Tow Truck Driver Faces Fresh Allegations of Deception in Vehicle Thefts
A tow truck driver who was previously charged with stealing vehicles from crash scenes is now facing new accusations of using deceptive tactics to take two more cars late last year.
Maximillian Gasienica, 27, is accused of arriving uninvited at accident scenes, pretending to be an authorized tow operator, and convincing crash victims to sign over their vehicles. According to the Chicago Police Department, Gasienica posed as an employee of State Farm Insurance and a city-contracted towing company in two separate incidents in the winter.
On December 30, Gasienica allegedly approached a 53-year-old man at a crash scene in Grant Park and claimed to be with State Farm Insurance. He persuaded the man to sign a towing waiver and towed away the man’s 2015 Chevy Malibu, refusing to return it despite the owner’s attempts to retrieve it.
Just over a month earlier, on November 20, Gasienica allegedly used similar tactics to take a car from a 24-year-old woman in River North. Police reported that he falsely claimed to work for a company contracted to tow vehicles for the City of Chicago.
The woman signed a tow waiver, and Gasienica towed her Mercedes SUV, resulting in her insurance company having to pay a substantial amount to retrieve the vehicle.
Gasienica is facing two counts each of theft by deception, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and soliciting tow services at crash scenes in connection with the recent allegations. He is also facing similar charges from three earlier incidents this year, where he allegedly stole vehicles from crash scenes without authorization.
Chicago Police Department issued a warning in March about a rogue tow truck driver stealing cars from crash scenes in the South Loop. While Gasienica is not charged with those incidents, the department advised drivers to be cautious of unsolicited tows and to verify the credentials of tow operators before agreeing to their services.
Police recommend that drivers do not give in to high-pressure tactics, check and verify a tow operator’s municipal license number, and keep a copy of their license plate and vehicle identification number in a safe place for reference in case of theft.
Stay informed with original reporting supported by our readers. Click here to support our work.
