Possible Burglary Scam

Since the criminals are knocking on doors to ensure nobody is home before they break in they will engage you in a conversation if you answer the door.  They're doing this so they don't look suspicious and so you don't call the police.  We're unsure if these two individuals are working together but please call us immediately if one of these individuals knocks on your door:

Scam #1: Female seeking a Pastor

We believe a female is working with a group of
males and is pretending to be in need of help.  The only description we have is a white female who appears to be in her mid to late 2o's.  What she is doing is knocking on doors to determine if someone is home or not so they can break in, but if someone answers she's using an excuse similar to this:

"I'm new to the area and don't have any money.  I'm trying to find the pastor of the ___________ (name of a local church) to see if I can get some help.  Do you know how I can find the pastor?"
 
We believe what she is actually doing is engaging you in conversation so she doesn't look suspicious and  so you won't call the police.  If you answer the door and give her information
on how to find a pastor she will thank you and move on searching for a house that is empty to target.  If you don't answer the door she and her partners will break into your home assuming you aren't there.  Call the police division immediately if this female knocks on your door.  Do not invite her inside your home but suggest to the female that you will call the police, on her behalf, in an effort to get her some help.  If she is truly in need we'll be able to help her, if she's scamming you she probably won't stick around for us to arrive.     

Scam #2: Male looking for a lost dog

We've had numerous calls of a man knocking on doors claiming he's looking for a lost dog.  The only description we have is a white male, possibly in his late 20s to early 30s.  Same as the female's method of operation mentioned above, he's simply saying he's looking for his dog because he doesn't want to raise your suspicion level.  He's really knocking on your door to see whether or not you're home so he can break into your house.  If this happens to you call the police division immediately.

All the information we've obtained on these two individuals has come from calls from members of the community.  We thank you all for the assistance but ask that you call us immediately if this happens to you.  Many of the calls we've received have been well after the individual has left the area.  The sooner you can call the more likely we are to find them.