3 Accused of Towing O.C. Cars Illegally

A Stanton towing company owner and two employees have been arrested on suspicion of illegally towing cars off private property and charging the owners for their return, prosecutors said Thursday.

Adam’s Towing owner Marianne Thanhminh Lai, 36; her husband and employee, Jaime Abel Chan Ramirez, 32; and employee Jose Rodrigo Torres-Diaz, 22, were arrested Wednesday. They face one count of conspiracy, four counts of unlawful taking of a vehicle and four counts of extortion, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Lai and Ramirez, both of Garden Grove, are being held in lieu of $40,000 bail. Torres-Diaz of Tustin is being held on $20,000 bail. If convicted, each faces up to five years in state prison.

Lai, Ramirez and Torres-Diaz are accused of towing between April and November more than 200 cars from a parking lot in Newport Beach when the property owner was not present.

A spokeswoman for the district attorney said more charges were expected. Victims are asked to call Dist. Atty. Investigator Frank Cardenas at (714) 347-8711.