Mover Arrested Following Customers’ Complaints

An Encino mover was arrested Wednesday following complaints that he allegedly damaged or lost customers’ belongings and threatened a customer.

Ronald Warren Wilson, 37, was charged with 12 counts of violating state laws regulating household movers, said Mike Qualls, spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney’s office.

Wilson operated the Champion Mover company in Encino, Qualls said.

The state Public Utilities Commission investigated Wilson after four customers complained, Qualls said. In April 1998 and last January, Wilson allegedly did not reimburse the customers for property damaged or lost during moves; did not move their goods at the agreed times; and employed inexperienced movers, he said.

Qualls said a North Hollywood man claimed that after he complained, Wilson left a threatening message on his answering machine.

Among the charges filed against Wilson, Qualls said, were operating without a PUC permit, failing to have proof of workers’ compensation insurance, not providing customers with a consumers’ rights booklet and making an annoying and threatening phone call.