I am not making excuses for anyone but if I had a storage place and the cops came after I tried to file a lien against a customer for non-payment I could see myself going off the rails and confronting the guy and asking wtf. It's easy to judge in hindsight but he was probably pissed at the guy for non-payment (I believe the amount was over $4,000). He certainly wasn't looking to do him any favors.
I believe that is a realistic scenario but once upon a time I believed in the Tooth Fairy too, so what do I know...