Li Ko Sheriff’s Office: Towing company accused of stealing cars from Yang’s victims

NORTH FORT MYERS, Florida — The Lee County Sheriff’s Department says three suspects are charged with stealing cars, boats and golf carts from victims of Hurricane Yan. They got out of prison and told Fox 4 that they were suspected of lying.

According to the police report, the case began in November when the suspects allegedly started stealing cars. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation in January when the first incident became known.

“This is a scam on every level,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. “One of their scams is towing hurricane-damaged cars and lying to owners sent to them by the insurance company.”

The owner of a towing company in Philadelphia claims that this is not true.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” said Gerje Markder, owner of Blessing Towing. “It didn’t happen, there are no stolen cars. We didn’t steal cars. We’re not here to steal cars.”

In a police report obtained by Fox 4, the alleged scam involving insurance companies has occurred at least twice since November 2022. The other seized vehicles were simply broken down, which is how detectives traced her to Blessing Towing, which operates out of a precinct in North Fort Myers, Marceno said.

“The big turning point in the case came when the victim reported that his car had broken down and left the roadway and disappeared,” Marceno explained.

They will then charge owners double the fee to return their vehicles, the report said. The company charged a $175 towing fee on top of $75 per day. However, Lee County’s ordinance limits the daily fee to $35.

Marceno says they found nine stolen cars, a trailer, three golf carts and two boats, all at a property in North Fort Myers owned by Zulma Robles, a suspect in the case.

“Yes, I towed them,” Markder said. “We have documents for every car.”

When Fox 4 asked for paperwork or a business license, it stated that the sheriff’s office took it all.

According to government records, Blessing Towing is registered for a government license that began in December 2022. The Lee County Revenue Authority says they have a license to do business in Lee County. The police report says the company violated other towing regulations, including failing to notify law enforcement of the vehicle being towed and other operational issues.

“Just allegations that are not true,” Robles said. “We were persecuted from the very beginning, from day one.”

A total of 23 charges were brought against them, including theft of cars in large sizes, maintenance of a car service, since they had at least seven stolen cars among other charges.

“You get those select few who don’t want to help, who want to prey on people,” Marceno said.

Both Robles and Markder say they are going to fight the allegations.