Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

This press release includes audio
PR #: 1500108
Date Issued: Sep 25, 2015 - 10:11am

Homeowner's report of suspicious solicitors leads to arrests

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

Washoe County Sheriff's Deputies arrested two people on charges related to engaging in business without a license after a homeowner alerted the Sheriff's Office to suspicious activity in the Cold Springs area last Friday.

Jonathan Acosta, age 21, of Oregon was arrested along with a female companion on Friday, September 18, 2015 by Deputies responding to a resident's concern about a suspicious person going door to door asking for monetary donations to be used for "care packages" for soldiers overseas.

The suspicious solicitors fled the area before Deputies arrived. During the subsequent investigation, Deputies located both subjects and determined that both were practicing without a business license.

The Sheriff's Office reminds all area homeowners to consider their safety before opening their doors. Here are some guidelines on how to help protect you and your family from illegal solicitors:

  • If you don't know the person, don't open the door. Never feel obligated to greet an unfamiliar person knocking at your door.
  • Solicitors must have a business license and permit. Call your local law enforcement agency if a solicitor is aggressively attempting to get into your home or refusing to show their license/permit.
  • If you are not interested, simply close the door and lock it. You don't owe the person an explanation.
  • Always keep doors and windows locked. Storm doors or security doors are helpful when dealing with solicitors, because you can see and speak safely through the door. Use extreme caution before allowing an unfamiliar person into your home.
  • Don't expect all perpetrators of door-to-door sales scams to look the part. Some are clean and well-dressed and use special psychological techniques to try to get into your home or get your money.
  • Always use extreme caution before providing any personal or financial information.
  • Take a look around the front of your home to see what is visible from the street. If you can see your valuable items through the front windows, so can potential burglars.
  • Residents can put a "no solicitors" sign on their door to help keep solicitors away.

If you observe suspicious activity, notify your local law enforcement immediately.

If you think you may have been a victim of a solicitation scam, please contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at (775) 328-3002 or on line at WashoeSheriff.com


The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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