A worker for a Northern Virginia towing company with a history of complaints -- including a rant by ESPN reporter Britt McHenry -- is accused of stealing pricey valuables from cars.
Phillip Pierce, 35, was arrested early Sunday and charged with grand larceny. Arlington County Police said fellow workers at Advanced Towing Company saw Pierce appearing to move items from the tow truck he had been driving to his personal car.
"This is really a violation of the trust of the community," police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said.
Pierce's coworkers called police after they spotted him going from tow truck to his own car several times with items in his hands. They called 911, police said.
A short time later, police saw a tow truck towing a car improperly on Wilson Boulevard in the Ballston area. They stopped the tow truck and saw expensive items and burglary tools inside, police said.
"We found some electronics, laptops, as well as some high-end items like purses," Savage said.
Advanced Towing declined to comment about Pierce's arrest.
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The company has been the subject of dozens of complaints in recent years, police said. Drivers have accused the company of predatory practices and of damaging cars.
McHenry, the ESPN reporter, was caught on video berating an employee of the company after her car was towed in the Clarendon area. She later apologized.
Pierce, who was charged with grand larceny, is believed to have stolen items from at least three cars.
Police advise drivers to never leave valuables in their cars.
