Case Study: Trexler Road Solicitors
Recently, a crime watch alert was sent to area crime watches about an incident involving persistent carpet cleaning salesmen who were acting suspiciously on Trexler Rd. in Breinigsville. Upon reviewing the report, we felt it may be beneficial to our crime watches to go into greater detail about the circumstances in this case.
The 10000 block of Trexler Rd. is in a very rural part of the Upper Macungie Township. This incident occurred during the day, at around 10:00 am. Now, solicitation in our neighborhoods is not something unusual or necessarily suspicious, however, in this incident, there are two key elements that make it notable. First, the homeowner reported that there were two salesmen, and that the original salesman (who was persistent about getting into the home) came to her back door and spoke with her husband. Then, at the same time, a second male appeared at her front door and also was inquiring about cleaning the carpets. Secondly, when the homeowner asked for a business card the salesman did provide one, but then stated it was his only card and took it back. Both males then left in an older model black vehicle. No crime was committed and no arrests were made.
The first element, which involved the males going to opposite ends of the home, strongly suggests the possibility of a distractionary technique, which lures and keeps the homeowner busy on one end while an accomplice enters the home and removes items at the same time this is taking place. A similar case was shared this past year with crime watches when two suspects claiming to be surveyors used this technique to enter an elderly woman’s home and steal her possessions.
The second element, which involves the male not releasing a business card, may simply be a poorly prepared salesman, or, a clue that the salesmen and their company are not legitimate. As an educated resident and crime watch member, I would immediately know that something is not right at this time and disengage the salesman.
Please remember, there was no crime in this case, and it is possible that these two salesmen were simply inexperienced and poorly prepared for their sale. Not all solicitors are bad, and there are many legitimate business men and women who work as door-to-door salespeople and are honest and hard-working. However, based upon our police department’s investigation histories, there are certainly key factors in this incident that make it suspicious enough to further investigate and study.
Thanks and stay safe.
Address/Location
Upper Macungie Township Police Department
37 Grim Road
Breinigsville, PA 18031
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 484-661-5911
Peter Nickischer
Criminal Investigations/ Crime Prevention
[email protected]
610-683-8740
10000 Trexler Rd
Breinigsville, PA 18031