GRESHAM, Ore. -- A tow truck driver tried to tow a Gresham police car from an apartment complex early Thursday morning, according to the Gresham Police Department. Police said officers responded to the Kempton Downs apartments on a domestic disturbance call. When Officer Tyson Conroy returned to his patrol car, he noticed a tow truck driver had hooked up another officer's marked car to the truck, according to police.Officer Tom Pohlman said he was surprised to see his car hooked up to the truck. "I asked him, 'what are you doing?" Pohlman said. "And he said I was parked in a fire lane."
Steven Syverson, 32, was ordered to release the car. He eventually did, but police said he otherwise refused to cooperate with them. Syverson locked himself in the tow truck and then called his dispatchers, asking them to call police, according to officers. Police said the towing company's manager eventually showed up and talked Syverson into surrendering to officers.
Gary Coe, the owner of the towing company, said Syverson was having personal problems. But he said he was a good employee. "He obviously lacked common sense," Coe said. "It's not something you train (them for), (you) don't tow police cars." Syverson was arrested on charges of unlawful use of a vehicle, obstructing governmental administration, interfering with an officer and criminal mischief.