Police execute sting on illegal movers | Crime

BEAVERTON, Ore. – A KATU News On Your Side investigation caught illegal movers red-handed Sunday morning in Beaverton.

Police, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Transportation, conducted a sting operation to find movers operating illegally. ODOT officials said the sting is critical. Others also said they understand the need for enforcement.

Chuck Rambo, a mover who was ticketed Sunday, wasn’t one who understood it.

“Well I'm just trying to make an honest living,” he said. “I've been doing it for quite a few years and I guess I should have gotten my license and stuff but … .”

Rambo admits he’s been ticketed previously for not having a state mover’s license.

“Yeah, I've applied,” he said. “Just didn't go through, yeah … They don't want too many movers, you know.  The big companies' got a monopoly on it.”

That isn’t the case anymore. The mover’s license fee is $50 and the legislature’s opened up the moving industry. ODOT officials and local police do stings like the one Sunday two or three times per year. They look for unlicensed movers and unsafe moving trucks. Sometimes they find both.

One moving truck wasn't allowed to move anywhere at all. The driver didn't have the right kind of license to drive the rig -- a danger not only to the property he might be moving, but also to any other driver on the road.)

Sometimes the danger isn't damaged goods -- it's movers who can't get a license because of their record. They’re sometimes movers who unsuspecting customers let into their homes.

“We've had some who may have had a history of violence, theft, even sex offenders,” said ODOT spokesman Sally Ridenour.