Magazine Solicitor Charged With Taking Diamond Bracelet from Bathroom
La Mesa police arrested San Diego woman, 23, who also was wanted on a burglary warrant.
A 23-year-old woman was arrested Sunday night while part of a group soliciting magazine subscriptions after a resident noticed a $900 diamond bracelet missing from her bathroom, authorities said.
Courtney Deeanne Townsend of San Diego was arrested at 8:17 p.m. at 9395 Hilmer Drive, according to police records. The same woman also faces a charge of loitering with intent to commit prostitution—an earlier case.
She had matched the description given by the victim, who let a solicitor into her house on Amaya Drive to use the bathroom, said police Lt. Dan Willis.
“The suspect was subsequently arrested for the warrant and during a search, the diamond bracelet was located hidden in [her] pants,” Willis said Monday morning. “The suspect was booked into County Jail for residential burglary, the burglary arrest warrant, and for falsely identifying herself to police.”
The suspect and another solicitor contacted the female victim by knocking on the victim’s door in the 5600 block of Amaya Drive, Willis said.
After the bracelet was reported missing after 8 p.m., La Mesa police were called, he said. While searching the surrounding area, they found a group of solicitors.
“One of them matched the description of the suspect and while she was being detained, it was discovered that she had a felony arrest warrant for burglary,” Willis said.
Townsend is being held on $60,000 bail, with an arraignment on the La Mesa charges scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at El Cajon Superior Court, according to jail records.
Willis noted that it is unlawful to solicit in the city without a La Mesa solicitation permit. The exceptions, per the Municipal Code, are disabled veterans and children under 17 years. All others, including charities, must be permitted, he said.
“If contacted by a solicitor, ask to see their city of La Mesa solicitor’s permit,” he said. “If they do not have one, politely end your conversation and report the illegal solicitation to the La Mesa Police Department at 667-1400.”
He added: If you see solicitors in your neighborhood, contact the Police Department so officers can determine whether the solicitors are properly permitted.
“It is not unusual for criminals to act as solicitors in order to attempt to find out if anyone is home, or to gain access into your home,” he said.
Ian Shiff
12:44 pm on Monday, November 21, 2011
a few days ago - at 8pm - a man came to the door selling something. My wife answered the door and left the security door closed. I was listening to the conversation from the other room and this guy would not take NO for an answer and was getting testy - then he had the gaul to ask my wife to open the door so he could get some water for some reason or another - that's when I showed up at the door asking why he needed to get inside my house and he went off quickly. I have two little kids - and these people are crazy to think they will get inside my house. I am fine with girl scouts selling cookies, some of the neighborhood kids soliciting for their schools magazine, candy drives, etc - but too many others come to our house during the day and putting up a "no soliciting" sign apparently isn't enough. I hope this woman gets the maxiumum punishment - it's people like her who give anyone who knocks on your door a bad name.
Kim Dumas
4:41 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011
Same here. We've had 2 people coming to solicit us in the past 3 days. It is a scam. I called the police the other night. We were very cold to him and my husband marched him out of our yard. We called all our neighbors close by to warn them. A girl walked by today trying to do the same thing. They are out and about! I found this article online regarding this scam. http://listofscams.blogspot.com/2009/07/door-to-door-magazine-sales-is.html