CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man reached out to WCNC Charlotte after his car was stolen and ended up being impounded. He said he had to pay to get his car out and that he shouldn't have to since he is a victim of auto theft.
Jacob Ruhl's car was stolen Tuesday when he ran inside to get a delivery order from the McDonald's on Wendover Road. His emotional support dog, Mama, was in the car at the time.
"I went in there for three or four minutes, and I came back out with the food," Ruhl said. "And the car with Mama, my dog, was gone."
He called 911.
"When the car was recovered, they told me 'there's no dog in the car and the car is inoperable.' It's going to Hunter Wrecker," Ruhl said. "They're telling me that I have to pay to get it out and the car runs. It's not totaled."
According to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department spokesperson, the stolen car was involved in a crash, which is why it was automatically towed. They said it would be a civil matter if the victim wanted to recoup the cost of getting his car out, which would be $295 as of Friday.
Ruhl said he didn't have the funds at the time.
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"In no way, shape, or form, I should pay anybody, anything," Ruhl said. "I was taken from. And now I'm being taken from more out of my pocket."
On the bright side, Ruhl said, after receiving a tip, he and his girlfriend were able to locate Mama at a park the next day.
"Whatever happens to me and my problems and my bills and stuff, can all be fixed with money," he said. "But she's irreplaceable."
An employee at Hunter Auto and Wrecker said that Ruhl would accrue $35 for each day his car sits in their lot. Eventually, Ruhl was able to pay and got his car back.
In CMPD's latest crime numbers report for the third quarter of 2022, one area where crime shows an increase in auto theft.
Contact Jane Monreal at jmonreal@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.