Shots Fired Over Towing Dispute

From WOWT.com

Posted: Apr 1, 2011
Reporter: Roger Hamer

Two tow truck drivers found themselves threatened at gunpoint Friday morning. After shots were fired, police made two arrests. Police say they were legally removing three cars that were parked illegally in an apartment complex lot near 38th and Farnam when three men came out and confronted them around 3:30 a.m., angry that a friend's car was being towed.

One man claimed to not have the money to cover a tow fee and threatened the drivers. When the tow truck drivers tried to leave one of the men fired at least eight shots into the cab, shattering the window.

As police arrived at the scene, officers saw one of the suspects throw a gun as he was running away. The officers recovered the gun and arrested 24-year-old Kenneth Hatch for making terroristic threats and possession of a stolen firearm.

Officers were given permission to search the apartment that the men had come from and located another handgun that had also been reported stolen as well as marijuana. 

Twenty-two-year-old Kyle Hauder was booked for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and for an unrelated misdemeanor warrant. Police said he's the boyfriend of the owner whose car was being towed.

towing parts: tie down straps

Kim Hobscheidt of Auto 1 Towing later surveyed the damage to its tow truck. “We've got the five here. We've got the three up here in the windshield.” There were bullet holes everywhere. “From what I understand, eight. Yes, very scary.”

“We have a contract with that complex and the reason that we are there doing this is there are only so many spots.”

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