Larimer County officials have arrested two men in a door-to-door magazine-sales scam that authorities say primarily targeted the elderly.
Eloise Campanella, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, said detectives in jurisdictions across northern Colorado are investigating similar activity.
The alleged scam was unraveled Thursday by a Schwan’s delivery man, who became concerned after one of his customers told him she had written $300 in checks to two young men who said the money would be used to send magazines to hospital patients and troops overseas.
The delivery man, Paul Sisneros, called police and directed them to the suspects in the 300 block of Diamond Drive.
“My customers are a little like family,” Sisneros said in a statement. “I see them at least every other week. I want to take care of them.”
Deputies arrived in the neighborhood, interviewed witnesses and ultimately arrested the two men: 20-year-old Kenneth Davenport of Rocky Mount, Mo., and 19-year-old Brian Flynn, a transient. Both are being held on suspicion of fraud in effecting sales, a misdemeanor.
Deputies also located a van that witnesses said brought the men to the neighborhood. The driver denied knowledge of the suspects’ actions, but he was cited for having a suspended Arizona driver’s license.
Campanella said that in the scam, the suspects misrepresent themselves by saying that they are University of Northern Colorado students, that they live in the neighborhood or that they are grandchildren of people in the neighborhood. The suspects may say they are from “Integrity Programs” or “Team Extreme” and often claim that the magazines will go to hospital patients or overseas troops.
Campanella said the suspects always ask for payment by check.
After the arrests Thursday, deputies retrieved the $300 in checks Sisneros’ customer had written and gave them back to her.
Campanella said detectives in Estes Park and Berthoud also are investigating similar activity.
“Buying from door-to-door salesmen or through phone solicitation is always risky,” Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said in a statement. “The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens to deal with companies or individuals they know to be reputable.”
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
