Stored / Impounded Vehicle Release Information

The registered/legal owner of the vehicle must obtain a Vehicle Release Form from the Angels Camp Police Department before the tow company will release the vehicle.

Forms may be obtained during business hours. If the business lobby is closed press the “push for help” button on the blue box phone to the right of the lobby door. The phone will connect you to the Calaveras Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center. The dispatcher will dispatch an Angels Camp Officer to you.

The following is required to obtain a Vehicle Release Form:

Vehicle must have current registration
The registered/legal owner, or his/her agent, must be present
Two licensed drivers
Proof of current insurance for the stored/impounded vehicle
$130.00 Administrative Release Fee

(22850.5(a) California Vehicle Code)

Once a Vehicle Release Form is obtained, the owner of the vehicle must present the form to the tow company and pay storage fees before the vehicle will be released. Contact the tow company for information on storage fees.

Vehicles are stored at:

Sam Berri Towing
1138 E. Hwy 4
Douglas Flat, CA 95247
(209) 728-3931

Under 14602.6 California Vehicle Code (CVC), whenever a peace officer determines that a person was driving while his or her driving privilege was suspended or revoked or without ever having been issued a driver’s license, the peace officer may immediately arrest that person and cause removal and seizure of that vehicle. A vehicle so impounded shall be impounded for 30 days. The registered owner, or his/her agent, is responsible for all towing and storage charges related to the impoundment, and any administrative charges authorized under 22850.5 CVC.

Under the provisions of 22852 CVC, you have the right to a hearing to determine the legality of the storage. If you choose to contest the storage, you must request the hearing in writing, in person, or by telephone to the Angels Camp Police Department. The vehicle storage hearing is an informal process to determine whether or not a vehicle was stored legally.

Your request for a hearing must be received within 10 days from the date of storage. If you request a hearing, it will be conducted within 48 hours of the request, excluding weekends and holidays. Your failure to request or attend a scheduled hearing shall satisfy the Post-Storage Validity requirements of 22852 CVC.

If the hearing determines the storage to be unlawful the Angels Camp Police Department will be responsible for the towing and storage charges.