SAN DIEGO — Content warning: The video in this story includes images and language that may be disturbing to some viewers.
A Pacific Beach resident says an aggressive solicitor was going door to door and when she tried to get his info, she was met with violence – which she caught on camera. The woman posted the video to social media over the weekend saying she wanted to alert neighbors.
The incident happened in an area near Morrell and Emerald streets and the woman said she felt uncomfortable when the man came knocking at her door asking for money. She said he claimed to be a missionary from Cleveland, but she had a strange feeling, so she asked for identification but says he left instead.
The woman approached him with her camera rolling as he went to a neighbor’s door and in the video captured a man is seen cussing and swinging something toward the woman.
That woman - who asked not to be identified - posted the video to Facebook with a caption that read:
“Warning PB! This guy came to the door claiming to be working with a charity. When I went to check his ‘I.D.’ he left flipping me off calling me every name in the book. I ran across the street to warn the neighbors and he tried to swing at me. He then chased me back and now the cops are on their way. Please be aware everyone!”
After the woman posted it, a few others reached out saying that they had seen the same guy asking for money and said he also got upset when they refused to give him any.
She told News 8 off camera that the police showed up an hour later and left. But she was grateful for a retired officer who is a volunteer with a neighborhood watch group Guardian Angels, for showing up. She said he was patrolling the neighborhood because he also told her he recognized the same guy doing the same type of thing in Ocean Beach and now in PB.
According to San Diego police, the man was detained for questioning on Monday and released.