The car repossession industry is known for its inherent dangers, a fact underscored by a startling video from Compton, California. The footage shows a man with a crowbar clinging to the back of a tow truck, trying to reclaim his Nissan Altima as the distressed driver dragged the vehicle down city streets.
According to investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, as reported by NBC Los Angeles, the repossession agent was attempting to collect the parked Altima due to unpaid bills on a Monday morning. When the car’s owner emerged from a nearby house and confronted him, the repo man hurried to hook up the vehicle and flee, only for the owner to leap onto the back of the truck as it sped away.
In his rush, the repo man seemingly forgot to take the front-wheel-drive Altima out of park, which likely caused the front tires to blow out, leading to sparks flying across the pavement. It’s also considered a basic towing rule to keep a vehicle’s drive wheels off the ground when using an automatic transmission; however, the repo man likely had bigger issues on his mind. The owner made several attempts to rescue his Altima, even smashing the tow truck’s back window in frustration with his crowbar at one point.
A witness named Brittany McDonald observed the chaotic scene and began to follow the unfolding drama. She later recorded video footage that captures this perilous game of cat and mouse, as both parties attempted to stop the truck, mistakenly thinking it was stolen, while the Altima swung dangerously across the road as the driver tried to evade them.
The entire episode was remarkably hazardous, with both the repo man and the car owner blatantly ignoring traffic regulations, and the skidding Altima nearly colliding with several other vehicles. Reports indicate that the chase lasted for more than ten minutes, until Long Beach Police officers arrived and intervened.
NBC Los Angeles states that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department confirmed the tow truck driver was indeed a legitimate repossession agent. Consequently, authorities are considering multiple charges against the car owner.
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