Buffalo man accused of using tow truck to steal cars

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man has been accused of using a tow truck to steal cars on two separate occasions earlier this year, the Buffalo police department said Thursday.

David Novak, 46, is accused of using the tow truck to steal the vehicles. It is alleged that the first one was from the 300 block of Gibson Street on Oct. 30 and the second was from the 300 block of Millicent Avenue on Nov. 20. Police said he later used the vehicles for personal use.

It is unclear how Novak had access to the tow truck.

Detectives investigating the cases linked them together and identified Novak as a suspect. He was arrested on Dec. 11 and is charged with the following:

• third-degree criminal possession of stolen property (2 counts)
• third-degree grand larceny (2 counts)
• unauthorized use of a vehicle (2 counts)
• seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
• controlled substance in non-original container
• multiple traffic violations

Detectives are continuing to investigate if Novak was involved in any other stolen vehicle cases.