Locate My Towed Vehicle

It is the policy of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office to conduct motor vehicle tows, inventories and/or impounds by making a determination with respect to the impounding of motor vehicles operated by persons who are injured, ill, subject to arrest, or arrested, or presents a hazard.

  • When a vehicle should be towed because it presents a hazard, the owner or operator should arrange for the towing. Sheriff's Office members may assist by communicating requests through the Dispatch Center to expedite the process.
  • If the owner or operator is unable to arrange for towing and the vehicle presents a hazard, the vehicle may be towed at the direction of the Sheriff's office member (I.C. § 9-21-16-3; I.C. § 9-21-16-4).
  • A deputy who discovers a vehicle in the possession of an individual who cannot establish the right to possession of the vehicle shall take and store the vehicle in a suitable place (I.C. § 9-22-1-5).

The sheriff’s office utilizes a wrecker rotation to select the agency who impounds vehicle at the request of the sheriff’s office. Vehicles impounded by the sheriff’s office usually are taken to the storage lot of the towing company for safekeeping.  On occasion the vehicle can be towed to the sheriff’s office for further processing.

Once an officer chooses to tow a motor vehicle a wrecker service is notified by Vigo County Central Dispatch. 

Central dispatch maintains the tow records of the sheriff’s office therefore anyone who is attempting to locate a towed vehicle by the sheriff’s office should contact Vigo County Central Dispatch at 812-232-3802.

Please ensure you can provide a description of the towed vehicle including Color, Make, Model, along with the time, date and location the vehicle was towed from.

Within 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, of a vehicle being towed, it shall be the responsibility of the tow company to send a notice of tow to all registered owners and others having a recorded interest in the vehicle. Notice shall be sent to all such individuals by certified mail or by means of electronic service if approved by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The notice shall include (I.C. § 9-22-1-19):

  1. The name, address and telephone number of the Vigo County Sheriff's Office.
  2. The location where the vehicle is stored.
  3. A description of the vehicle, including the following:
    1. Color
    2. Manufacturer year
    3. Make and model
    4. License plate number and/or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
    5. Mileage
  4. The authority and purpose for the removal of the vehicle.
  5. An explanation of the procedure for release of the vehicle and for obtaining a vehicle tow hearing.
  6. Other information as may be required by I.C. § 9-22-1-19 in cases of abandoned vehicles or vehicles towed after a collision.

If a vehicle is in such a condition that the vehicle identification number or other means of identification are not available to determine the registered owner or others having a registered interest in the vehicle, the vehicle may be disposed of without notice (I.C. § 9-22-1-21).