THE VISITORS WERE LOOKING TO SCAM.

The Victim: D.M. Smith

The Crime: Burglary

Date: Friday, Oct. 25

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: 9500 block of Hermosa

D.M. Smith was a bit overwhelmed by the men trying to sell fruit to her. Three men had knocked on her door and were showing off various types of fruit and cutting pieces to sample. At one point, one man seemed to distract her while another seemed to disappear for a few minutes. He later said he had gone inside with Smith’s daughter to talk more to her about the fruit they were selling.

However, Smith says her daughter had not been inside and became nervous about the three fruit salesmen.

Later, after the men left, Smith decided the men had been trying to distract her to try and steal items from her home. In fact, she initially believed they had taken her iPad, but found it later. However, she still believes they were trying to take advantage of her.

“It is definitely a scam going around,” she says.

Dallas Police Sgt. Keitric Jones of the Northeast Patrol Division says it is important to be vigilant against these types of theft techniques and to never let anyone you don’t know in your house. If residents notice someone suspicious at their doors or in the neighborhood, it is important for them to get a description of the suspects and any vehicles and call the police. Contact with police may make the suspicious people move on from that neighborhood, preventing crime.

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and author of “Raising the Stakes”, obtainable at raisingthestakesbook.com. If you have been a recent crime victim, email crime@advocatemag.com.

2210 8:25 p.m. 0

The block of Glencoe where a young, white male attempted to rob a woman at her home. The time when the woman went to her front door and found a man standing in her doorway, dressed in black clothes and a ski mask, pointing a gun at her.

The value he stole when she refused to give him her purse or property.

SOURCE: Dallas Police Department