The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is investigating several incidents of fraudulent solicitation that occurred in the Zephyr Cove, Cave Rock and Glenbrook areas of Lake Tahoe this past weekend.
In each of the incidents, young male and female adults conducted door-to-door sales of magazines, according to Sgt. Jim Halsey. The suspects were representing themselves as local area high school students, collecting funds for school events through sales of magazines.
The investigation has thus far resulted in the arrest of one of the subjects, Latoya Damon, 20.
Halsey said the perpetrators were not legally licensed to conduct such sales in Douglas County, nor were they students of either of our local high schools.
In a few of the incidents, residents allowed the subjects into their home while the subjects made their verbal sales pitch, he said.
In order for someone to conduct door-to-door sales in Douglas County, Halsey said, they are required to have a traveling merchant permit issued from the Sheriff's Office. "If someone shows up at your residence to conduct door-to-door sales, ask them for proof of the permit. Or, if you would like the Sheriff's Office to respond, please call us immediately (775) 782-9911."
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reminds residents that all door-to-door sales transactions should take place outside the home. Residents should never allow unknown persons, even valid peddlers, inside their residence.
Additionally, Sheriff Ron Pierini reminds all citizens being solicited for funds for any public or private entity to contact that entity first to determine if the solicitation is valid.
