Cherry Hill Man Illegally Towed Cars In PA Theft Scheme: Police

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — A Cherry Hill man faces charges after police say he illegally towed vehicles to get cash from drivers in a Pennsylvania gym parking lot.

Corey Goldstein, 32, was charged with multiple offenses in Falls Township, including theft, receiving stolen property, false report and attempted theft.

Police believe there could be more victims.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Patch, police responded April 10 to complaint calls from the Planet Fitness at Pennsbury Plaza on Plaza Boulevard in the Bucks County town.

An initial investigation revealed that a man reported his vehicle was towed from the parking lot, and the tow truck operator demanded $250 cash to return it, the complaint states.

The man stated he did not have the money, and Goldstein removed his vehicle, police said.

Goldstein returned minutes later and began to hook up to a second vehicle owned by another man, the complaint states. He demanded $250 to avoid towing.

Police arrived while the tow truck was connected to the man's vehicle, authorities said. Investigators determined that both vehicles were parked legally along a curb, not obstructing traffic or posing any safety risk, police said.

ARD Property Management, which manages the plaza, told police they allow Tow Decision Inc. (TDI) to post signs. However, TDI is not authorized to tow vehicles without a direct request from ARD or the business, police said.

The property management company stated they rarely request towing and never authorized the removal of these vehicles, police said.

Goldstein was operating a Stirling Tow Truck while wearing a shirt for “Corey’s Towing and Junk Cars” and gave inconsistent accounts of the incident, police said.

Goldstein initially claimed another driver towed the first vehicle but could not provide the driver’s last name or contact information. He repeatedly stated he could retrieve the vehicle from Philadelphia within minutes, police said.

An officer later located the man’s vehicle abandoned on a street in nearby Morrisville Borough and not at a secure tow yard, police said.

A third man, a Planet Fitness member, reported that Goldstein had twice demanded and received $200 cash to “drop” his vehicle in similar circumstances. The man provided a screenshot of a CashApp payment made directly to Goldstein, police said.

An investigator reportedly contacted the owner of TDI, who confirmed subcontracting with Stirling but refused further comment, the complaint read.

The owner of Stirling Tow told police that Goldstein admitted to lying about another driver being present. Stirling Tow could not confirm they were contacted by TDI or ARD Property Management to tow the vehicles, authorities said.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Police Officer Stephanie Metterle at 215-302-3311 or s.metterle@fallstwppd.com. Tips may also be provided anonymously at 215-949-9120 or tiplines@fallstwppd.com.