Resident complaints lead to arrest of two men in Incline Village

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - Two men were arrested after residents of Incline Village reported concerns of suspicious and aggressive salesmen going door-to-door in their neighborhood on Saturday evening.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Carano Court and Oneil Way around 7:00 p.m. on July 13.

Upon arrival, they made contact with two subjects, later identified as Prince Ojionuka, age 30, and Torris Heckard, age 52. By that time, deputies were also contacted by several other residents who had similar complaints against the two men.

Ojionuka and Heckard were both evasive when deputies asked for personal and business information. Neither could show a business license or Washoe County Sheriff’s Office work permit. Both were arrested for operating as a traveling merchant without a business license and transported to the Washoe County Detention Facility.

These arrests serve as a reminder to residents to be wary when solicitors come to their door.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office anticipates that residents will see an increase of door-to-door solicitors during the summer months. While many are legitimate, some are not.

Door-to-door solicitors must have a business license and a work permit from the Sheriff’s Office to operate in Washoe County. Anyone with concerns about possible criminal or suspicious activity should contact a local law enforcement agency.

Here are some other guidelines that may help protect you and your family from illegal solicitors:

If you don’t know the person, don’t open the door. Never feel obligated to greet an unfamiliar person knocking at your door

Always keep doors and windows locked. Storm doors or security doors are helpful when dealing with solicitors because you can see and speak safely through the door

Never allow an unfamiliar person into your house

Solicitors must have a business license and permit. Contact your local law enforcement agency if a solicitor is aggressively attempting to get into your home or refusing to show their license/permit

Don’t expect all perpetrators of door-to-door sales scams to look the part. Some are clean and well dressed and use special psychological techniques to try to get into your home or get your money

Always use extreme caution before providing any personal or financial information
If you are not interested, close the door and lock it. You don’t owe the person an explanation

Residents can put a “no solicitors” sign on their door to help keep solicitors away