State Police Cancels Pat's Service Center as Towing Service Provider

The Massachusetts State Police has stopped using Pat’s Service Center for towing services on state highways, citing the recent indictments of several employees for assault, kidnapping and civil rights violations.

State Police said Pat’s Service Center was removed from the station towing lists for the Worcester area Feb. 17, one day after several employees, including the owner’s two sons, were arraigned in Worcester Superior Court for alleged beatings.

“The evidence developed in the recent investigation of assaults committed by employees of Pat’s Service Center made clear to us that the company was in violation of our tow service agreement,” said state police spokesman David Procopio.

“The actions of Pat’s employees as supported by the evidence are contrary to the values and ideals of the Massachusetts State Police.”

The move by state police comes after AAA Southern New England ended a 24-year relationship with Pat’s, citing the same reasons: alleged beatings by employees of Pat’s.

Patsy Santa Maria Sr., owner of Pat’s Service Station, said he has lodged an appeal with the state police.

He said the state police had used his company for calls on Interstate 290. State Police said Pat’s provided towing services for decades.

Mr. Santa Maria said the employees charged in connection with alleged beatings in 2009 and 2011 no longer work for him. But he said they are not guilty of the charges.

“My people are 100 percent innocent. They didn’t do anything wrong. But I had to let them go because that’s what’s expected of me. It’s not very fun but that’s the system, unfortunately.”