Chatham Police Department - Crime Prevention Alert
Published on Friday, August 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Crime Prevention Alert
August 29, 2008
The Chatham Police Department is currently investigating several recent reports of suspicious activity concerning door-to-door solicitations. There have been numerous reports of individuals in their late teens and early twenties attempting to sell magazine subscriptions door-to-door in almost every area of Chatham. The individuals claim to be associated with “ Prestige Sales, LLC ” in Phoenix, Arizona. Information has been received that this group or a similar group is engaged in this type of activity in other areas of Cape Cod as well as across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In most cases, the individuals are part of a larger group that travel together and are dropped off in various neighborhoods where they go door-to-door. The groups have been known to be driven around in large vans with out of state registration plates. Most of the individuals involved are from other states. These individuals may make one or more of the following claims in an attempt to sell magazine subscriptions;
• They live or have a relative nearby
• Earning money for college tuition
• Involved in an internship
• Participating in a travel incentive program
• Selling magazine subscriptions for U.S. troops overseas
• Selling magazine subscriptions for children
On Thursday August 29, 2008, Chatham officers investigating complaints involving this group arrested two individuals who were the subject of outstanding arrest warrants. One of the arrestees was from Illinois and the other arrestee was from Arizona. Other members of the group were also identified at that time and although none had any active outstanding arrest warrants, several members of the group were discovered to have criminal involvements in several other states.
Residents are strongly cautioned that this group has been the subject of numerous complaints in Chatham as well as many other communities. They have not applied for the necessary permits to conduct this type of door-to-door solicitation in Chatham and there is no indication that they have been permitted in other communities. There are several consumer complaints currently under investigation by the Attorneys General in various states.
Anyone having contact with the members of this group is encouraged to notify police promptly by calling 508-945-1213.
Officer William G. Massey
Patrol Investigator
Chatham Police Department
