A tow truck operator who deliberately targeted gay people attending Gay Days events has been arrested in Florida.

Jason P Combs stands accused of 49 counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle and various other charges after being accused of towing more than 100 cars from a parking lot across from where the Gay Days – an annual event where LGBTs and their families, friends and supporters go to Disney World Florida on a single day each year – is held.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Combs had employed “spotters” to look out for people leaving their cars at the parking lot at Westwood Town Centre so they could be towed. The complaint also alleges that Combs does not possess a valid tow licence.

“With many of these people, their cars were towed within 5, 10, 15 minutes [of parking],” said police officer Rick Schmeltzer. “This was total predator towing. There’s really no other word for it.”

Lawyer for Combs, R. David de Armas, said his client has nothing against homosexuals and the fact that the towings occurred on Gay Days was “irrelevant”.

“The fact that the [criminal] complaint said something about Gay Days makes me wonder what’s behind it,” de Armas said. “If someone shoplifted during Gay Days would the complaint mention that it happened during Gay Days?”

According to the AP, the company, ASAP Towing, made at least $16,000 towing the cars.