Magazine salesman charged in theft

By: Daily Progress Staff Reports | Daily Progress
Published: August 27, 2009

An out-of-town magazine salesman was arrested on robbery charges Tuesday, according to Charlottesville police.

Jack Gardenhire, 23, was arrested and charged with robbery after police found him with a stolen laptop blocks from the scene of the crime, city police Lt. Gary Pleasants said.

Police claim Gardenhire pushed his way past a student and into a Stadium Road

“He was one of nine people who have come in and gotten a city license to sell magazines for a company that, as far as we can tell, is legitimate,” Pleasants said. “He knocked on the door and asked this person about magazines, and when the person said no, forced his way into the residence.”

Police found Gardenhire sitting in a car in a nearby parking lot soon after, Pleasants said.

The backpack and laptop were with Gardenhire, Pleasants said.

“We’ve had some pushy salesmen before, but nothing like this,” Pleasants said.

Robbers sometimes claim falsely to be salesmen, Pleasants said. This case is unique because the alleged robber was also a genuine salesman, he said.

Police suggest that when greeted with a salesman at the door, residents should:

- use a one-way peephole;

- ask for identification;

- ask for a city-issued license, but exercise reasonable caution even if there is a license; and

- contact police if the seller refuses to produce identification.