UTICA, NY – On September 3, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Utica Police were called to the 700 block of Saratoga Street regarding a tow truck driver allegedly attempting to illegally remove a vehicle from a residence.
The vehicle’s owner informed officers that the driver had approached the residence and spoken to a relative, claiming he was there to take the vehicle. When questioned, the driver admitted that he had been in the area, saw the vehicle, assumed the owner might want to scrap it, and decided to tow it without the owner’s permission.
Utica Police also noted that similar unauthorized vehicle removals have been reported in recent weeks. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing to determine any connection to this individual.
After further investigation, Harold Wehrle, 56, of Frankfort, was charged with attempted grand larceny in the fourth degree and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. The case was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Utica Police Department.