The Fort Myers Police Department today (Thursday) arrested Thomas Corrie, 38, of 313 Austin Ave., Lehigh, and charged him with several violations of Florida State Statue 715.07 vehicles or vessels parked on private property; towing.

Fort Myers Police said that on February 21 after the Edison Festival of Light Parade, officers received numerous complaints about the towing of 29 vehicles from private property located at 1542 Carson Street.

Chief Doug Baker assigned a detective to investigate the complaints and then submitted the case to the State Attorney’s Office for review. Corrie is the manager of GAP Transport and was driving the tow truck that night. Police arrested Corrie with one count of scheming to defraud (felony violation), two counts of improper towing (one felony violation and one misdemeanor violation).

Police said the owner of the business has agreed to reimburse the people whose vehicles were towed improperly on the day of the parade, from the Carson Street location.

Detectives assigned to the case will contact those individuals to arrange payment. The Fort Myers Police Department is committed to investigating complaints regarding improper towing incidents, a spokesman said. Ordinances that relate to towing procedures in other cities are currently being reviewed to ensure that the citizens of Fort Myers are best served, said Shelly Flynn, a spokeswoman with the police department.