Police want to speak with man trying to sell reading program
By Erin Guerra Post-Tribune correspondent August 10, 2012 12:36PM
Updated: September 12, 2012 6:05AM
Union Township families were approached at home by someone wanting to enroll their children in a reading program, who despite the solicitor’s claims, is not associated with John Simatovich Elementary School.
Simatovich Principal Phyllis Allison contacted police Thursday afternoon after several parents reported the unknown man, who knew their names and that of their neighbors’, knocked on their doors this week.
According to one complainant, the subject was described as a college-age man between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with very short blond hair and carrying a yellow note pad and clipboard. He did not appear to be good at public speaking, seeming nervous, and also mispronounced “Simatovich.” He was driving a red, four-door passenger car with Colorado license plates.
The man reportedly said he wanted to meet all the parents about a new reading program, but he would not answer questions about the name of the program or what it cost.
Police later found the man had a valid merchant’s license.
