San Antonio Tourists Left Fuming After Vehicles Towed Prematurely
In the heart of San Antonio, a troubling situation unfolded for several tourists this past weekend at the Shops at Rivercenter. Sabrina Vega, a visitor enjoying her holiday, stepped out of the popular shopping center only to find herself in a bewildering predicament—her car was nowhere to be seen. She quickly realized she wasn’t alone; other tourists were also standing around the parking lot, scratching their heads over missing vehicles. The culprit? An early towing spree by a company called Platinum Parking.
The Towing Drama Unfolds
At first, Sabrina thought maybe she had simply misremembered where she parked. But, as she glanced at the chaos around her, it became apparent that several families were equally befuddled. “I saw these other people and there were quite a few families that were left here in the parking lot wondering where their vehicles were,” she recalled later. Frustration began to build, and before long, a few tourists decided to ring up the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) to report the bizarre situation.
The police report revealed some startling revelations. For one vehicle, tow records indicated it was taken just 18 minutes before its parking period expired. Then there was Sabrina’s vehicle—a bit more intriguing. The towing company claimed they hooked her car at exactly 5:27 p.m., coincidentally the very moment Sabrina was on the phone with the police about her missing car. “I came back two hours later, which is what I paid for, and my car was already gone,” she expressed, disbelief shining through her frustration.
Community Concerns Raised
The police officer who responded to the situation noted in their report that the towing company was “known for towing early, or grabbing the vehicle as its time is going to expire.” This information did little to calm the tension felt by the tourists left stranded.
Feeling the brunt of growing complaints, KENS 5 reached out to Platinum Parking, hoping to address these concerns. Multiple attempts were made through phone calls, emails, and even a visit to their nearby office. Yet, every effort met with silence—no responses came from manager Albert Cuellar or regional manager Jose Ponce. KENS 5 even contacted Platinum Parking offices in other Texas cities, but they too failed to provide any insights.
A Local Leader Takes Action
At that point, San Antonio Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, who represents Council District 1 where the mall is located, was approached for further assistance. Kaur acknowledged the issue, stating, “Most of the tourists that come in come in to visit district 1 and we want to make sure that they are having a good experience.” She recognized how finding one’s car towed could tarnish any visitor’s experience, hence ensuring it was important to address this dilemma.
Kaur noted her office had also made several calls to Platinum Parking, but the company remained unresponsive. Though she did manage to reach out to the towing company, she highlighted that any official complaints would need to go through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Seeking Accountability
Meanwhile, the general manager of Shops at Rivercenter, Jerry Wiggins, acknowledged the past collaborations with Platinum Parking and committed to helping shed light on the issue by securing a response from them. This whole scenario raises an essential question: what’s being done to protect tourists from unfair towing practices?
If you find yourself in a similar situation or have a problem affecting your daily life, KENS 5 encourages readers to reach out for assistance through their series, “Call KENS.” You can call 210-470-KENS or fill out an online form to report fixes for any ongoing issues. The aim is to ensure peace of mind for everyone who visits and lives in San Antonio.
