Towing Issues: stoping a tow truck, tow truck driver, civil matter

Question
I live in Columbia, SC I recently stopped a tow truck from towing my friends car. I stood behind the car, before the tow truck even arrived, and then refused to let the tow truck hook up to the car. The tow truck driver threatened to call the police and I am wondering what the police could have done. All I wanted was to move the car yet the truck driver claimed that we had to pay a drop fee of 15 dollars and I am wondering what the actual law on this is.

Answer
Well first of all, towing of vehicles is a "CIVIL MATTER" and as such the police would only keep the peace there... They might say that you had to pay but not much can be done otherwise unless there are specific laws which I do not know of in South Carolina.

Now I have to say that standing between the vehicles is one way to stop them and also a dangerous way to do it, as some trucks have moving parts which operate even when the truck is in gear and moving...

Now I have to say that the "drop fee" is usually collected when the tow truck is on scene and either partially hooked up or hooked up and not in motion.  I would say that it was more a "show up fee" than a drop fee (word games here).

But from all the towing I have done and the questions that I answer here, $ 15.00 is DARN CHEAP for that...

Now South Carolina has some laws regarding towing from private property and I searched though the ones that I could find, and did not find references to drop fees or other possible issues... But then it is hard to search all the state laws and city laws which could possibly be in effect as some of them are not online or are seriously outdated...

I hope that helps a bit, but here is what I find in the laws

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SECTION 16-11-760. Parking on private property without permission; removal of vehicles; lien for towing and storage; sale of vehicles; penalty for violation. [SC ST SEC 16-11-760]

(A) It is unlawful for a person to park a vehicle, as defined in Section 56-5-5630, on the private property of another without the owner's consent. If the property is for commercial use, the owner must post a notice in a conspicuous place on the borders of the property near each entrance prohibiting parking. Proof of the posting is considered notice conclusive against the person making entry.

(B) A vehicle found parked on private property may be towed and stored at the expense of the registered owner or lienholder, and charges for towing, storing, preserving the vehicle, and expenses incurred if the owner and lienholder are notified pursuant to Section 29-15-10 constitute a lien against the vehicle, provided that the towing company makes notification to the law enforcement agency pursuant to Section 56-5-2525.

(C) If the vehicle is not claimed by the owner, lienholder, or his agent, the vehicle must be sold pursuant to Section 29-15-10 by a magistrate in the county in which the vehicle was towed or stored.

(D) A person violating the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. This punishment is in addition to the other remedies authorized in this section.