PHILADELPHIA -
Stefania Perrucci had a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, is an author and financial whiz, but even she can't solve the intricate mystery that is parking in Philadelphia.
"I think you feel violated, right?" Perrucci told our Bruce Gordon whole explain her dilemma. "I didn't do anything wrong."
Stefania owns a 2002 Chrysler P/T Cruiser but rarely has need to drive it.
So, she left the car- parked legally with its residential sticker in place- on the 1500 block of Lombard St. back in late September.
When she next needed the car on the night of October 11th, she says it was nowhere to be found!
"What was amazing was not just that the car was missing, but that there was an empty spot right where my car was. So I thought, 'oh, my car's been stolen!'"
In fact, it had been towed to the Philadelphia Parking Authority impound lot in south Philly.
The cost to retrieve it: $205.
Oh yeah, there were also four tickets, for expired meters and improper stopping- totaling another $224.
"I was totally surprised," said Perrucci.
It turns out the city had Stefania's car moved by a private towing company to make way for re-paving on Lombard.
But no one notified Stefania.
After more than a week of tickets on South 16th street, the PPA towed her car.
Stefania had already begun to challenge the tickets and towing, but FOX 29s Gordon figured he could speed up the process with a call to the PPA.
Officials there quickly agreed- this was patently unfair. They've agreed to waive the $429 in tickets and towing fees.
"I did some of the work myself," says Perrucci, "but you guys were incredibly instrumental, so I'm really thankful- You made my day!"
Stefania Perrucci tells FOX 29's Bruce Gordan about her ticketing and towing nightmare.
