Thieves steal tow truck, then ditch it but take the tools
Dec 29, 2021, 7:36 PM | Updated: Mar 27, 2024, 5:21 pm
On Tuesday morning, a tow truck driver for McNeil’s AAA woke up to find her work truck gone. She reported it to the West Valley City Police Department, but it was officers from the Unified Police Department that were notified of the heavy duty truck being located in Millcreek on Wednesday.
“It’s just disheartening,” McNeil’s manager Ruth Aukusitino said.
Someone stole a tow truck, took all the tools and 40 batteries then dumped it.
“It’s disheartening” — McNeil’s AAA’s manager said.
And it’s criminal.
Be careful if you’re buying batteries from a secondhand source rn! @KSL5TV at 10p.m. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/a8Aek9NDjl
— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) December 29, 2021
The truck had 40-50 car batteries, brand new tools the truck driver just got and towing equipment stolen. Aukusitino estimates a $10,000 hit for the company and said they aren’t sure the truck is drivable after the damage done on the inside.
“They broke the handle off, took out the GPS and camera, and tore apart the starter,” Aukusitino said. “For whatever reason, decided to start the fire extinguisher in the truck.”
McNeil’s AAA is coming off of a busy season with snowstorms and staffing shortages. Aukusitino said they have other trucks out of service because there have been delays getting parts to fix them. She thinks this stolen truck will have an impact on their business, but most of all she is disappointed someone would do this to a local businesss in their community.
“It’s just not a good way to end the year,” Aukusitino said.