Door-to-door sale pitches prompt warning from sheriff

Time for caution

The Cole County Sheriff's Department has seen a steady stream of reports in recent months of individuals attempting to sell products at residences throughout the county.

On Monday, the department had reports of an individual selling Skittles candles and asking to do carpet cleaning. One report was at 3:30 p.m. in Wardsville, and the other was at 3:45 p.m. in Taos.

The description of the person involved in both cases was a white male, but in one case the person was described as being in his 20s and the other had the man in his 30s. The man was driving a black van or SUV.

"In the summer, we see a lot of reports of people trying to sell magazines from door to door, and this time of year, we see the carpet-cleaning reports," Lt. Gary Hill said. "In both of these cases no incidents occurred, but we are wanting to try to locate this person, or persons, to check and see if what they are doing is legitimate."

Hill said if a person does come to your door attempting to sell a product, you can ask them to show you a county merchant's license and some sort of identification that shows they do work for the company they are selling the products for.

"That would give us something to go on if a person did have a complaint," he said. "If they come to your house, you can pretty much ask them for anything."

Deputies are continuing to investigate the Monday incidents, and anyone with information that could help authorities should call the Sheriff's Department at 573-634-9160.