Bears fans’ cars towed after using SpotHero to reserve parking

CHICAGO (WGN) – It was insult to injury for some Chicago Bears fans Monday night.

After watching their team blow a large lead to the Minnesota Vikings, they discovered their cars had been towed.

Fans Matty Yunker and Mark Wolfkiel both used SpotHero to reserve parking at a lot located in the 2300 block of South Michigan Avenue.

Wolfkiel’s reservation was at a nearby garage that was full, so the owner directed him to another lot he said he owned as well.

After the game, those who parked in the lot came back to find the lot empty.

“I just went into straight panic because my car is gone,” Yunker said.

“The Uber driver was like, ‘No, you got towed. I can tell. This happens and I know where it is.’ He knew exactly where it was towed to because apparently this has happened before,” Wolfkiel recalled.

Nearly four dozen people were affected. They called 911 and were directed to go to E&R Towing’s impound lot at 36th Street and South Iron Street.

“The explanation that was given was that the owner of the lot called them and told them to come tow us all. They didn’t care that we were actively showing them our SpotHero reservations. They just said, ‘Too bad. We got you. We got your car.’ That was their explanation,” Yunker said.

WGN-TV reached out to E&R Towing and they said the owner of the lot claims he never contracted parking on his property with SpotHero.

SpotHero told WGN-TV, ““While it appears these tows resulted from an on-site error at the facility, we know this is not the ideal experience for SpotHero customers, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience it caused. SpotHero has temporarily disabled the facility pending the outcome of our investigation to ensure the best service for our customers.”

SpotHero also offered to reimburse those affected for the $240 towing fee and the cost of the initial reservation.

“There needs to be a proper way to do this where this doesn’t happen to other people again,” Yunker said.

Yunker, who lives near Ottawa, dd not get home until 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. She and many of the other customers inconvenienced said they’re hesitant about using SpotHero in the future.

“Pretty doubtful. It depends on how they handle the situation obviously,” Wolfkiel said. “A lot of people had their night ruined because of this.”

With about 45 people paying $240 each to get their cars out of that impound lot, that towing company took in more than $10,000 Monday night.

While some customers have been reimbursed by SpotHero, others are still waiting.