CHICAGO -- Two men working for towing companies contracted by the City of Chicago were charged after being videotaped stealing property from vehicles they were towing, police announced Monday.

Police Financial Crimes Lt. Hector Rodriguez said at a news conference at Police Headquarters that Charles H. Thompson (pictured, left) and Arthur Dobine were charged after police took video footage of the men stealing property, including compact discs, videocassette recordings, DVDs and a ratchet tool set.

Thompson was employed by Percy Towing and was charged with two counts of burglary to auto, after he was caught on video Oct. 7 at 130 N. Kostner Ave., said Rodriguez.

Dobine worked for Gem Towing Co. and was caught on surveillance tape removing items from a car at 2635 W. Polk St. on Oct. 19, said Rodriguez. Dobine was charged with one count of misdemeanor theft.

Gem Towing has been relieved from its contract with the city, said Streets and Sanitation Bureau of Traffic Services Deputy Commissioner Bill Bresnahan.

The crackdown, called "Tow Jam," was one of 11 surveillance operations set up by the city to see if tow truck drivers would take merchandise out of vehicles, said Lt. Rodriguez.

Police mounted video cameras inside and outside decoy cars set up on several streets around the city, according to Rodriguez. The tow drivers either jimmied the lock or used an opening device they were equipped with, said Rodriguez.

Authorities had a report of a cell phone theft on Gem Towing, and that led to the city's decision to drop the company from the program, said Bresnahan.

Bresnahan added that Percy's Towing would not be dropped but has been put on notice that any further thefts would cancel its contract with the city. He also said that previous thefts were not the reason police set up the operation.

"We are sending a message that the city will not tolerate these actions," Rodriguez said, "employees should do their jobs and do them according to the law."

Thompson, 50, of 604 N. Hamlin Ave., was charged on Thursday with two felony burglary counts because the video showed his face and entire body when he committed the thefts, and Dobine was charged with only a misdemeanor because only his hands were shown, according to Rodriguez.

Thompson had a minor conviction two months ago but it was not theft-related, said Rodriguez. Further information on Dobine was not immediately available.

The next court date for Thompson was not immediately available, according to police and Cook County State's Attorney's Office spokesman Tom Stanton.