Moving Company Owned By Police Officer Accused Of Holding Furniture

DeLAND, Fla.

Customers who claim they were cheated by a local moving company were stunned to find out the owner wears a badge.

By day Detective Ignatius Jones takes aim at crime for the DeLand Police Department but found consumers who want Detective Jones investigated.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Jones.

Jones co-owns T and J Moving and Storage in DeLand. It's a company Scott Chapman claims took him for a ride.

"It felt like ransom," said Chapman.

Chapman says an online moving broker gave him a $3,000 estimate to move from Tulsa to Ocala. T and J Moving got the job and Chapman claimed the bill was more than twice the estimate.

"$8,300," said Chapman.

Scott feared that if he didn’t pay, the drivers would drive off with all his stuff.

"I didn't think I would get them back unless I paid the money," said Chapman.

A former employee of T and G Moving says it was no accident. He says the company held customers' belongings hostage all the time.

"He's done it to every customer I had this week," said Kenny Dozier.

Dozier claims he quit T and J Moving after just 10 days because he was ordered to run up the bills.

"He charged them double what's on the contract and it's a written contract," said Dozier.

Florida's moving law prohibits a company from demanding cash only and it can't hold belongings hostage for payment.

"I don't know what's going on," said Jones, one of the company’s co-owners.

T and J Moving's other co-owner, Tev-el Benoon, said Dozier and several employees stole from the company. He said final bills only increased when customers added furniture or services.

Benoon himself, faces arraignment next month for a worthless check charge.

His customer, Scott Chapman, filed a complaint with the state.

"Where are the regulations? Where are these people," asked Chapman.

It was discovered Jones and Benoon had owned All American Van Lines, that shut down after a history of complaints.

DeLand Police said this is a personal matter for Detective Jones.

A number of mover complaints filed with the Division of Consumer Services has doubled in just a year.

When moving, insist on a binding written estimate, and whenever possible pay with a credit card, so you can dispute any questionable charges.