THE police, in an obvious bid to thwart the practice of motor vehicle thieves using tow trucks, have released the names of 28 companies that are authorised to provide wrecker services to enforce traffic laws in 12 parishes across the island.

The list was released at the weekend with advice from Acting Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington for motorists to be vigilant.

“When there is a legal requirement for the police to tow away vehicles, pay attention to the name of the wrecker company doing the towing,” Ellington said. “Only approved police wrecker companies should tow away cars. If the wrecker company that is towing away your car is not on the approved list, let us know by calling our toll-free line: 1-888-429-5523.

Ellington promised that reports made to the police would be investigated and the necessary disciplinary actions taken.

“This is part of our attempts to clean up the force,” he said. “The process of separating bad police officers from the good is irreversible. But we can’t do it without the help of the public. We are committed to this process, but one hand cannot clap. Pay attention to the regulation number of the policeman ordering the towing of your vehicle and take notice of the police car number.”

In August, the Sunday Observer reported that tow trucks were now being used to steal motor vehicles, most times in broad daylight and in front of unsuspecting members of the public.

While the police admitted hearing about the ruse, they were unable to confirm that it was really happening. However, a Sunday Observer probe uncovered that motor vehicles – parked properly or improperly – were being taken away by unauthorised people.

Under the scheme, the vehicles are not taken to authorised pounds. Instead, they are deposited at other locations, where they are either sprayed in different colours, scrapped, or the engine and chassis numbers altered.

“It is happening, definitely happening, although there have not been many cases,” said one senior cop who opted not to be named. “We now have to devise plans to stop this thing before it gets out of hand.”

Those plans now involve the naming of the authorised tow truck companies which the police say they will start advertising in newspapers.

The list reads: Lloyd’s Troupe and Rebel T in Hanover; Richards Wrecking Co and Wallace Wrecking Co in Westmoreland; Watson Wrecking Co, Clarendon; High Performance Wrecking Co, Portland; Knife Wrecking Co and Chris Wrecking Co, St Ann; Breezy Towing and Martin Wrecking, St Mary; Al Wrecking Co and Ethopian Wrecking, St James; Tyrone’s Wrecking Service, St Elizabeth; Walters Wrecking Service, Big Rat Auto, and George’s Garage, Manchester; National Recovery Limited, Kingston Eastern; Pryce Wrecking Service, Crooks Brothers Wrecking, Superior Wrecking Service, SEDD Wrecking, and Lamour’s Wrecking Service, St Andrew Central; Lindo’s Garage & Wrecking Service, St Andrew South; Brown’s Wrecking Service and Keith’s Wrecking Service, St Catherine North; Compak Auto Body Repair & Wrecking Service, Meally’s Wrecking Service, and Excellent Wrecking & Transportation Services Ltd, St Catherine South.