Towing Issues: releasing a towed car to someone other then the owner, ford pinto, tow company

Question
My friend loan me her car while she went out of town for 2 weeks. The car was towed from the appartment community where I live, due to having dead tags. I made contact with the towing company and informed them that I was the driver of the car and the owner was out of town and not expected to return until the following week, also I informed them that I was willing to provide my permit and pay all fees needed to obtain the car.  I was informed that the car  could only be released to the owner.

I would like to know can they do this? I have the keys to the car and willing to pay for the towing to avoid the storge fees which are 50 dollars a day.

Answer
Well I really hate to say it, but that is generally the rules and regulations under which vehicles can be released.

Would you want someone who says that its their car to be able to take your vehicle out of the impound yard even though they do not have any legal rights to it...
Want to trade up from your Ford Pinto to a Porsche, or Rolls Royce...   Get the idea here?

Now in some cases, the tow company will release the vehicle, if there is a "SIGNED, NOTORIZED" statement which says that you can have it fron the owner. But that does not always work.  

Remember that the tow company is charged with the custody and safekeeping of the vehicle and as such they have to limit their liability.  

Hope this helps