Batavia police are warning residents about a door-to-door scam following the arrest of two Minnesota residents last week.
Ryan Choinski, 22, and Clara Rothstein, 20, were cited by Batavia police for allegedly soliciting without a permit after they were found collecting money for what appears to be a phony organization, police said.
According to Batavia police, officers were called to the 700 block of Mandrake Drive around 6:04 p.m. on Sept. 20 by a resident who became suspicious.
Choinski was allegedly found soliciting money for military care packages on behalf of Vision Packaging, LLC., without a city-required permit, according to police. Police said he admitted to soliciting funds and was cited with an ordinance violation ticket.
Rothstein was cited for soliciting funds for the same organization around 4:42 p.m. Thursday in the 1100 block of Wind Energy Pass.
During an investigation into the military care package company, police said they learned that Vision Packaging, LLC, does not appear to be associated with any charitable organization.
Local Chicagoland police departments have reported receiving similar complaints about solicitors collecting money on the organization’s behalf.
According to Batavia Municipal Code, all solicitors must register and complete a background check with the city prior to being granted a permit to conduct door-to-door sales.
Those given permits must wear a badge on the front of their shirts which contains the city permit information.
Residents should call 911 to report suspicious activity, including people soliciting without permits, police said.