Police investigate Minneapolis tow truck operator

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis police are investigating the city’s largest tow truck operator for allegedly overcharging vehicle owners.

The Star Tribune reports the practices of Cedar Towing & Auction raised enough concern among city licensing staff that inspector Rich Tuffs turned the case over to Minneapolis police.

According to a search warrant obtained by the newspaper, the alleged overcharges could amount to $100,000 this year alone.

Records show police used the warrant on Oct. 18 to gather two boxes of employee records and a digital record of all tows this year from Cedar Towing. A police spokesman said the case remains under investigation.

The company is also accused of improperly allowing its own employee to authorize tows from private property.

A message left at Cedar Towing’s office Friday wasn’t immediately returned.