Three arrested for soliciting near student housing
Three people were arrested on charges of soliciting in city limits without a license, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Haden said in an e-mail.
The suspects allegedly went door-to-door in the North Cedar Lake Drive area and on Nikki Way to sell magazine subscriptions, Haden said. Both of these areas house a high student population.
Haden said a witness told police one of the subjects said the magazine sales were for charity. This claim is not true, Haden said. One of the suspects allegedly said they were with KLMN Reader Services. A company by that name can be found on the Internet, but there have been a number of complaints filed against it.
“In any case, it is not legal to solicit in city limits without a permit,” Haden said in the e-mail.
Carl Smith, 31, Johnny Boatwright, 23, and Natoshia Blaine, 29, were arrested shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday after someone called the police. The suspects are not residents of Missouri.
If you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police at 442-6131. If you know anything about scams or frauds being perpetrated in Columbia, you can also contact Crime Stoppers at 875-tips or submit a tip on-line at 875tips.com.
Tips can also be texted: Text 875TIPS {space} (plus your message) to phone # 59925. You'll get a confirmation message with your ID number so that you can remain anonymous and collect your reward.