>
> For instance, in NZ, most people I'm sure back down meekly
>

most :-)

> when a beefy, hairy, oily, police-approved


maybe vetted and non-dis-approved :-)


> tow truck driver has
> their car hooked up and says it's off to the pound. Why argue,
> these guys do it all day, they know the law
>
> They do. But they still don't care.

In at least one Auckland yard, a 6x6 post dropped just so into the track of
the electrically operated gate as a dearly ransomed car ahead of the one of
interest to you gives you access to the yard subsequently. [Not my car -
younger members of dinner party  entrapped by the old "pile of rubbish
boxes over the advisory sign trick". Could not be certain that shop
concerned and tow truck driver were colluding, but seemed likely.]

During the long now ago commonwealth games in Auckland I took a half day
off to attend an afternoon at games with the family. My card carrying car
had been towed from its car park. My wife had to collect me up
unexpectedly. After wards I scaled their security yard fence to check the
car, card etc prior to involving them, so that  I was sure there would be
no problems with reclaiming it. No dogs in yard :-). No $ paid, of course,
but I suspect they still owe me a free bonus tow one day. I'll try not to
have to try to collect.


> The actual law is quite clear though. If you get in the car, you
> are then deemed to be in control of it. Towing of the car with
> you in it is theft and pretty close to kidnapping
>
> http://www.ns.org.nz/13.html
>
> We used to be told that if they did not have it "up on the hoist" that yo=
u
could reclaim it. I've seen a few people manage. I've made a strong point
(so far successful) of not needing to test it.

________

"... The brake bleeding screws were removed rendering the brakes useless
.... "
I'd say that that would be arguably a criminal act and at minimum worthy or
restoration to prior state. It requires replacement of fluid and bleeding
of the system (not a major task) and carries some risk of brake failure
subsequently in a more complex system (eg ABS with fluid return hoses) due
to air having been purposefully admitted to the system.



           Russell
--=20
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