In December, we had a person "earning points by selling magazines" show up at the Northeast Campus of Tarrant County College; he was a thin well-groomed African American male in his mid-twenties.   These folks melt easily into the college crowd and seem to be fairly well organized.   No assaults occurred, but a number of students gave the guy cash and have now realized they won't be getting magazines.

They only came forward after the Star-Telegram story.

I'm always leery of those type of salespersons.  If they will not provide you a business card or some sort of company literature with the company name and number to call them later of your interest, then i'm suspicious and you should be too.

I'll be sending out a crime alert pretty soon about door to door sales (specifically lawn services).  It will affect my sons own lawn service because a majority of his customers he rec'd thru door to door (he's only 16 and just trying to make extra cash) but, it's unfortunate that a few illegitimate businesses ran by crooks (thieves just casing or stealing from individuals) will hurt a few legitimate businesses or responsible teenagers just looking to make a few bucks.

HMMMMM, this sounds like the same kid that came to our house...very well groomed, early twenties, very thin and extremely dark skinned and not very tall.

This is exactly what happened in our neighborhood in December 2008.  I was not home, but some house guests opened the front door to greet the salesman...selling magazines.  One of the adults got suspicious and ran the young man off.  That was the first week of December.

We got another visit from the same gentleman on December 30th~ This time he was not selling magazines, he was at my front door with a crowbar trying to break in!!!  The attempted break in was very scary for my family and I now have a loaded hand gun at my house!  It was the perfect answer to the scenario of this question: "would I shoot a home invader?"  Now, the answer is YES, without a doubt!

This was the same person that came back and was identified as the kid selling magazines in our neighborhood prior to the attempted break-in from witnesses that saw this kid both times.  I did walk around the neighborhood to alert the neighbors.  Some of them had given this creep money for magazines and NEVER recieved magazines last year.  So, folks...these kids are up to NO GOOD!