It might not be as easy as you'd think to get your vehicle towed in downtown Fargo.
JoAnn Gilbertson has been pleading for days with police to remove the abandoned Toyota Camry parked outside the Century 21 realty office on Roberts Street.
The brand-new, white Camry has been parked in the same 90-minute parking zone for well over a week and Gilbertson said she's starting to get concerned.
For one thing, a small black duffle bag rests in the back seat. For another thing, the car is parked between the federal post office and the federal court house, she said.
The doors to the vehicle are locked, but the keys are still inside, along with several discarded coffee cups, old newspapers, cassette tapes, and a half-full bottle of water.
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"I mean, isn't that a little suspicious. The car has been parked outside for days and nothing has been done about it," Gilbertson said. "I'm worried there could be a bomb in there."
Gilbertson has contacted the Police Department and the local FBI in her search for answers. The response: "We'll look into it."
The Fargo Police Department has issued three parking tickets for the vehicle in addition to one towing warning. The Camry is scheduled to be towed Thursday, according to Sgt. Val Boatright.
"We're treating this just like any other abandoned vehicle. So far we have no reason to believe there's anything suspicious going on," Boatright said Tuesday.
Police usually give people three days from the time a tow ticket is issued so they have ample opportunity to move the vehicle, she said.
Boatright said the vehicle was not stolen.
Rather, the Camry was purchased May 18 in full at the Cedric Theel dealership in Bismarck by a Riverdale, N.D. man.
According to the authorities, the man who owns the abandoned vehicle had not been taking his medication and since has been taken into custody.
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It is not known why the man was in Fargo or why he parked his new car in this location. No details were available on his status.
If the vehicle is not picked up by Thursday, it will be towed. In the event that it still is not claimed, it will become the property of the city.
Abandoned vehicle reports come in daily, Boatright said. On Tuesday alone, there were eight calls regarding abandoned vehicles.
Whether or not there's anything dangerous inside, Gilbertson said she would like someone to take care of the vehicle as soon as possible.
"In light of Sept. 11, I'd just think they'd want to look into this more," she said. "Your mind just starts to wander."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mary Jo Almquist at (701) 241-5531
