Salesman or Burglar ?

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Averageman

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Yesterday I'm leaving the house to go to the local gunshop and pick up some magazines for an older pistol. I have the pistol and the magazine loaded in my hand as I exit the house.
A "Salesman" representing a pest control company see's me and walks quickly up the street, accross my lawn and begins a sales pitch about scorpions and getting my house and lawn treated.
I explain to him that I do not need his services and as I do I begin to size him up and something isnt right.
Although he had a "Uniform" it was stained, dirty and disheveled.
He had a very oversized belt and seemed to be underweight.
He had visible sores on his arms.
Everything about him, to me said "Meth Head".
I waited until he left my property then got in my truck and went wbout my business. That Angel on my shoulder told me to cruise around the block and as I turned the corner toward my house, there his is at my front door. Not only is he knocking but his head is moving as to look through the stained glass.
I pulled in the driveway and asked him again to leave, went inside and called the nonemergency police number and waited.
After 20 minutes with no call back or visible cruiser I took my motorcycle and left the truck and proceeded to the (now closed) local gunstore.
I think a lot of people might miss these "clues", now if we could get the local LEO's to respond we might stop a potential burglar.
 
It must have been a pretty gutsy or just plain stupid burglar to approach you like that while you had the pistol in your hand...
 
Good job following you insticts.

That is one scenario where my inside dog and outside dogs might get some treats.
 
Good Work!

You were right on target when you called the non-emergency number for the local police, IMHO. That is the approach recommended here in Virginia during neighborhood watch training. It is fairly common practice for burglars to check out the premises in broad daylight to determine whether there is someone at home. It is disturbing to note that your police department did not respond to your call. (And I was already disturbed enough before!:)
 
Being LEO, I agree that you are correct in your assumptions in my opinion. It bothers me that the police response was lacking, at the very least, they should have taken down this guys information and got him identified. It is a "common practice" so to speak for these crooks to act as if they have a legitimate business and then burglarize a residence when they don't get a response at the door, especially during the hours that most people are at their place of employment. I believe that you did the right thing and I am glad that you were not victimized.
 
It's possible that he was legit and hoping to get your wife to sign on after you refused, but I suspect your instincts were correct.

About the only legitimate folks who solicit completely on foot are Jehovah Witnesses; Did he have a marked truck parked down the street?
 
First, your gut was right on. Most folks ignor the warning signs our bodies and minds give us because "it will never happen to me".

Second, did you get the name of the individual who took your call? Even if you didn't, the call should have been logged at the least and most likely recorded. Contact the head of the department. Insist on speaking to the chief or sheriff or whatever him or herself. If they give you the run around, give them a number and tell them someone will be ther 24/7 to answer the call.

Again, get a name. Push the issue until you get a satisfactory answer from the head of the department. They won't like being pushed, and they usually will do something.

As a last resort, contact your local elected representative and let them know. Again, the head of the department will not like politicians ask questions, and the politicians usually do ask, as they want to be reelected.

In short if the system fails bring it to the proper person's attention. Oh, and a letter to the editor of your local paper never hurts, especially if you include the names of those you spoke to.
 
The guys who run extermination businesses in my area drive clearly marked vehicles, dress at least in clean, neat clothes (some have uniforms, some don't), and they don't go stumping for business door-to-door.

None that I have seen look like meth heads, though there are plenty of them in our town.

All too easy to pick up a uniform-type shirt at the Salvation Army, put on a tool belt, and suddenly, he's in business. Or something.
 
I am retired LEO fom a major northern dept.

I moved to VA 15 yrs ago. My local dept takes these kind of calls very seriously.
 
Last year, a man claiming to represent an alarm service approached my house. Like your "pest-control" subject, he was somewhat disheveled in appearance, wearing shorts and carrying a clipboard and a single yard sign. Alarm service D2D sales are common here, but everyone I've seen involved in them has worn long pants and a polo shirt with a name tag, and none has carried a yard sign (why would any of them carry a single yard sign?) Of course, I turned this guy away without even opening my storm door.

A couple of days later, I read an article on the local news site that three individuals had been cited for soliciting without the required city permit. The names, faces, and records of the three were included. I recognized the face of the one that had come to my home. According to the article, he had quite a prior arrest record, which included charges of burglary and theft.
 
