July 27, 2006 – The Abandoned Vehicle and Beautification Task Force is urging V.I. residents to take down the business names and license plate numbers of tow truck operators who illegally abandon vehicles in isolated areas, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the governor's office.
"We are increasingly experiencing instances where abandoned cars are being deposited along roadsides or at public dump sites in clear violation of public law," task force chairman James O'Bryan said.
Noting that the cars were clearly dumped by tow truck operators, O'Bryan went on to state that the task force "intends to refer these operators to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs with the request to suspend or invalidate their business licenses."
O'Bryan also noted that it is illegal to obliterate the vehicle identification number (VIN) from a vehicle. He said the task force intends to bring charges with the Department of Justice against the last registered owner of an abandoned vehicle, as well as charges for obliterating the VIN number.
Convictions carry a maximum jail sentence of six months and up to a $5,000 fine.
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