DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Several Daytona Beach residents found their cars missing from their parking places at their apartment complex. It wasn't the work of a thief, but the work of a tow truck driver.

As many as 16 people had their cars towed from Seabreeze Point apartments. Neighbors said a "tow away" sign just went up, but the cars were "authorized vehicles" and the explanation for the mix-up had some people fighting mad.

The growing crowd of people at the Seabreeze Point apartments got so loud and so big, someone called police.

"And police said Daytona wrecker came and got our vehicles because the complex called and said they shouldn't be backed in," said resident Angela Ballard.

But Ballard and 15 others said no one told them cars had to be parked front-first and it's not mentioned in the lease. Apartment managers wouldn't talk to Eyewitness News, but residents said they were told it's a new rule.

Neighbors said the apartment complex has its fair share of crime and it wanted police to be able to check car tags more easily.

Still, the residents were first told they'd need $110 to get their cars back, but after Eyewitness News got involved, management put up a sign on the door apologizing for the mix-up and people like Ballard picked up their vehicles free of charge.

"Somebody paid. I didn't. I guess, because you guys came out, thank you very much," she said.