Police looking for 'aggressive' solicitors walking into homes


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LEHI — A community in Lehi is on edge after aggressive solicitors made their way into some of the homes.

In one instance, an apparent solicitor opened an unlocked door and walked in. Luckily, homeowners were there at the time and asked her to leave.

A neighbor down the street had a similar situation after agreeing to buy the salesman’s cleaning product.

"I came into my home to get my check book and he just came right into my home which really made be nervous,” Amy Conklin said. "He immediately started commenting on my home and the things that were in it and then he asked for some medicine."

The man eventually left after receiving a check from Conklin. He continued onto other homes in the neighborhood including Julie Burr’s residence. She said she noticed he and three others came out of a white van and used odd tactics to sell their product.

“He was super aggressive just like ‘I have to take care of my 6-year-old daughter, this is the only thing I know how to do, you've got to help me out!’," Burr said.

She said the man ignored her "No Soliciting" sign and tried anything to get her to say yes.

“He talked really fast, almost like he was trying to confuse me,” Burr said.

Turns out the man is part of a sales group that does not have a license to solicit in Lehi, according to the Lehi Police Department.

The group has a legitimate product but as for the selling tactics, police say it could be a dangerous cover for a potential crime.

“I think the alarming thing, with the reports that we are getting in the last couple days, is that … these sale people are actually trying doors to see if they are unlocked,” Sgt. Chris Handlock said.

Handlock said it’s illegal for salesmen to ignore “No Soliciting” signs and as a homeowner you have the right to call police if they don’t leave.

“If it's clearly posted, and [they] make comments that they clearly saw it and knocked, or tried to make contact, it’s bad for business and just flat out rude,” Handlock said.

Police suggest you give them a call if someone comes to your door and refuses to leave after you have asked them.

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Ashley Moser

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