Chris Gadd

cgadd@dicksonherald.com

A tow truck driver for a Dickson business offered to pay $40 of the $175 bill to release a woman’s vehicle, if she would strip down while he masturbated, according to a police report.

The truck driver, Edward Erb, Jr., 33, of White Bluff, stated in the report that it was the woman who suggested she could trade items or “get naked for him” while he masturbated. Erb said she picked him up and “that’s when she got me on the recording saying I would (masturbate) and waive the bill.”

Erb, who worked at BJs Towing, did admit “he was guilty” and told the officer “he was separated from his girlfriend and had not had sex in two weeks,” according to the report.

Erb was arrested and charged with extortion.

The victim audio recorded the incident, which allegedly took place Saturday in the Walnut Street Church of Christ parking lot.

The woman had reported her vehicle as stolen. The vehicle was recovered by the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office early Saturday morning, the report states. Dickson police said the woman's vehicle was involved in a high speed chase in Humphrey's County before later being found abandoned.

The woman first talked with Erb early Saturday morning and then returned later Saturday morning and talked with Erb again, the report states. The victim told police she didn’t have $175 but asked if the business accepted trades, according to the report. She offered a surround sound system, Blu Ray player, and a TV — but Erb countered by saying “he had kidney stones and can’t have sex,” so he offered to pay $40 off her bill if she would “strip down naked” while he masturbated, the report states.

The victim told officers that she left, then called back the same day and said she would meet Erb at the church parking lot. She climbed inside Erb’s truck and then recorded his offer, the report states. The victim flagged down the Dickson officer on Walnut Street, according to the report.

Erb was placed in the Dickson County Jail on $5,000 bond. His court date at the Dickson Municipal Court is Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m.

Dickson Detective Mike Phillips, who is handling the case, said police are searching for other possible victims of similar extortion methods. Phillip is asking for those who know about any such incidents to call him at 615-441-9563.