SHELBY, N.C. -- Sticker shock! That's what some truck drivers are getting after their big rigs are towed from parking lots in Shelby.

The cost is at least $1,000 because tractor-trailers towed from certain spots in Shelby end up 45 minutes away in Charlotte.

Exclusive video we obtained shows a semi getting towed Wednesday night in Shelby. It is something drivers have been complaining about for months.

Signs near the Waffle House and Family Dollar along Highway 74 say no overnight parking.

"They're so small. You look at them up there. I wear glasses and that right there is not very readable," said truck driver John Person.

Towed trucks end up at Complete Wrecker in Charlotte. Complete Wrecker says ordinances give them "discretion" to charge what they want for tows over 9,000 pounds.

They confirm that "discretion" is at least $1,000. Police say they've heard it's as much as $1,800.

Person considers a typical tow price to be "$700 at the most."

"They're just trying to take advantage of us truckers," he said.

The video taken Wednesday night also shows a police officer chastising the towing company's lookout man. He booted a woman's pickup for going about a foot into another parking spot.

Police say Complete Wrecker should use a different type of discretion and consider whether the parking situation is accidental or on purpose.

"I don't think you should be towing the vehicle and fining them a large fine," said Capt. Mark Brooks with the Shelby Police Department.

The lookout man eventually took the boot off for free.

Complete Wrecker says property owners contracted them to prevent trucks from tearing up pavement, eliminate garbage and prostitution in rigs parked overnight.

But police say that claim hasn't been substantiated.

Police say 45 trucks have been towed to Charlotte in the last year and a half. That's at least $45,000 of people's pockets.