Police Say Door-to-Door Solicitor Is Not A Burglary Suspect
Police said a man has been asking residents for donations at their homes and that he has been told to stop.
Newark police said a man who has been knocking on residents’ doors looking for money earlier this week has been told to stop and is not a suspect of burglaries.
Cmdr. Bob Douglas of the Newark Police Department said Thursday morning that the entire police department has been notified that a 35-year-old man has been looking for funds by knocking on the doors of people’s homes.
Upon investigation, officers do not believe that the man is a suspect of any burglaries at this time, Douglas said.
The man has been told not to solicit donations anymore, and police learned the man and his father, who attends a Hayward college, have been staying at a local hotel, Douglas said.
Douglas said residents should contact Newark police immediately regarding any suspicious activity.
Any person who has information about a crime is asked to contact the Newark Police Department's non-emergency line at 510-578-4237 or can call the Silent Witness Hotline at 510-578-4000, extension 500. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
To start a Neighborhood Watch group, contact Tim Jones, special assistant with the department's Community Engagement Division at 510-578-4209 or
tim.jones@newark.org
For immediate updates on police and fire incidents, follow Newark Patch on twitter.com/NewarkPatch and facebook.com/NewarkPatch and the Newark Police Department at nixle.com.
Sean Foster
10:46 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Are people just a little to sensitive ? At least he asking for donations. Maybe people should show compassion and be empathetic for his situation. Just a thought.
riottgirl
12:48 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
@ Sean: I don't like beggars in San Francisco. I sure don't like beggars knocking on my door.
Sean Foster
9:52 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Good for you.
Jack
8:08 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Sean, knocking on doors is the number one way that burglars check to see if anyone is home.
Sean Foster
10:03 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Jack, thank you, I agree with you. Reading the article you only see one side of the story. I'm always cautious, and feel confident I can get read on people that come to my door. I think sometimes people can be a little to sensitive to some situations. Using diligence is common sense.
Mona Taplin
9:04 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Considering how often that wannabe burglers check occupancy first by knocking on doors it's just common sense to be cautious. The police would not have told this man to stop soliciting donations if he had a legitimate reason for doing so.
Mona Taplin
9:04 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Considering how often that wannabe burglers check occupancy first by knocking on doors it's just common sense to be cautious. The police would not have told this man to stop soliciting donations if he had a legitimate reason for doing so.