CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Charlotte-Mecklenburg detectives say they are dealing with a dramatic increase in car thefts from "rogue" tow truck drivers this year.
Police said the drivers have stolen 20 vehicles from interstates and highways this year, compared to only five last year. The cars are at least 10 years old and have either broken down or run out of gas, police said.
Officers said a car can be stolen and scrapped in a matter of hours.
Police expect the problem to get worse because of the high price of metal. Detectives said it is risky for any driver to leave a car unattended on the side of the road.