CHARLOTTE, NC — Channel 9 Investigates went through thousands of records and found the place where you are most likely to have your car towed in the city of Charlotte.
It's not even a close race. There are nearly twice as many vehicles towed outside Tavern on the Tracks on South Tryon Street than any other parking lot.
Channel 9 requested towing records from Charlotte-Mecklenburg police dating back to the start of last year. We found more than 28,000 calls reporting illegally parked vehicles originating from more than 3,000 different locations.
Top three:
- 1400 South Tryon St. with 1,038 calls
- 9800 University City Blvd. with 650 calls
- 1100 South Blvd. with 320 calls
"I had to pay in cash. Three-hundred bucks. Only in cash," said Anna Cullum.
She said she had dinner at Tavern on the Tracks and then walked to a nearby bar. She returned to find her car was about to be hauled away. She paid the tow company that night.
"He said he makes more money than anybody he knows that has a college degree," she said.
The parking lot is marked extensively with signs that say, "Tavern on the Tracks parking only," and in small print "All others will be towed at owner's expense."
A closer look at the towing records show most of the towing happens at night when South End is busiest, which is usually weekends between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.
We saw vehicles being towed even when there are open spaces. Still, the towing company keeps calling police and getting authorization to tow more vehicles.
"I think this is just more to capture people and trap them -- just what happened to me," Jeremy Rowell said after his vehicle was towed.
Carolina Towing has a C-rating with the Better Business Bureau. Most of the complaints are about high fees and accusations of predatory towing. The business has an exclusive contract to patrol the parking lot of Tavern on the Tracks.
Tavern owner Bill Acquario said parking became an issue when South End development exploded. He pays $5,000 a month to lease the parking lot for his customers only.
"That's why all these signs are up. You know, I've got a sign probably every 10 feet around the building and all the entrances. So there's fair warning," he said.
Acquario denied that there's predatory towing.
"I am sorry that this is the way it is right now. But again, I can only put up so many signs and warn people," he said. "I don't want to be in the towing business. I hate it."