A number of attendees at a Sacramento concert recently found themselves in quite a bind, staring down a hefty $562 bill after discovering that their cars had mysteriously disappeared following a music festival. One attendee, Bruce Capagli, even reported that the vehicle he got back was so damaged it’s no longer drivable.
Capagli is among many questioning the actions of a towing service that allegedly directed festival-goers to a dirt lot to reclaim their vehicles. This happened while they attended the Aftershock rock festival, as noted by local news.
According to the information provided about the towing operation, they operated under the name J&B Towing, but there’s still confusion surrounding their licensing and authorization to tow vehicles.
Capagli’s trouble began when he decided to park in a lot on Bercut Drive for the festival. Upon returning, he discovered his car was missing, with only a temporary sign instructing him to call a number for assistance.
When he reached out, the person on the line simply provided him with an address on Del Paso Boulevard, which was shared with an auto body shop—definitely not where he ended up picking up his car. Instead, he was taken in a white Honda Civic to a dirt field located in a residential area.
“Something felt off when we saw a Lincoln Navigator towing another car away from the lot,” Capagli remarked.
At the pickup site, there was no signage indicating it was a towing operation, yet drivers were handed preprinted receipts demanding $562 for their vehicles.
He also grew suspicious about the paperwork linked to his tow. An affidavit listed Allied Universal as the requester, but the phone number connected to it was for the towing company. Capagli suspects the document may be a forgery.
Allied Universal, however, stated they had no towing agreements and claimed no responsibility for the parking area. They clarified their services at that location were limited to lobby security for one tenant and that they did not provide weekend security or have any towing contracts.
Capagli, frustrated, pointed out more issues with the receipts. They didn’t include crucial details such as the vehicle identification number or the times the car was taken and returned.
Although Capagli eventually retrieved his car, he mentioned that the damage it sustained rendered it undriveable. His insurance company is even classifying the incident as a stolen vehicle rather than a routine tow gone wrong.
Other drivers have reported similar troubling experiences, including the same $562 fee and the confusing phone number situation.
Additionally, other motorists presented receipts that bore the J&B Towing name, which were dated from different locations in Sacramento and even on various days.
The owner of the towing company stated it was a legitimate business, but did not provide a license number, declined requests for interviews, and did not deliver the licensing documentation when asked.
