Towing Issues: PG County Laws Towing Cars, heights shopping center, md state police

Question
My friend's car was left at Marlow Heights shopping center, because she could not get the car started.   It was towed to a junk yard a few days later.    When her father called to retrieve the car, they told him it was junked.   Isn't the proper procedure to contact the MD State Police and the owner of the vehicle to let them know they have a certain amount of time to get the car out or it would be junked?   It was only there for 3 weeks.   I don't believe the proper procedure was taken.

Answer
Kathy, I have been trying to research Maryland rules and regulations for quite a while and I have been having major problems doing it...

First of all, each County has the option of regulating towing of vehicles.. But not each one decides to do this...

Prince George county does from what I can find out, but I am unable to find the answers for you on the question you asked...

I know that the STATE has a lien policy and rules and regulations to follow, but from what I find here is the junk yard issue as a confusing part of the issue...

Did the junk yard its self do the tow, or was it a tow company which you are referring to as a junk yard?

As a general rule, the last registered owner of the vehicle is notified via certified mail as to the pending sale and disposal of the vehicle...


Now one thing that might of happened, is that a "gypsy tow company" might of "STOLE" the vehicle from the mall parking lot and sold it to the junk yard, which is becoming a more common problem.

As to proper procedure, I agree it does not sound right to me, but I would check with DMV and or a lawyer. It does sound a bit illegal to me, but then I do not know the whole thing as I am not there.