SAN DIEGO -- Investigators from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair have swept down on Allpro Paint & Body shops in San Diego County, seizing licenses and shutting the doors, 10News reported.

The action caps a one-year investigation of the auto repair chain, after customers complained about shoddy workmanship and fraud.

Investigator Gene Kendall said he and his team from BAR received a final state order to shut down the chain last week, and made sure the seven Allpro shops were complying.

As investigators arrived at the San Marcos shop, they crossed paths with a customer who had just received a repair estimate.

Kendall said Allpro Paint & Body shops are not supposed to be dealing with any consumers now.

"They are shut down," he told the 10News Troubleshooter crew. "The shop owners have a right to appeal, but so far their license requests are denied."

When BAR began its investigation one year ago, the Allpro Paint & Body shops were owned by one man, Robert Olivieri.

Customer complaints against Olivieri dating back to 1999 were included in a state accusation citing 141 violations of codes that regulate the auto repair industry in California. Rather than fight the charges, Olivieri waived his right to a state hearing and agreed to give up his auto repair license.

Olivieri then sold his Allpro shops, some to his former store managers and other known associates.

Kendall said the new owners still have ties to Olivieri, and that's why they are being shut down.

"They either have ties to Olivieri, have not completed licensing requirements, or have not applied for state licenses to operate," said Kendall.

Arline Brooks was one of the many consumers who complained to the state about Allpro Paint & Body . She said they charged her more than $1,000 for a fender repair that was not done right.

"Businesses like this should be closed down," Brooks said.

She finally got her wish.

"It's nice to know we have a recourse," Brooks said. "It puts power back into our hands, so we're not just a victim."