BALTIMORE - Seventeen Baltimore police officers were charged Wednesday with taking kickbacks for diverting drivers at accident scenes to an unauthorized towing company and repair shop.

A criminal complaint charges the officers and the owners of Majestic Auto Repair Shop in Rosedale, Md., with conspiracy to commit extortion in the course of their official duties. Brothers Edwin Javier Mejia and Hernan Alexis Moreno Mejia paid officers to arrange for their company, which wasn't a city-authorized shop, to tow vehicles from accident scenes and make repairs, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers are supposed to allow automobile owners to arrange for a tow on their own, or if the owner declines, to use police communication channels to contact only an authorized towing company.

The officers charged in the scheme allegedly told owners that Majestic could help with the insurance claim and waive the deductible, advising them not to call an insurance company before talking with the repair shop's owner.

A claim would be submitted to the insurance company for repairs made by Majestic to the towed vehicle. Officers received $300 for each vehicle they steered to Majestic and one officer received more than $14,400 over two years, according to the complaint.

Fifteen officers were told to report to the police academy Wednesday morning for an equipment check, but instead they were met by FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard McFeely and Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, who collected their badges before they were arrested.

Two officers charged Wednesday were on leave and were not arrested but will be soon, according to department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. The 17 officers are suspended without pay, he said.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

No one answered at Majestic on Wednesday evening, and an outgoing message said the shop is closed until further notice for a business emergency.

- Associated Press