Tow Truck Operator and Used Car Dealer Receive Sentences for Involvement in Car Theft Scheme
A tow truck operator and a used car dealer have been sentenced for their involvement in a motor vehicle theft scheme in New York. This case highlights the serious implications of fraudulent activities within the towing and used car industries.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that an investigation conducted by her office in collaboration with the New York State Police (NYSP) uncovered a scheme orchestrated by John F. Rivers, a resident of East Greenbush. Rivers exploited his towing company’s contracts with local businesses to unlawfully steal vehicles. He then sold these stolen vehicles to scrap yards or used car dealers, including Robert A. Pitcher from Broadalbin.
Both Rivers and Pitcher faced over 30 felony charges for stealing and selling vehicles that had been towed from various parking lots across the region. In December 2025, Rivers pleaded guilty to grand larceny, while Pitcher admitted to criminal possession of stolen property. On February 5, Rivers received a sentence of two to six years in prison, whereas Pitcher was sentenced to five years of probation.
The investigation revealed that from October 2022 to August 2024, Rivers targeted vehicles left overnight in the parking lots of local businesses. Notable locations included a Walmart in Latham, a Hannaford in Albany, and a Home Depot in Rensselaer. Rivers would tow these vehicles under the guise of legitimate towing operations, only to sell them illegally.
Once the vehicles were in his possession, Rivers sold them to Pitcher, who would then forge ownership documents to facilitate resale. Rivers also assisted Pitcher in creating falsified titles and other necessary paperwork. This fraudulent activity directly violated towing regulations, which require companies to notify vehicle owners within five days and hold the vehicles for 30 days before attempting to claim their titles.
Prosecutors indicated that Rivers often sold vehicles within days of towing them, without notifying the rightful owners. When these owners attempted to reclaim their cars, they were met with either silence or exorbitant fees—sometimes as high as $1,000 per day for storage. This practice not only victimized car owners but also undermined the trust local businesses had in towing services.
In one notable instance, NYSP investigators parked an undercover Hyundai Sonata in a Walmart parking lot in Latham, where Rivers had a towing contract. The vehicle was towed that night and brought to Rivers Asset Recovery, with the registered owner never informed of the tow. Two months later, the Sonata was transported to a chop shop in Massachusetts, where it was dismantled for parts. To this day, the vehicle’s registered owner remains unaware that their car was towed and subsequently sold.
“This sentencing has brought to justice individuals who engaged in fraud and larceny, impacting car owners and scamming local businesses who had trust in them,” stated New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
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A tow truck operator and a used car dealer have been sentenced for their involvement in a motor vehicle theft scheme in New York. This case highlights the serious implications of fraudulent activities within the towing and used car industries.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that an investigation conducted by her office in collaboration with the New York State Police (NYSP) uncovered a scheme orchestrated by John F. Rivers, a resident of East Greenbush. Rivers exploited his towing company’s contracts with local businesses to unlawfully steal vehicles. He then sold these stolen vehicles to scrap yards or used car dealers, including Robert A. Pitcher from Broadalbin.
Both Rivers and Pitcher faced over 30 felony charges for stealing and selling vehicles that had been towed from various parking lots across the region. In December 2025, Rivers pleaded guilty to grand larceny, while Pitcher admitted to criminal possession of stolen property. On February 5, Rivers received a sentence of two to six years in prison, whereas Pitcher was sentenced to five years of probation.
The investigation revealed that from October 2022 to August 2024, Rivers targeted vehicles left overnight in the parking lots of local businesses. Notable locations included a Walmart in Latham, a Hannaford in Albany, and a Home Depot in Rensselaer. Rivers would tow these vehicles under the guise of legitimate towing operations, only to sell them illegally.
Once the vehicles were in his possession, Rivers sold them to Pitcher, who would then forge ownership documents to facilitate resale. Rivers also assisted Pitcher in creating falsified titles and other necessary paperwork. This fraudulent activity directly violated towing regulations, which require companies to notify vehicle owners within five days and hold the vehicles for 30 days before attempting to claim their titles.
Prosecutors indicated that Rivers often sold vehicles within days of towing them, without notifying the rightful owners. When these owners attempted to reclaim their cars, they were met with either silence or exorbitant fees—sometimes as high as $1,000 per day for storage. This practice not only victimized car owners but also undermined the trust local businesses had in towing services.
In one notable instance, NYSP investigators parked an undercover Hyundai Sonata in a Walmart parking lot in Latham, where Rivers had a towing contract. The vehicle was towed that night and brought to Rivers Asset Recovery, with the registered owner never informed of the tow. Two months later, the Sonata was transported to a chop shop in Massachusetts, where it was dismantled for parts. To this day, the vehicle’s registered owner remains unaware that their car was towed and subsequently sold.
“This sentencing has brought to justice individuals who engaged in fraud and larceny, impacting car owners and scamming local businesses who had trust in them,” stated New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
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