Methuen Police suspends contract with Valley Towing after complaints

METHUEN, Mass. — The Methuen Police Dept. suspended its service agreement with Valley Towing, Inc. last month after receiving complaints about the company’s business practices, according to a memo from Chief Scott McNamara.

McNamara’s memo informed Valley Towing President Ronald Parrino the city would stop using its services on Jan. 21 pending the results of an investigation.

“This action is being taken predicated upon complaints recently received by this office…which may constitute violations of the…agreement which are being reviewed and investigated by this Department,” McNamara said in the memo.

Boston 25 News first reported on consumer complaints against Valley Towing in 2018. The Department of Public Utilities performed an audit of Valley Towing invoices that same year. The audit found 29 out of 752 tow slips were not in compliance with state regulations, resulting in $1,080 in refunds, according to a department spokesperson. The City of Lawrence later discontinued its relationship with Valley Towing following DPU’s audit.

“After a review of the Department of Public Utilities findings in 2018, the Administration at that time decided to stop using that company,” Lawrence Det. Thomas Cuddy said.

Chris Nesbitt has been complaining about his experience with Valley Towing for almost five years. Nesbitt said the company hauled his car away after he got into an accident in 2016. Nesbitt filed a lawsuit that accused Valley Towing of violating state law by selling his car to a salvage yard without his knowledge. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

“Frustrating. It’s been years of frustration,” Nesbitt said. “I feel vindicated they’ve finally been taken off the police towing rotation. That’s a good start.”

David Lee said Valley Towing removed his truck in 2017 from the parking lot of a property he managed, then sold it to a salvage yard where it was stripped for parts.

“It’s really frustrating, especially at the beginning when you feel violated,” Lee said.

Lee and Nesbitt believe Methuen’s investigation should result in criminal charges.

“We’d like to see criminal charges pressed. We’d like to be vindicated,” Nesbitt said.

McNamara and Parrino did not respond to Boston 25 News’ request for comment.

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