Drivers popping into nearby restaurants for a quick takeout run are finding out the hard way that the parking lot outside a CVS in Fort Worth’s Medical District is anything but friendly territory. A CBS I‑Team investigation captured tow truck crews sweeping through the private lot, targeting vehicles and hauling them off within minutes while owners were still waiting on their food.
Over three days of watching the lot, observers say the tow operators snapped photos of license plates, hooked up cars almost as soon as drivers walked away, and left several motorists paying roughly $135 to get their vehicles back. The rapid‑fire removals sparked questions about whether every tow was on solid legal ground and led officials to tell reporters that some of those drivers might actually qualify for refunds.
The I‑Team’s cameras showed trucks rolling in, scouting the rows and moving fast, at times beginning to hook vehicles just as owners were returning with their orders. According to CBS News Texas, multiple drivers reported paying about $135 to recover their cars, and officials indicated that refunds could be on the table once the station started pressing for answers. Between the video and eyewitness accounts, neighbors and regulars in the medical corridor are now openly wondering where consumer protection ends, and predatory towing begins.
What State Rules Allow
Texas law spells out what tow operators can and cannot do on private property, and it gives drivers some leverage if they catch a tow in progress. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation says that if you return to your car while it is only partly hooked up, you are allowed to take it back without paying. If the vehicle is fully hooked but still on the lot, you can demand a release for a “drop fee,” and for cars under 10,000 pounds, the statewide cap on that fee is $135…