In a move to curb the rising menace of illegal towing in Happy Valley, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, along with multiple regulatory agencies, executed a sting on July 30, 2025, that resulted in the arrest of three individuals. The operation was a response to a spate of complaints about unlicensed towing businesses that had been flouting Oregon law, threatening both consumer safety and the livelihoods of legally-operating companies.
These rogue operations, as detailed in a press release from the Sheriff's Office, come with the risk of additional criminal activity including, but not limited to, the exploits carried out under the veneer of legitimacy. Despite previous formal warnings by the State Board of Towing, these towing entities maintained business without proper licensing, a violation that carries with it the weight of a Class A misdemeanor under Oregon state law, ORS 822.200.
The multi-agency mission, which included the DMV and the Oregon State Board of Towing, netted not only arrests but also towed trucks—one impounded. The endeavor revealed five towing operations that were referred for further civil penalties and enforcement. It's a straightforward message: the county will not tolerate those who sidestep the regulations laid down to protect the community and ensure a fair playing ground for all businesses.
The broader impact of the enforcement's reach was evident in its tally, with one driver cited for a string of violations, including no driver’s license, expired vehicle registration, and failure to register a vehicle. Moreover, commercial vehicle safety standards were put under the microscope, resulting in 19 violations spotted during three vehicle inspections, as per the Sheriff’s Office's statement.
For those who've fallen victims to predatory towing practices, or those with suspicions of illegal activity involving tow trucks, the Sheriff's Office has an open door—that's an email, to be precise. They encourage communications to [email protected].
