been you!

I think Chris is in line & I feel they were out of line so I would make sure I get my money back!

Matt

[blueh20pc]

Also, show up at these places with a notepad and a pen and write down whoever's name you spoke with. Take notes while they speak. Believe or not, that gets people thinking in a "legal" sort of way. And be polite, dress teacher like!

[jaybyrd83ecu]

I'm gonna sit down and type emails in the next day to the appropriate individuals. The thing that sent me over the edge is that, yes the officer did call it in to be towed. I was there before the tow truck (less than a minute but still there before him) moving my vehicle and the officer, after I moved it, still allowed the man from Pugh's to tow me. I would think that the officer should tell the tow truck driver, sorry for bothering you, we got it handled. I spoke with a Kitty Hawk PD sergeant and he said he was going to review that tape and get back to me. I still do not have the name of the on scene officer because I asked him for his name and he told me he would give me his card before he left, and left without doing so. Can't read his handwriting on the ticket for my "expired registration" (current one is actually sitting at my dad's house)
I've lived on/around the beach my entire life and have NEVER had issues with parking/towing or even heard of such matters until now.


I am only on the beach on the weekends now because I took a job teaching in Washington, NC. I hope to be able to resolve the matter via emails and telephone but don't really expect much, except to warn others.

[blueh20pc]

Jay,

Being a former USAF cop who could write tickets to civilians in a federal court of law, expo reg is what got you noticed and towed. Officer from KHPD thought because you hadn't sent in the $20 to NCDMV that you were immediately a drug dealer and scumbag surfer, and he was gonna clock your ass if you didn't abide by his rules. Good thing he didn't have a drug dog around this weekend, he'd have been sniffing around your car just for giggles.

I'd take the day off and go to court in Manteo on the expired reg ticket. Come back here and stand in front of the judge. Show him the new registration and say sorry I registered it and forgot to put it on the plate. Be careful, if you registered it that night after the ticket they will know. Making the cop show up for court is murder on PD, you'll prolly have at least 2 continuances.

ONCE you get a trial date with the officer who wrote the ticket, do NOT go off the hilt about how the truck got towed in a court of law. You are there simply to defend the expo Reg and that's it. But at least u can write down the officers name. The judge will suspend the charge on time served, and then you are in. Then you can go back and rain hellfire on the KHPD chief, and no less, on why this officer was harassing me for parking.

Disclaimer, by me, as a former officer in a federal court and a defendant in a state court.....Never ever, ever, go into a court of law without representation by a certified member of the state bar association who practices in the court of law that you are a defendant in. I've been on both sides, and it's not pretty when you're on the wrong side of the judge without proper representation. Hiring a lawyer in traffic court these days is akin to saying, "Yes, Your Honor, I respect the court".

If ever you go to court alone, say these words when you're called "Your Honor, I'd like to ask for a continuance, so I can retain proper legal counsel for these matters." Then reply "Thank you, Judge."

Don't ask me how I know that.

[welder]

Then you will beat that tow truck drivers ass.

You guys got to understand , my Mother in Law lives with us now so I have to express myself some where. She is 89 years old and has dementia .

This is prof I love my wife.

Now beat his ass................

[Prodigal Son]

I think you're saying what I'd like to do in his shoes, Lester...no explanation necessary.

I'd also second what Chris said about going to court and showing that the vehicle was registered, just not on the tags (if that is the case) and from there you'll have the officer's name and can go to work on a letter writing campaign, that if nothing else, might make you feel better.