With Legally-Parked Car Towed, Suburban Couple Left Stranded On Dark Detroit Street

DETROIT (WWJ) -- If you're heading to Detroit you could have your car towed even if you're parked legally. It happened to a couple from the suburbs, who said they're wary of returning to the city.

The two were attending an outdoor dinner at Milliken Park on the east side of downtown Detroit this week. Their car was parked on Atwater St. near Riopelle St. just across from the park, but when they returned after dinner -- it was gone.

"It doesn't say 'Tow Away Zone,' it doesn't say 'No Parking," said Kate, who didn't want her last name used.

Kate and her husband eventually realized the car had been towed and not stolen. That's when things got even more scary.

"At 10:49 on the dot, all of the lights went out," Kate said. "We were literally just standing in the dark."

The couple got a ride home and later went to the towing company early the next morning. After paying a $230 fine, they got their car back.

But that's not all they got back -- it came with a $45 ticket as well.

Mayor Mike Duggan's office had no comment on the situation other than that they're letting Detroit police handle it.

Police say the officer ticketed and towed the car because it was "impeding traffic."