This isn’t the first time this particular valet company has faced accusations of negligence after one of its drivers damaged a hotel customer’s vehicle
May 2, 2024 at 14:00
- A valet from an Atlanta hotel allegedly stole a Dodge Challenger from a customer.
- The muscle car was taken for a joy ride that ended with a crash and thousands of dollars in damages.
- The same company has been accused for other cases of stolen vehicles, including a Rolls-Royce.
When staying at a hotel, the last thing you want to hear is that your car was damaged by the same people entrusted with its care. Yet, this is what reportedly occurred to a Dodge Challenger owner in Atlanta, who alleges that a valet stole and crashed his muscle car after performing donuts on public roads.
Back in 2022, Corwin Tuggles found himself in a hotel room after relocating from New York to downtown Atlanta. He had entrusted hisDodge Challenger to the hotel staff. However, his sleep was abruptly interrupted by multiple calls from the management, urging him to come to the front desk in the middle of the night.
More: Hotel Valet Steals $120K Audi RS7, Takes It To Car Meet Where Thieves Steal It From Him
As reported by WSB-TV Atlanta, Tuggles was informed that one of the hotel employees had stolen his car. The “fairly new” Challenger was discovered 40 miles (64 km) away after being involved in a crash. The owner alleges that items were missing from the interior and the engine wouldn’t start. He later discovered that the valet had performed donuts with the stolen Dodge along Lithonia Industrial Boulevard before the crash.
The Challenger had sustained engine damage, requiring thousands of dollars in repairs. The owner remarked, “This could have ruined me, having to spend so much money at once. I don’t think this is a trustworthy company.” As expected, Tuggles took the Laz Parking firm to court, seeking reimbursement. The company agreed to pay $20,000 in damages, but their dissatisfied customer received a bad check.
An Atlanta driver sent Channel 2 Action News pictures showing the damage to his car after he said it was stolen from a valet. https://t.co/4DqJvd4XPA
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) April 29, 2024
After being contacted by the reporter, Laz Parking responded that security in their Atlanta locations has been enhanced due to “the recent uptick in area car thefts”. They also claim that their customer was “made whole in 2023”. However, Tuggles claims he hasn’t been able to access any of the settlement money following the incident with the bad check.
More: Rolls-Royce Cullinan Stolen In Atlanta Found Modified In Texas Rolling On Elbow Wire Wheels
According to WSB-TV Atlanta, this is not the first case of a vehicle being stolen from the company’s premises. In fall 2023, another client reported that their Rolls Royce was gone, blaming both the hotel and Laz Parking for negligence.