Bad night made even worse...

[jpNcos]

Bad night made even worse...
Last night about 930 I went to a friends town house to give his car a jump start. Parked behind his car tried to jump start to no avail. Went inside to look on the internet for other ideas.

And the nightmare begins come outside my truck is gone. Keys are in my pocket I was inside maybe 30 minutes. I was technically parked in a no parking area so I can take my lumps.

I call property management company as there are no tow truck company signs anywhere. I get the tow truck company name give them a call. I'm told that I can't get my truck right away. Great at first they tell me not until monday. After pleading they tell me to call at 10am and I should be able to pick it up.

Call right at 10am and I'm told I can pick it up in 30 min. The charge is $280 and because it was towed off private property I have to pay cash. OK

So I go down quick glance truck looks ok. I pay the money go and start the truck. It now sounds like I have open exhaust. Hop out thinking my exhaust has been ripped from the truck. Look under don't see it at first then bam! They cut out the drivers side Catalytic converter and attempted to cut the passenger side catalytic converter but cut into the O2 bung and just screwed it up.

By this time the owner comes out and asks me what kind of exhaust I had on my truck as it was loud. I said it used to be stock until you cut it up. Then I'm told someone would have to use a blow torch to do this even though I can see where a sawsall was used. Then they say you would have to jack it up. This is an 08 4runner I can crawl under it without jacking it up and I'm a big guy.

I ask about cameras on the place and I'm told they are dummies. I ask if their insurance will cover it and I'm told to leave.

Just so happens to be a cop across the street I drive over to have a chat. Cop tells me it a civil matter he don't care leave him alone.

Wonderful!

So on top of driving my now hot rod sounding truck the instrument panel is lit up like a christmas tree. The check engine light I figure is due to the missing cat and o2 sensor. Bigger problem is this is an AWD unit and I beleive it was improperly towed. Stability control light is flashing and won't go away.

So being sunday not much I can do today. Tomorrow I figure I will take it to the dealership and have them give me an estimate on repairs.

What do you think guys is civil court my only option?

Any other advice or past experiences that may help me.

Thanks everyone.

[BadChicken]

the vsc and trac lights are on due to the check engine light being on

[jpNcos]

Good to hear that! So hopefully some new expensive Catalytic converters and I will be back in business

[FloridaChris]

i had a friend who had to replace his driver side converter, he got it for a couple hundred bucks cheaper than what the dealership quoted him, trjexport.com. the site isnt built but there is a phone number. hope it helps

[canddmeyer]

Make complaints w/everyone including the police, district attorney, and state attorney general. Tow truck company definitely corrupt, and the cop probably on the take. Of course file w/your insurance. You may have a civil case with the folks where the townhouse is located. but local laws vary.

[Zembonez]

Most towing companies are pure human scum. Sadly most are also big buddies with the local police department. File all of the complaints you want, but they will get you nowhere if it's anything like it is here.

Most likely you will just have to fix it and move on. Hopefully your insurance will cover the theft.