West Seattle door-to-door alert: Soliciting, or casing?

Elana thinks the man who rather aggressively solicited for yard work may have been casing for crime. Read on for the story she e-mailed us to share:

Time: 2:00 PM
Date: Sunday May 24
Location: 4000 block of 38th Ave SW between Genesee & Dakota
Sex: Male
Height: 6’3
Age: 50
Race: Caucasian, extremely tan
Hair: Long, shaved on sides, pulled back into ponytail to middle of back
Dress: Gray sweatpants, NO SHIRT
Car: Off White Late Model (late 80’s) FORD Truck F-250? With a matching camper top and an acrylic blue structure on top

Would not give his name, did not have a card. He was soliciting for yard work jobs, asked if my neighbor was home. Walked back and forth on my front porch into my yard space and all along the sides of my yard. I believe he was casing the houses for later robbery. His voice was rough and despite the fact that I had a baby high chair on my porch blocking my front door, he beat on the door with excessive force. I wish I could’ve seen his license plate number and I hope he doesn’t come back. I could hear him beating on my neighbor’s door, and when they didn’t answer he started to yell “HELLO HELLO” over their fence line. Should I call the police?

Our advice, unofficial but the result of having heard police give it repeatedly, is “yes.”

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7 Replies to "West Seattle door-to-door alert: Soliciting, or casing?"

Creeped out May 24, 2009 (9:24 pm)

Saw something similar on our street.

Loud sounding white 80’s PU with oversized blue topper.
Driven by white male with long mediumm brown hair in ponytail. No shirt. Wearing long white shorts.
Music from PU blaring the Talking Heads “Burning Down the House.” PU Stopped at neighbors house across the street.

Our dog was barking alot so I went inside to calm him and saw the man walking away from our neighbors house but, giving it a good overall before he got in PU and drove off.

This could be totally innocent but, for goodness sake wouldn’t one put on a shirt if you were solicting work???? And to do so on a Sunday???? On a Holiday Weekend???????

careful May 24, 2009 (10:54 pm)

Be very careful. Not to fear monger but unfortunately a lot of rapes happen in the morning or daytime when people’s guards are down. Never, never open your door to a stranger (which is sounds like you didn’t) but just a comment. And I agree – always call police that is what they are there for.

Iggy May 25, 2009 (7:50 am)

I think Tracy said at one point that the police are monitoring the WSB, so hopefully they will take note of this character and pass the word to the officers on patrol to be watchful. Scary.

WSB May 25, 2009 (10:21 am)

Local police do often read the site at various levels but I do want to say, please don’t EVER let that lull anyone into thinking, if they send a note to be published here, they don’t have to report it to the police. There are many reasons you want to file police reports, even after the fact – so they have an official record, so they can allocate staffing, and you never know, it may come to the attention of Detective X who happens to be working a case regarding someone who fits the MO … etc. Here, the primary value is alerting your neighbors and other West Seattleites – and sometimes a pattern does arise … thanks to everyone for the ongoing info-sharing! TR

marty May 25, 2009 (10:40 am)

Time to pass a law against door-to-door soliciting. When more bad than good comes from something, it’s time to end it. We no longer live in the days of the nice Fuller Brush Man!

sarelly May 26, 2009 (11:45 am)

We absolutely NEVER answer the door to people like this. No door-to-door sales, religious peddling, or soliciting of any kind – ZIPPO. If we don’t know you and expect you, the door will not be answered.