Multiple Reports of Suspicious People Ringing Doorbells

A string of reports came in to the Novato Police Dept. on Monday, February 13, that bear similar descriptions of two young men going door to door with similar stories.

5:59 p.m. – Two white men were reportedly going door-to-door trying to sell magazines.  One was about 6’ 1” wearing an orange sweat top, and the other was about 5’ 4”, thin and wearing a grey sweatshirt.  The reporting party said they were acting suspiciously and they were last seen headed towards Feliz Drive. 

6:12 p.m. – A suspicious solicitor selling magazines was reported going door-to-door in the vicinity of San Carlos Way and Manzano Court.  He was described as white, about 20 years old, and wearing a burgundy sweatshirt and jeans.

7:11 p.m. – Suspicious circumstances were reported in the 100 block of San Luis Way.  Two men came to the reporting party’s door and then started banking and yelling at her.  One was described as white and about 20 years old, dark hair, and wearing a red sweatshirt.  The other was described as white and perhaps as young as 14 years old.  The older of the two told the reporting party that she was “really hot.”

7:53 p.m. – A suspicious person was reported in the 1500 block of South Novato Boulevard.  A man rang the reporting party’s doorbell saying he was new to the neighborhood and was introducing himself to the neighbors.  However the reporting party became suspicious when the man could not say where he lived.  The reporting party described the man as white, about 20 to 30 years old, and he was last seen wearing a red jacket and a blue collared shirt.  An area check was conducted but the man could not be located.

The City of Novato has a non-soliciting ordinance, according to Sgt. Jim Tross. "We do not allow any soliciting door-to door without a permit," he said. "We get called on solicitors pretty much seven days a week."

Have you had suspicious people at the door this week? Leave a comment below.

Other reports from Feb. 13 

12:18 a.m. – A white man with shoulder length hair was reported stumbling around the parking lot of the 7-11 store on Diablo Avenue.  The man was booked into Marin County Jail for public drunkenness. 

7:14 a.m. – A woman reported that her boyfriend choked her and threw her on the ground last night at America’s Best Value Inn on Redwood Boulevard.  He did not allow her to use the phone to call for help and he has left the hotel.  She did not know when he would return.  An emergency protection order was issued and a case was opened on the boyfriend for domestic violence and false imprisonment. 

8:06 a.m. – Trespassing was reported at a PG&E substation in the 100 block of Hamilton Drive.  The reporting party found a cut fence.  There was likely an attempt to steal however there are no known lost items at this time. 

9:41 a.m. – A person who hit a reporting party’s vehicle in the vicinity of Chase Bank on Grant Avenue is now yelling at the reporting party.  There is a language barrier.  One was arrested and booked for resisting arrest. 

11:36 a.m. – A grand theft was reported at a building in the 6000 block of Redwood Boulevard.  All of the copper piping was stolen from the building.  Photos were taken.  The loss is about $20,000. 

11:49 a.m. – A fraud was reported in the 100 block of Escallonia Drive.  Unknown(s) used a victims Visa card number in Brazil for unauthorized transactions. 

12:38 p.m. – An attempted theft of a vehicle was reported at a repair shop in the 1200 block of Vallejo Avenue.  Unknown(s) punched out the ignition of a 1984 Toyota Corolla overnight.  The center column was also damaged in the attempt. 

3:58 p.m. – A burglary was reported on Larch Drive.  Unknown(s) entered the residence through a bedroom window by prying back a screen.  They left through a rear door and took a laptop, a gun and ammo.  The theft occurred sometime between 12:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.  The case is under investigation. 

3:59 p.m. – A vehicle that was noticed on Friday night in the vicinity of the Target store on Rowland Boulevard turned out to have been stolen out of Vallejo.  The vehicle was a black Honda Accord and it was left with a window open. The car was towed away and the victim was left a voicemail regarding the vehicles disposition. 

6:54 p.m. – A burglary was reported in the vicinity of Green Oak Drive and Marin Valley Drive.  Unknown(s) broke into the reporting party’s locked vehicle by breaking a window.  The loss is a new sweatshirt.

7:30 p.m. – Suspicious persons were reported in the 800 block of Bayside Court.  A woman came to the reporting party’s door and said that she needed to open the door.  The reporting party did not open the door or see the woman. Officer(s) contacted a solicitor who works for MTS Corporation.  She was advised to tell her company of permit regulations in Novato.  She said she would not solicit in the city and that she would advise her company. 

Feb. 14 

12:35 a.m. – Shoplifting was reported at the Safeway on Diablo Avenue.  The reporting party said a black kid wearing a black hoodie and a beanie ran out of the store with a bottle of Stolichnaya vodka.  He was last seen running onto Redwood Boulevard towards Rowland Boulevard. 

10:45 a.m. – Officer(s) assisted the Novato Fire District with a ruptured gas line on Partridge Drive.  Excavating damaged a ½ inch line.  The incident was handled by NFD and PG&E.  Residents were allowed back into their homes per NFD. 

1:23 p.m. – A reporting party found a wallet in front of Nero’s Firewood on Rush Creek Place.  The wallet was returned to the owner and the owner was booked into Marin County Jail for an outstanding warrant. 

3:16 p.m. – A burglary was reported at the Rite Aid store on Diablo Avenue.  A 14-year-old boy stole some eye solution valued at $8.99.  The boy is uncooperative with providing information and the store is requesting prosecution.  The boy was cited and released to an adult. 

8:15 p.m. – A man was reportedly rolling around on the ground in the vicinity of office buildings on Rowland Way.  The reporting party described him as white, about 65 years old, grey hair, and wearing a baseball cap and a tan jacket.  The reporting party said the man was slurring his words.  The man as arrested and booked for public drunkenness and a complaint was requested for a probation violation.  

9:23 p.m. – An aggravated assault was reported in the 2000 block of Laguna Vista Drive.  The reporting party said that she and her husband had been arguing and that he pushed her.  The man was arrested and booked for battery on a spouse.