Crime & Safety

Sheriff Warns Residents of Suspicious Activity in Westminster Neighborhood

Although a crime was not committed, police are using an incident of suspicious activity in a Westminster neighborhood as a reminder to citizens to be cautious.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office is warning residents to be cautious of suspicious activity following an incident in a Westminster neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. 

In the early afternoon on Tuesday, May 28, a deputy from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address on Wine Road in Westminster for a report of suspicious activity, according to a police report.

The homeowner told police that a white female, described as college age, with long brown hair, knocked at the door, allegedly selling books. The homeowner was eventually able to discontinue the conversation and return to the residence, at which time she observed a white male standing outside the rear door, police said. Both suspects then fled the area.

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While it does not appear that any crime was committed in this particular case, police said the use of one person to distract the homeowner while the other checks the exterior of the residence can be the precursor to criminal activity.

Police urge residents to remember that while many companies use door to door solicitation as a sales tactic, not all are legitimate.

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The number of solicitors in the county tend to increase during the summer months, according to police.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office offers the following safety tips:

  • If you choose to allow the solicitor to present a sales pitch, consider requesting identification for both the salesman and the company they represent before they begin. 
  • Be cautious if the solicitor requests to enter the home for any reason. 
  • If you become uncomfortable with the solicitor at any time, discontinue the conversation and request that they leave. 
  • If any combination of these actions make you suspicious of the solicitors intentions, please contact your appropriate law enforcement agency for assistance.


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