For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1900061 |
| Date Issued: | Jul 16, 2019 - 8:57am |
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Sheriff's deputies arrest two men for soliciting without a license |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested two men Saturday evening in Incline Village after residents reported concerns about suspicious door-to-door salesmen. These arrests serve as a reminder to residents to be wary when solicitors come to their door.
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2019, deputies responded to the area of Carano Court and Oneil Way in response to a resident's concern about an overly aggressive salesman who had approached their residence.
Deputies arrived in the area and made contact with two subjects, later identified as Prince Ojionuka, age 30, and Torris Heckard, age 52.
At this time, deputies were also contacted by several other residents who had similar complaints against the two men.
Ojionuka and Heckard were both evasive when deputies asked for personal and business information. Neither could show a business license or Washoe County Sheriff's Office work permit. Both were arrested for operating as a traveling merchant without a business license and transported to the Washoe County Detention Facility.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office anticipates that residents will see an increase of door-to-door solicitors during the summer months. While many are legitimate, some are not.
Door-to-door solicitors must have a business license and a work permit from the Sheriff's Office to operate in Washoe County. Anyone with concerns about possible criminal or suspicious activity should contact a local law enforcement agency.
Here are some other guidelines that may 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
- 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
- Never allow an unfamiliar person into your house
- Solicitors must have a business license and permit. Contact your local law enforcement agency if a solicitor is aggressively attempting to get into your home or refusing to show their license/permit
- 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
- If you are not interested, close the door and lock it. You don't owe the person an explanation
- Residents can put a "no solicitors" sign on their door to help keep solicitors away
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.