Were I the D.C. cop, the car would have been impounded immediately, and when the owner came down as the tow truck was hooking up his car, I would have placed him under arrest for receiving stolen property (a felony).
He would then have to cough up the cash for bail, and the towing/storage fees on his vehicle. Then if the D.A. did not file on him, he would still be out $600-700 for bail and car fees.
Plus he would have a felony arrest record, even with no conviction he would have to admit to having been arrested for a felony on job applications.
Treat the trash like the trash they are.
Why don't you join us? These are great ideas. Sad we need to remind the police of ALL the laws being broken by Code Pink.