Police to Lutherville Community: Beware Suspicious Man Offering Landscaping Services

From Baltimore County Police Department Capt. Martin Lurz, Precinct 7:

"ALL PRECINCT 7 RESIDENTS...ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE FALLS ROAD/WEST SEMINARY AVENUE/WEST PADONIA ROAD AND SPARKS/ MONKTON/ HEREFORD/ PARKTON AREAS OF PRECINCT 7:

This past Thursday, I sent out an e-mail notice asking the residents' help in regards to a red pick-up truck that had been seen in the area of recent residential burglaries in the Sparks community. We received many e-mail and phone tips from residents, all of which are being pursued.

Although it's unusual to get an email from me on a Sunday, we want this information to get out as quickly as possible. I am again asking for the area residents—especially in the communities above—to be alert for the following subject soliciting door to door in at least two areas during the afternoon of Friday, 3/4/2011. It is believed that the person described below came to two separate locations late Friday afternoon soliciting for doing yard or landscaping work. This person did not have a business card when asked and we believe he may be using this type of ruse to see if the house is occupied. He was described as:

• Black male,  late 20s to early 30s 
• Clean shaven 
• Short dark hair 
• 6'1" tall, 190 lbs.
• His coat may have been brown but it has some sort of colored patch on right shoulder and possibly colored front pocket flaps. 

He has been seen walking back to the car described below, driven by another person:

A black 4-door sedan, possibly a newer model Kia. No tag on the car given and it was clean, with nothing distinct on it. 

If any neighbors have been approached by the person above, please ask them to call the Precinct 7 Investigative Services number provided above (410-887-1823) or e-mail me directly. HOWEVER—AND THIS IS CRITICAL—RESIDENTS NEED TO CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF THIS PERSON COMES TO THEIR DOOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO SOLICIT BUSINESS. IF A TAG NUMBER ON A VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY OBTAINED, PLEASE TRY TO DO THAT AND PROVIDE IT TO THE 911 OPERATOR AND THE RESPONDING POLICE OFFICER!

Please pass this along to your neighbors."