Towing Issues: Illegal Tow, small claims court, apartment complexes

Question
I live in an apt complex in NJ.  We have residence tags which we hang on our mirrors to identify us as residents.  I have a car for personal use and a company car, both have tags hanging.  My personal car was in an accident and was not being used due to the fact I had not received my insurance money to get it fixed.  The damage was not bad, but with the truck not being able to close all the way, the trunk light drained my battery.  By no means was this car and eye sore.  I returned home from a business trip to find my car gone.  I went into panic mode and asked my neighbors if they had seen my car.  I finally called the police and they said it had been towed.  I went to my management, asked them why they towed they car and they said there wasnt a tag hanging, which I know there was.  After getting in touch with the tow company, I asked why they towed the car and he said they were told the car was inoperable.  The tow guy said when he saw the car he knew there were going to be problems.  He and his wife actually came and picked me up, took me to my car, where the tag was haning on the mirror and jumped my car so I could drive it home. After talking to my apt manager again, he said he had it towed because he didnt know who the care belonged to and it couldnt be parked in the same place for as long as it was parked.  This is crap I know.  My question is, what avenues do I have to make this manager or apt complex pay the towing fee.  My car was towed illegally and I refuse to let this guy get away with such harrassing behavior.  Thanks in advance for your help.  

Answer

Well, I have to say that the towing company seems to have been going above and beyond for the help they gave you..

Now, most apartment complexes have rules regarding inopertive vehicles or ones left in spaces for long term.

Check your rental contract and see what it says

Now you always have the option of small claims court against the manager. It sounds as he is trying to cover by saying no permit or inoperative or even not knowing who owned it.