Towing Issues: Towing, tow truck company, wilshire blvd

Question
QUESTION: I was parking illegally in an anti-grid zone in LA, on Wilshire Blvd. It is illegal to park after 4:00 PM and cars are subject to tow, I forgot to check the sign. When I return to my car, I had already received a citation and the tow truck guy was beginning the process of hooking up my vehicle. The officer had called the tow truck company. The tow truck guy was inserting the lift underneath my tires, however my vehicle was not yet lifted or attached. I ask him to release my car, he said that the DMV already knew it was going to be taken. He then lifted my vehicle and charged me full price for impound and release fees. It was release on the spot.

I requested a hearing, vehicle post impound hearing, and presented CA vehicle code sec. 22651. It was irrelevant because the vehicle was not removed from private property, but rather from the city street.

My question is there another CA Vehicle Code Section that protects me from being charged the full amount? I was there at the same time the tow truck came and I felt I should of been given a chance to move my vehicle with no charge.

ANSWER: You should not have had to pay the full amount. I do not recall exactly which code it is but I did read something about a drop fee. It may have been concerning private property but I am not sure. The towing company is allowed to charge however, because they dispatched a driver/truck. Was the officer still there when the wrecker arrived?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The officer was no longer at the scene. According to the officer, his job is to go down the street issuing citation and calling the tow truck company. He was gone for a good 10 minutes.

Another questions: Since my vehicle was not securely attached, can I jump on my vehicle and leave the scene? Since the toll truck guy mentioned the officer had already called the DMV, I hesitated to do that. Also, a second tow truck guy was standing behind my vehicle, he would of block me from leaving possibly. Lastly, at what point is my vehicle in the tow truck companies possession?

Answer
If you had gotten in your car they could not have towed it, but they probably would have called the police and it would have wound up being an even bigger hassle. You did what you should by requesting a hearing, but it appears they were not helpful. Once a tow truck has been dispatched and they arrive then they are entitled to compensation. It's not fair or correct that they would not allow you to move the vehicle and just pay a dispatch or drop fee.