Boston man facing numerous charges after tow truck scam attempt

BOSTON, November 5, 2024 – A 33-year-old man was charged Monday in West Roxbury BMC for operating a tow truck with a suspended license and for attempting to extort a customer after towing her vehicle, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.   

TYRONE RUTLEDGE, 33, of Boston was charged with attempt to commit a crime, extortion by false report of a crime, witness intimidation, number plate violation, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, uninsured motor vehicle, and several civil motor vehicle infractions.

Judge Maureen Flaherty set bail at $100 and ordered Rutledge to return to court December 11 for a pre-trial hearing.

Rutledge also pleaded guilty Monday to a previous operating a motor vehicle without a license case and received a $100 fine. Rutledge has a pending firearm case out of Suffolk Superior scheduled for trial in February 2025.

After his West Roxbury arraignment, Rutledge was transported to Dedham District Court, where last August he pleaded guilty to a receiving a stolen motor vehicle charge and received a suspended sentence. A judge ordered Rutledge held pending a November 22 probation violation hearing based on the new charge.

At about 10:05 p.m. on November 2, Boston police met with a woman on Walk Hill Street who reported her car had been towed and the tow truck driver was attempting to extort her.

The victim told officers she contacted the tow company called “Up N Down Towing” and spoke to the owner, later identified as Rutledge. Rutledge told her that he towed her vehicle because it was improperly registered and not insured. However, the Boston Transportation Department later confirmed that the victim’s vehicle was properly registered to her. After learning this, Rutledge then told the victim “Oh, so my truck driver gave me the wrong information.” Rutledge then informed her that if she wanted her car back, she would have to go to his residence in Roxbury and provide cash. Rutledge then told the victim he would return her car for $300.

Officers were on scene with the victim when Rutledge and a female, later identified as Brittney Rivera, arrived in a tow truck. Officers observed Rutledge, who was driving, switch seats with Rivera. Officers recognized Rutledge from an earlier police bulletin stating that Rutledge was illegally towing motor vehicles and operating on a suspended license. Officers asked Rutledge to exit the truck.  He did not comply. After multiple ignored verbal commands, officers placed Rutledge into custody. Rivera told officers “he wasn’t driving, I was!” Rivera also did not comply with officers’ exit commands.

Officers eventually learned that Rivera’s license had also been suspended. Rivera, 32, of Boston will be arraigned on a later date.

After further investigation, officers discovered the tow truck bore attached, or improper, plates.

“The only way we can move forward on these types of crimes is when victims come forward rather than simply giving in to whatever scam is being attempted on them.  That’s exactly what this victim did, and she deserves a great deal of credit for her quick and correct decision,” Hayden said.

With financial exploitation and abuse on the rise, District Attorney Hayden recently launched the Suffolk County Fraud Fighters, a multi-agency effort to help residents, particularly older adults, recognize common scams and signs of financial fraud. The next Fraud Fighters presentation is during International Fraud Awareness week on November 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the South Boston Neighborhood House located at 136 H Street in South Boston.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications