Watch out for solicitor seeking donations for prep football uniforms

There’s a scam artist apparently roaming Manatee, going around soliciting donations for football uniforms and saying Saint Stephen’s Episcopal is the school in need.

In a crime alert sent out via e-mail by the sheriff’s office, the school said they do not solicit donations for football uniforms and that they had received several calls from all over the county about the solicitor.

Here’s the sheriff’s office’s description of the alleged solicitor:

· White male
· 15-16 years of age
· Blond, short hair
· 5 feet 8 inches to 5 foot 10 inches tall.

No vehicle has been observed with the subject. He has been said to have papers with the Saint Stephen’s football schedule and a list of people who had given him money along with their names, addresses and phone numbers.

The sheriff’s office advises residents:

“If a subject matching this description knocks on your door asking for donations; DO NOT open the door, ask through the door who it is, and then say, ‘I am not interested.’ If you can look out your window, try to get a clothing description and direction of travel as you pick up the phone and contact 911. With the multiple calls the school has received, this subject has probably already been successful in fraudulently obtaining funds from residents in Manatee County.”

If you have already given the solicitor a donation, call your local law enforcement agency:

· Manatee County Sheriff’s Office: (941) 747-3011
· Bradenton Police Department: (941) 932-9300
· Palmetto Police Department: (941) 721-2000
· Holmes Beach Police Dept.: (941) 708-5804
· Bradenton Beach Police Dept.: (941) 778-6311
· Longboat Key Police Dept.: (941) 316-1977