Towed Vehicles

The Mechanicsburg Village Ordinance OBC 95.07 and state law authorizes law enforcement to tow vehicles for certain violations and departmental policy may require our road patrol to tow vehicles when taking enforcement action for certain violations.

IF YOUR VEHICLE IS TOWED PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY

If you are not the Owner of the Vehicle Please Notify the Owner Immediately

The Owner MUST come to the Mechanicsburg Police Department in person, and the owner MUST provide the following items before a vehicle can be released to be operated on the roadway:

• PROOF OF OWNERSHIP;
  • TITLE (if individually owned);
  • IRS Form SS-4 (if owned by a sole proprietorship company);
  • If registered as an “LLC” or other “Corporation” a notarized letter from an individual authorized under their Articles of Incorporation;
  • If an owner has lost IRS form SS-4 and the name on the registration or title matches the name on a form of identification (ID card from foreign nation / Passport) then a sworn statement (in affidavit form) stating that you are the owner of the sole proprietorship company.
• A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE or, as an alternative, be accompanied by a SUBSTITUTE DRIVER WITH A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE;
• VALID PROOF OF INSURANCE on the vehicle;
• VALID REGISTRATION on the vehicle; and
• Pay all impoundment fees.

If the owner of the vehicle cannot retrieve their vehicle personally due to incarceration or otherwise unavailable, an alternative representative may be authorized to claim the vehicle.  This may be accomplished only with a notarized Power of Attorney or notarized Authorization describing the vehicle, the owner’s name, and the name of the person authorized to claim the vehicle (the authorized person must bring all the above documents required). 

If the owner or authorized representative of the vehicle cannot provide the above documents (apart from proof of ownership), the vehicle may only be released by a personal tow or a tow company if proof of ownership is obtained, after payment of all impoundment fees is received by Mechanicsburg Police Department.

Tow and Impound Fees (OBC 95.07)

                                          Tow Fee:                                 $200.00 (minimum fee if normal tow on medium duty                                                     truck or sedan)

Administrative Fee:               $25.00

Initial Storage Fee:                 $25.00

Daily Storage Fee:                  $25.00

                                    Club Rental Fee:                     $25.00

The cost of most tows and impounds if picked up the following business day after the tow is $250.00.  If the vehicle is towed on a Friday there are no additional storage fees assessed over that first weekend if the vehicle is picked up the following Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday)

WARNING: If the owner does not pick up their vehicle within three (3) business days of the tow, a certified letter with return receipt will be sent to the last known address of the owner and any lien holders.  If the vehicle is not picked up within 10 days from date of receiving of the notice, the vehicle will be forfeited to the Village of Mechanicsburg and sold at public auction. (R.C. 4513.61 and R.C. 4513.62).

Vehicle Releases will only be provided Monday - Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM except holidays and weekends unless the Chief of Police makes alternative arrangements with you

Mechanicsburg Police only accept cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order for release of the Vehicle.

IMMOBILIZED VEHICLES

If your vehicle is towed for violation of certain Ohio law and Village ordinance your vehicle may be subject to pretrial immobilization and if convicted immobilization of the vehicle for a period of time. The most common violations include but are not limited to:

• Wrongful Entrustment of a Motor Vehicle;
  • Please note that Wrongful Entrustment is treated as a mandatory pretrial immobilization, but the owner may request release of the vehicle at arraignment and the vehicle will be released if you provide the Mechanicsburg Police Department with a written release from the court and pay all fees and provide all documentation required.
• Driving under OVI suspension;
• Driving under ALS suspension; or
• Driving while operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) second or more violations within ten (10) years.

If your vehicle is subject to pretrial immobilization you will be issued a court date within 5 business days of the stop, and it is important that you act immediately to reduce personal costs.  The Mechanicsburg Police Department has three (3) different options to enforce immobilization while reducing the cost to the owner of the vehicle:

• Option 1 - Your vehicle may be stored inside the Mechanicsburg Police Department Impound Yard for the duration of the immobilization if you agree to the following conditions:
  • Sign an Immobilization Agreement within the Police Impound,
  • payment of initial towing fees, and storage up to the signing of the agreement;  and
  • an additional $100 per 30 days of immobilization.
    • Please note the following:
      • If convicted and the immobilization is enforced by the court the plates will be turned over to the courts and the owner will need to obtain new plates upon the end of immobilization.
      • There is a 10-day grace period at the end of the immobilization period to pay all fees to the BMV and obtain new plates for the vehicle without additional charges. After 10 days the vehicle will be re-impounded and daily storage fees accrue, and notification will be sent per Ohio Law and Village Ordinance.
• Option 2 - Your vehicle may be immobilized to a location of your choosing within ten (10) miles of Mechanicsburg within Champaign County under the following conditions:
  • Payment of initial towing fees, and storage fees.
  • Rental or purchase of a sealed-in package steering wheel lock (The Club) and placement of said lock on vehicle by officer. (Rental Fee $25.00)
  • Removal by Tow Company or by private trailer to chosen location. (owner responsible for any additional fees to tow company)
    • Please note the following:
      • If the immobilization is not enforced by the court then the vehicle will be released (by removal of the steering wheel lock by an officer) you must contact the police department and be on site while club is removed.
      • If the immobilization is enforced an officer will come to the vehicles location and remove the license plates from the vehicle and return them to the court and the owner will need to obtain new plates upon the end of immobilization.
• Option 3 – Your vehicle may be stored at a location outside (Within Ohio) of Option 2 radius under the following conditions:
  • Purchase of a sealed-in package steering wheel lock (The Club) and bring said club to the Mechanicsburg Police Department sealed in package.
  • Payment of initial towing fees, and storage fees.
  • Removal by authorized tow companies to the chosen location. (owner responsible for any additional fees to tow company)
  • Signing of agreement allowing the Mechanicsburg Police Department to retain vehicle license plate for the duration of the immobilization period. 
    • Please note the following:
      • If convicted and the immobilization is enforced by the court the plates will be turned over to the courts and the owner will need to obtain new plates upon the end of immobilization.
      • If the immobilization is not enforced by the court, then the plates will be returned to the owner in person or via US Mail (owner’s choice) along with the steering wheel lock’s keys.

Warning: If option 2 or 3 are chosen Vehicle will be entered into the Law Enforcement Database as immobilized and if it is found being operated on the roadway during the immobilization period, the vehicle is subject to criminal forfeiture.