More Problems For Local Company Accused Of Illegal Towing

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - More troubles for a Fort Worth towing company. The state is now investigating Black Bull Towing after seeing our report of a tow truck driver hauling off a car with the driver still inside!

The video shot by CBS 11 News started the whole thing. The video got the state's attention and so did our interviews with people towed from outside a Fort Worth Dollar General Store. The state does have the ability to shut towing companies down and we found out, in practice, punishment is also negotiable.

Byron Porter remembers how the tow truck driver appeared to intentionally drive off with him inside his car. "And then I stepped out, like this, and I was leaning in. And I think he saw me reaching for the keys, because as I was reaching for the keys, he hurried up and took off again."

Porter says he ended up half in and half out of the car. "I know he saw me back there. He saw me in the driver's seat and he smiled at me."

Two weeks earlier, Black Bull Towing received a letter from the property owner in Fort Worth, ordering them to "stop any and all towing." The correspondence might be why the car, belonging to Porter's cousin Tatiyana Brown, re-appeared an hour later – with what Porters said was a newly damaged bumper.

Looking at her car, Brown had a message for the tow company. "You messed my baby up. You know you did something wrong. That's why you brought the car back.

Fort Worth police are now also investigating possibly charging Black Bull with theft and criminal mischief. After watching our report, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is also investigating the company.

This isn't the first time Black Bull has run afoul of the law. Two years ago, TDLR found enough evidence of the company towing "lawfully parked" cars to shut the business down and issue a $43,300 fine. The agency, however, offered instead to reduce the punishment to a one-year suspension and a $32,475 fine. In the end, Black Bull paid just $8,300 and kept on towing.

Byron Porter's father, Doug, thinks action needs to be taken now. "This company has to be stopped. It can't keep going on and on… with a spank on the hand."

Doug Porter said he learned about what happened to his son by watching our story. "The look on his face, it looked scared to me. It looked scared to me."

The family is now considering suing Black Bull and is seeking legal advice.

"[I'm] just angry, just mad about this situation," Byron Porter said frustrated, but determined. "No one's been able to stop them. I'll stop them."

[I'm] just angry, just mad about this situation."

We reached out to Black Bull Towing again for comment, but they have not responded to any of our calls. An attorney, who has sued Black Bull before, said people who are unlawfully towed are entitled to compensation. The problem is they will likely spend more on attorney's fees, than the damage amount awarded.

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