A Wheelersburg family thought their vehicle had been stolen—until the story took a turn into the complicated world of repossessions.
The caller reached out to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office after discovering their vehicle was gone. They believed it had been repossessed and asked dispatch to check for any record of the tow.
There wasn’t one.
Dispatch checked the system and found no repossession logged for that address. That’s a problem, because in Ohio, companies handling non-consensual tows—like repossessions—are typically required to notify local law enforcement shortly after the vehicle is taken. That helps prevent exactly this kind of confusion and keeps stolen vehicle reports from being filed unnecessarily.
When dispatch tried to contact the towing company, they hit a dead end at first—calls went straight to a full voicemail box.
Eventually, they were able to reach someone. The company said the vehicle had been taken on behalf of Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation, the financing arm tied to Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.
⚖️ WHAT OHIO LAW EXPECTS
In plain terms:
- Repo and tow companies should report non-consensual tows to police quickly
- That report helps confirm the vehicle wasn’t stolen
- It also gives law enforcement a record in case questions come up
When that doesn’t happen, it can trigger panic—and unnecessary police calls.
🚨 WHY THESE SITUATIONS CAN TURN DANGEROUS
Repossession isn’t just paperwork and tow trucks—it can get volatile fast.
You might remember a case from a few years back when a local tow driver was shot and killed during a repossession attempt across the river in Kentucky. Others at the scene were also wounded. A grand jury later declined to bring murder charges in that case.
It’s a reminder that when people think their property is being taken—especially if they don’t realize it’s a legal repo—things can escalate in seconds.
👀 WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAR GOES MISSING
Before assuming the worst:
- Call your lender or finance company first
- Ask law enforcement if a tow was reported
- Don’t confront a tow driver on your own
And for tow companies, clear communication isn’t just good business—it can keep everyone safe.
In this case, deputies were able to sort it out. But for a while, it looked a whole lot like a stolen vehicle—and that’s where the trouble starts.