Permit-less solicitors can escalate their crimes

SAN LUIS OBISPO — A recurring plot where out-of-area men, often with criminal histories, flood neighborhoods in southern San Luis Obispo County and go door to door selling magazines or cleaning products without permits is popping up again, according to sheriff’s officials.

And, many times, the illegal operations go beyond illegal solicitation, sheriff’s officials said.

“From a law enforcement standpoint, unwanted door-to-door solicitation can be a simple county code violation, however we are concerned that many of these groups have individual members who may be using the solicitation as a cover for illegal purposes,” south county sheriff Commander Brian Hascall said.

Recently, five men were arrested for such illegal solicitation, including one man selling cleaning products who was seen looking into a car parked inside an open garage in Nipomo, sheriff’s officials said.

Daniel Jermaine Mitchem and Ramar Darius McGhee were arrested on March 23 in Nipomo on suspicion of soliciting door to door without a permit. Also, Stephen John Holloway, Daniel Keith Lines and Aaron Juergan Frazier were arrested in Arroyo Grande on March 11 on suspicion of selling products door to door without a permit.

A few years ago, in similar circumstances, a Nipomo woman was attacked in her home by a man who was soliciting magazines illegally.

“Many of these type of out-of-state operations involve people who do not obtain proper permits and may involve persons with prior criminal histories,” said sheriff’s spokesman Rob Bryn.

Sheriff’s officials caution county residents to know who they are allowing into their home and to call the department if illegal solicitors are in their neighborhood, providing appropriate descriptions and last direction of travel to assist deputies in locating the suspected offenders.

To report such activity, call (805) 549-7867.