Towing Issues: missing property, ventura county california, dmv web

Question
A car was towed.  Release of property was obtained on Friday.  Told to present release on Monday.  Monday about noon went to tow company, presented release of property and was told "too late" car is gone to lein sale - there was no property.  Police report verifies there were contents.  I have been advised to present complaint to city who contracts with tow company.  Someone told me I will be entitled to 3 x replacement cost.  Anyway to verify this eg. code or law.  Area is Ventura County California

Answer
Wow, I take it the vehicle had been towed quite a while ago before you got the release, which I hope is correct.

Ok, as to the contents, the police report is going to be your friend here as it lists contents (hopefully detailed).  
Now yes there are rules and regulations regarding disposal of the vehicle and contents but in fairness of the tow company I have to say that keeping contents of vehicles safe and secure is sometimes a huge headache... That is a practical answer from a tow company manager point of view here.  

Now complain to the agency who ordered the tow, they will help you with some of the legal guides you need.. Also check out the California DMV web site for towing rules and regulations. There are like 100 + rules and regulations there regarding towing, notices of lein sales, handling personal property, and all that...  

I actually hate to send people there if I can help answer questions but you have all the right answers to search there and know what applies and I would spend days emailing back and forth to get answers as to what applies. I hope you understand that part of my directing you there.

As to the 3times issue, I seem to remember some issue for that but I think it was a damage responsibility issue for doing illegal tows and violating the regulations.

Good luck and have fun searching the DMV site for the answers which I know are there, but do not have the information to provide the correct answers for.