It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle equipped with a crane, hoist, winch or towing device who has answered a call to or is attending the scene of any collision or accident of one or more vehicles on any highway or street in the city to remove, or attempt to remove, any vehicle involved in such collision or accident, or in any way to interfere with or change the position of any such vehicle, except upon authority or direction and in the presence of a police officer of the city, unless such change is made or attempted for the purpose of releasing a person or persons imprisoned within or under such vehicle; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful for such operator of any such vehicle equipped with a crane, hoist, winch, or towing device to remove any vehicle from the scene of the accident or collision without the consent of the owner of the vehicle so removed, unless directed by a police officer to remove such vehicle as a public safety measure or for the protection of private property.
(1984 Code, sec. 20-18; 1997 Code, sec. 70.27)