Hawaii Island police are warning the public about a possible towing scam.
A 76-year-old Hilo man reported that when he returned to his 2001 Toyota 4Runner that was parked at Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo on April 10, he found a strip of paper on his windshield warning him that his vehicle registration had expired, that he was not to move the vehicle and that a tow truck had been called, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
The owner then discovered that his vehicle registration sticker was missing. As he drove away, he observed a tow truck in the vicinity.
Police advise the public that when an officer requests a tow truck, the officer stays with the vehicle until the tow truck arrives.
Police ask anyone who sees any suspicious activity around parked vehicles to call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.