Towing company owner arrested

Rosse

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — Paul J. Rosse, the owner of Paul’s Towing in Hart, was arrested yesterday by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly “ghost towing.”

“A ‘ghost tow’ is the term used to describe when a suspect would call in a situation to a company like AAA and request a tow, usually a long distance tow that may cost several hundred dollars,” explained Lt. Craig Mast of the OCSO. “The suspect then does not send any tow at all but collects (money) from AAA.”

Rosse has allegedly been “ghost towing” over the last few months, Mast said.

Rosse bonded out of the Oceana County Jail on a $5,000/10 percent bond. His AAA contract has been cancelled, Mast said.

“This situation was brought to the sheriff’s office attention by the fraud detection office at AAA,” the lieutenant said. “After numerous interviews with employees, prior employees, customers and other witnesses, an extensive report has been delivered to the Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney’s office where upon a felony warrant was issued on June 2.” Rosse turned himself in to authorities Tuesday afternoon.