East Bay dump truck pours debris onto customer's yard after dispute over unpaid bill: video

SAN PABLO, Calif. (KGO) -- A payment dispute between a San Pablo homeowner and a local dumpster rental company ended with a load of debris being dumped back onto the customer's property, an incident caught on a neighbor's surveillance camera and now circulating widely online.

Martin Perez, owner of Express Rental Dumpster, said he felt he had "no other option" after a customer repeatedly promised to settle the bill but moved out of the home without paying a $700 balance.

"We don't want to do it, but I'm tired," Perez said.

Perez told ABC7 Eyewitness News that attempts to collect payment failed.

"We tried to collect the payment. The payment declined," he said.

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He added that hauling the debris away anyway would have cost him another $1,000 out of pocket to dispose of. The debris, he pointed out, included appliances.

Perez said what frustrated him most was what he found left behind: two $1 bills and a smiley face drawn on the receipt.

"He leave me an invoice, two dollars and happy face," Perez said. "You think that 'it's like that,' right?"

Perez said that's when he decided to return the debris to the property.

The neighbor whose security camera recorded the dumping told ABC7 he understands the dispute but said the trash has now become a neighborhood issue. As of April 15, it had been nine days since the incident.

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"This is not just between the driver and the neighbor. This started affecting all the community," the neighbor, who didn't want to be named, said. He pointed to a nearby creek and park where kids play.

San Pablo police confirmed they received reports of illegal dumping but determined no crime was committed. The case is now in the hands of city code enforcement, and the violation notice was addressed to a name listed as the property owner.

Perez said his team cleaned up around the home to ensure no debris was left in the street or on the sidewalk.

"I feel bad, because I don't want to cause any issues," he said. "But, sometimes, it's hard doing this kind of work."