Tenasia Benjamin says a tow after her Buick's key fob failed escalated into a months-long dispute: an initial $275 tow allegedly ballooned to $1,300 while she paid more than $500 and still cannot access her car. Benjamin claims Ray Harris Towing discarded a laptop, an iPad and $400 in cash, citing mold. Her attorney filed a police report after the vehicle was traced to a Fort Mill, South Carolina storage lot; the tow company may lack authority to cross state lines. The case highlights how variable lien laws, fast-rising storage fees and informal consent practices can leave vehicle owners with limited options.
Charlotte Woman Alleges Tow Company Held Her Car Hostage, Threw Out Electronics and $400
Image Credit: WBTV.
A routine call for roadside assistance turned into a months-long ordeal for Tenasia Benjamin, a Charlotte-area woman who says Ray Harris Towing refused to return her Buick, increased fees without her approval and discarded personal items that were inside the vehicle.
What Happened
Benjamin says she called Ray Harris Towing after her Buick's key fob stopped working while she was relocating between domestic violence shelters. She alleges the initial tow charge of $275 escalated over several transactions — to $550, $600 and ultimately as high as $1,300 — even though Cash App records show she paid more than $500 during that period and still cannot access her car.
Missing Belongings
According to Benjamin, when she offered to retrieve items from the vehicle to help cover fees, the towing company told her the belongings had already been discarded because of mold. She says the lost items included a laptop, an iPad and $400 in cash. Her attorney, Jesse Collin, has said he believes the company's conduct may cross from a civil billing dispute into criminal territory.
Legal And Jurisdictional Concerns
Benjamin and Collin filed a report with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. They say the vehicle was later tracked to a storage facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Federal transportation records reviewed by reporters suggest Ray Harris Towing may not be authorized to transport vehicles across state lines, which raises additional legal questions. The company's registered agent, Johnathan Emanuel Ray, reportedly faces pending charges in Union County, N.C., including driving with a revoked license and fleeing law enforcement.
Garageman's Lien And Storage Fees
Once a towing company takes custody of a vehicle, many states grant it a "garageman's lien," allowing the operator to hold the car until fees are paid. However, lien statutes, documentation requirements and what counts as "authorized" repairs vary widely by state. Daily storage charges — often $25 to $75 or more — can quickly balloon into amounts that exceed a vehicle's market value, sometimes prompting a lien sale.
Industry Practices And Evidence
Towing and roadside operators often work with less formal paperwork than licensed repair shops, which can make disputes about authorization and charges difficult to resolve. Text messages and electronic payment records, which Benjamin has provided in part, can be critical evidence, but they may not capture verbal discussions or informal agreements.
Consumer Takeaways
Document everything: Keep written records, photos and receipts when a tow or repair is requested. Ask for written authorization before repairs and get a written release policy if possible. Act quickly: Storage fees and lien timelines can escalate fast; know where your vehicle is taken and check local regulations for release procedures.
"Towing remains one of the least uniformly regulated service sectors in the U.S.," says Collin, reflecting a broader consumer-protection gap advocates say needs state-level reform.
At last report, Benjamin's car remained at a South Carolina storage facility and she was continuing to pursue police and legal avenues to recover the vehicle and seek accountability.
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