Police Blotter: Magazine Peddler Blows His Top When There's No Sale

Everyone has likely had an experience with a pushy salesman, but this? It's is a fitting case for the 100th Police Blotter to appear on Rancho Santa Margarita Patch.

Two people contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday afternoon about a man who was going around neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita and Las Flores attempting to sell magazines. When residents refused to buy a subscription, the man became verbally abusive to them.

In Las Flores, a man noticed the peddler going to several residences on his street. When neighbors refused to buy magazine subscriptions, the man became irate and yelled obscenities and read them the riot act.

Another informant said the man was going door-to-door in a Rancho Santa Margarita neighborhood. The man, who was in his early 20s and wore a tie, began yelling at a neighbor when he didn’t purchase a magazine. Deputies arrived and detained the man before releasing him. Presumably, they told him he can catch more flies with honey.

The first call came in around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, from the 100 block of Bloomfield Lane. The second call came in around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, from San Mateo and San Benito.

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The following is a summary report of calls from Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Trabuco Canyon and Las Flores to the Orange County Sheriff's Department from February 21 to February 23.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 9:34 p.m. Thursday, 22700 block of El Prado. A caller said a group of youths were drinking around a community jacuzzi.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 8:15 p.m. Thursday, 30900 block of La Promesa. A woman said an elderly woman walked into the library but said she wasn't sure where she had walked from. The woman was waiting at the front desk when her relatives arrived.

Welfare Check 3:29 p.m. Thursday, 30600 block of Santa Margarita Parkway. A woman said someone had left two children in a car while she shopped at Target.

Prowler 11:01 p.m. Wednesday, 100 block of Via Serena. A woman said a man was looking into her windows.

Petty Theft Report 8:19 p.m. Wednesday, on Edelweiss. A boy said another boy had stolen his iPod Touch while at a friend’s house, and was now bragging about the theft on Facebook.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 6:26 p.m. Wednesday, on the 241 Toll Road and Antonio Parkway. A caller said an elderly man was riding a bicycle with heavy bags attached to it. The informant was concerned that the man would drive into traffic.

Suspicious Person in Vehicle 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, on Via Caseta. A woman said a man in a black sedan took photographs of her children as they entered the gate to their front house.

Traffic Stop 11:32 a.m. Wednesday, on Antonio Parkway and Santa Margarita Parkway. Deputies arrested a 46-year-old man, who was released from the Intake Release Center.

Disturbance 3:33 p.m. Tuesday, 22100 block of El Paseo. A woman from Ross Medical Associates said a disruptive patient refused to leave the building when asked.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 2:46 p.m. Tuesday, 300 block of Sable. A caller said a man in his 30s was buying beer for underaged youths.

You can read about more incidents on the Orange County Sheriff's Department blotter.