Approximately 11PM last night, local patrons attending a Toys for tots benefit concert last night dug deeper in their pockets than expected last night, but it wasn’t for the charity, as at least a dozen cars were towed from an unmarked adjacent lot.
The lead singer of one of the headlining bands Eric Johnson of Feeding Affliction, employees of the sponsoring radio station 95x, and about a dozen other patrons attending the annual Toys for tots benefit at the historic Lost Horizon club on Thompson road in syracuse, held each year on thanksgiving eve, had their vehicle towed from the abandoned Mobil gas station adjacent to the club.
There was no warning, or request for anyone to move their cars before the towing started, and when someone noticed, and the announcement was made, a large crowd of people rushed outside, many to notice their cars had already been towed. The operators of the towtrucks were visually unsympathetic to their plight, continuing his job, ignoring people making a mad dash to their cars to avoid them being towed, including one vehicle that was not even on the truck yet, the flatbed driver continued attempt to haul away, even though the owner was clearly present trying to move his van. Amidst heated arguments, the towtrucks left, with the driver of the flatbed shouting obscenities and loudly and obviously laughing as he drove away.
After contacting the towing company, ones that got their cars towed were informed “they had an hour to come get their vehicles, or they were stuck in impound for the holiday.” forcing many to leave the benefit early, and pay on the spot $135 in towing and impound fees to even be able to have their car for thanksgiving. It is unknown how many were able to retrieve their cars, and how many were left stranded at the benefit to find their own way home in the snowstorm.
The former gas station has been boarded up for at least a decade, and had little or no markings or barriers to notify that people were not allowed to park there, The only noticeable sign on the property is of the real estate company. Jennifer w. of syracuse was quoted as saying “I’ve been parking there as long as I’ve been able to drive”., and “this was the most expensive concert I’ve ever been to”. Others were quoted “I’ve parked there hundreds of times without issue.”, and similar comments.
It is unclear whether a complaint was filed, or the towing company did this on their own. Owners of MC Field’s towing company on regal street in syracuse were unavailable for comment.
Additional donations to Toys for Tots may be made at http://toysfortots.org/donate/default.aspx or at one of their many local events.