Investigators raid towing company in price gouging probe
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By MYFOX NEW YORK STAFF
Authorities conduct an overnight raid of APK Towing in Toms River, N.J.
MYFOXNY.COM -
Investigators raided the APK Towing Company hours after a Fox 5 Shame, Shame, Shame report of alleged price gouging of superstorm Sandy victims.
Video of the raid showed authorities cordoning off the Toms River company's lot with police tape in the dark early Friday morning.
APK Towing, located at the intersection of Route 37 and Coolidge Avenue, is accused of charging exorbitant prices for towing the vehicles of residents in the area following the storm. Many of the complaints are from people who lost homes and property during the storm.
The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey Attorney General's Office are investigating APK.
Statement of Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford:
The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is aware of complaints from residents relative to the activities of a towing service known as APK Towing of Toms River. While it is not our usual policy to comment on pending and ongoing investigations, we are asking that anyone with information regarding this business, or any one who has received a bill from this business related to services rendered in Seaside Heights, to please contact the investigators assigned to this matter: Detective James Conroy or Detective Mark Malinowski at (732) 929-2027.
The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether or not there has been any criminal wrongdoing associated with the business practices of this entity. We are collecting facts and information and will not comment publicly on this until our investigation is completed.
Many people have been heroes during this recent disaster. Unfortunately, experience teaches us that fraudulent, overreaching, and unethical business practices are an almost certain aftermath of the disaster. There are many people who see this as an opportunity to prey upon people made vulnerable by a natural disaster.
Investigators are interested in hearing from anyone with a complaint against the towing company: call Detective James Conroy or Detective Mark Malinowski at (732) 929-2027.
To file a complaint of alleged storm-related price gouging in New Jersey, you can call: (800) 242-5846.
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Authorities conduct an overnight raid of APK Towing in Toms River, N.J.