Shame on the non resposive PD. Call and raise cain with the Chief if that doesn't work call the Mayor or City Manager and get on the docket for the next City Council meeting.
Good job on trusting your gut.
 
I had a guy knock on my door several years ago, I was still in bed (11am) as I was working nights, a guy selling Lawn Service was there and seemed surprised I had answered the door, the guy had that meth head look and I called 911 and reported suspicious person and officer was there in 10 minutes and found the guy down the block. A records check found the guy had a record and they traced him to a number of breakins around the area. It might quicken up the response if you were to call the emergency number next time.
 
To Clarify;
No vehicle in sight, thats part of the reason for my trip around the block; looking for a vehicle.
Gun was in my hand, but it was in a zippered case that looks more like a planner than a pistol case.
I live in a Mayberry like town and yes, I got Jenny's name. I think there may be less than 6 laides answering phones at the PD.
I am disturbed by the lack of responce by the local PD, but I will keep an eye out in the future.
 
I don't think he was particularly brazen for talking to someone who has a gun in hand - he was planning on doing the actual crime when nobody was home.

This doesn't apply in this case, but I didn't feel it was special enough to warrant a new thread. When someone comes to my door, I'm yelling a greeting before I get near the door, to see if it is something I am expecting or not. I sympathize with door-to-door salesmen but I don't trust any of them. Pretty girls selling things door-to-door scare me more than disheveled men.
 
Yeah that sucks. A similar thing happened to me, except it was a woman who claimed to be with the home owner's association giving away free carpet cleanings. I think it's safe to conclude from my assumptions that she was staking out my house for burglary.

Here's what happened:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=654311
 
It can be amazing how brazen some crooks are. It shouldn't be a surprise I suppose, but people generally tend to think of crooks (if they consider them at all) as skulking about trying to be invisible. Doesn't always work that way...
 
It must have been a pretty gutsy or just plain stupid burglar to approach you like that while you had the pistol in your hand...
Click to expand...

As an Assistant Public Defender, I have some experience with criminal mindsets. With many clients, the risk/reward meter is totally broken (especially when addiction comes into the picture). With many people willing to burglarize houses, the risk of being shot is not taken into account or is ignored.

Also, I would agree that you were right to suspect that this guy was in the process of preparing to burglarize your house.
 
Imho your gut instinct was very correct.
Also remember that a pest control,HVAC,Electrical.Plumbing business is regulated by the TDLR in Texas and their state license number must be displayed on the vehicle.
That dead give way had me realize an electrical contractor I called out for a neighbor a couple of years ago showed up and the vehicle had no master electrician number and I realized he was a non licensed jake leg electrical contractor.
He also had no current license.
 
Our HOA is always on the prod about something, mail boxes needing painting, weeds, fence gates not closed......... but carpet cleaning? I'd call the HOA and ask about that charade before letting anyone in my house, no matter the color of her hair! I'll decide when my carpets need cleaning, I don't need some ditsy blond to tell me ! I'll call them, and my HOA won't be coming in the house either.
 
788Ham said:
Our HOA is always on the prod about something, mail boxes needing painting, weeds, fence gates not closed......... but carpet cleaning? I'd call the HOA and ask about that charade before letting anyone in my house, no matter the color of her hair! I'll decide when my carpets need cleaning, I don't need some ditsy blond to tell me ! I'll call them, and my HOA won't be coming in the house either.
Click to expand...

The funny thing is, the carpet is whiter than a paper plate in a snow storm. I guess the word "free" was supposed to be the hook n reel.
 
They just rounded up a bunch of out of state 'solicitor's' around here on various charges. In the county I live, door to door solicitor's must have a picture ID from the sheriff's department to legally go door to door.
Last summer we had a bunch of young girls wearing short shorts and showing lots of cleavage selling magazine subscriptions that were casing out houses for later burglary and a couple were hooking door to door.
My property is posted No Trespassing, No soliciting and Beware of Dog and unless the dog is outside I have still had a couple brave it and come up into the yard and bang on the door
 
These a-holes never make it past my dog. Our sheriff dept takes these threats very seriously too, as we have had several home invasions in the area...one FAILED attempt across the street.
 
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