CHICAGO — A Chicago tow truck driver is once again facing serious charges after allegedly impersonating city and insurance personnel to steal vehicles from unsuspecting crash victims across the city, prosecutors say.
Maximillian Gasienica, 27, has been charged with two new counts each of theft by deception, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and soliciting tow services at the scene of a crash. The new allegations stem from two incidents that occurred last winter, one in River North and the other near Grant Park.
Allegedly Pretended to Be With State Farm and the City
According to a Chicago Police Department report, Gasienica approached a 53-year-old man on December 30 at a crash site on the 700 block of South Columbus Drive. Claiming to be from State Farm Insurance, he persuaded the man to sign a tow waiver and took his 2015 Chevy Malibu, which was never returned despite repeated attempts by the owner.
In a separate case on November 20, Gasienica allegedly convinced a 24-year-old woman in the 200 block of West Superior Street that he was working for a company contracted by the City of Chicago. The woman signed a similar waiver, and her Mercedes SUV was towed away. Her insurance provider later had to pay $7,500 to retrieve the vehicle, according to CPD documents.
Repeat Offender with Prior Charges
These new charges come on top of similar ones Gasienica already faces from earlier this year. In those cases, he allegedly stole cars from crashes in areas including West Roosevelt, North Lake Shore Drive, and East Grand Avenue between February and April.
Gasienica is said to have falsely represented a company named “BTA Towing,” which police confirm is not authorized by either the City of Chicago or the state to conduct towing operations. Victims in those earlier cases also believed they were working with legitimate operators until their vehicles vanished.
CPD Warns Drivers to Be Cautious
The Chicago Police Department issued a public safety alert earlier this year warning residents about unauthorized tow operators—also known as “chasers”—who target drivers involved in accidents.
In the March alert, CPD described how scam tow operators arrive uninvited to crash scenes, pressure victims to sign towing waivers, and then take the vehicles to unknown locations. Gasienica was not charged in those specific incidents, but his alleged methods were strikingly similar.
Police are urging drivers to:
- Avoid giving into pressure from unsolicited tow truck operators.
- Verify a tow truck’s municipal license number before agreeing to any services.
- Contact your insurance provider first, rather than relying on tow operators who appear on the scene.
- Record your vehicle information, such as license plate and VIN, and store it in a safe place for recovery purposes if needed.
What’s Next for Gasienica?
Gasienica now faces multiple sets of felony charges as prosecutors continue to build their case. While a court date for the most recent charges has not been announced publicly, CPD and legal officials are investigating whether additional victims may have been defrauded using similar tactics.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by an unauthorized tow truck in Chicago? Share your experience in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your story could help prevent the next scam.
