Entertainer Gary McCormick smashed his car with a hammer yesterday in the yard of a tow-truck firm which towed it away.
Claiming he was acting on behalf of motorists tired of the "bully-boy tactics" of towing companies, McCormick stormed the premises of Harbour City Tow & Salvage armed with a hammer,
sand, and glue, determined that his car would not be sold by the company in a bid to recoup costs.
The firm's manager declined to comment on the incident.
McCormick's car was towed from a vacant taxi stand after breaking down near Queen's Wharf on Sunday. McCormick was organising a garage tow truck to collect it.
As McCormick poured sand and glue into the engine and petrol tank, before taking to the "family heirloom" with a hammer and smashing the lights and all of the windows, the manager repeatedly asked him to leave.
"They won't be able to sell it, or parts from it, to get their money back," he said of the car that's been in the family for 13 years.
McCormick said the towing company had asked him to pay $140 to recover the vehicle and $10 per day for storage. "I would rather go to jail than pay a cent."
He had made the stand because New Zealanders were constantly being bullied by tow truck companies. "I've seen a man in tears because he couldn't afford the $140 fine.
"We need to stand up to these companies."
- NZPA
