Repo man accused of beating owner of vehicle with metal pipe, charged with attempted murder

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - A tow truck driver has been arrested after he allegedly beat the owner of a vehicle he was repossessing with a heavy metal pipe.

According to the Memphis Police Department, the victim of the assault needed to be hospitalized with two neck fractures and a gash above his ear that required stitches.

Arrest documents said the assault occurred last Friday at an intersection in the Whitehaven area.

The repo man involved was identified as 29-year-old Taylor Douget. He was said to be actively repossessing a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe from a nearby neighborhood when he stopped at the intersection.

Police said the Tahoe’s owner told them that he caught up with the tow truck at the intersection, where an argument ensued.

Douget allegedly hurled racial slurs at the man before exiting his truck armed with a metal pipe.

The reported victim alleged that Douget knocked his phone out of his hand and punched him in the face. The man said his girlfriend began recording the fight, and that’s when Douget struck him in the head with the pipe he was carrying.

According to the affidavit, the pipe was the arm of a 2-ton jack.

The injured man reportedly lost consciousness after being hit in the head.

Investigations said Douget admitted to them that he armed himself with the pipe but denied using it against the man.

Douget was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder. He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Arrest documents said the 29-year-old was driving for Memphis Towing and Recovery at the time of the attack. His current employment status is unknown.