Nine people were arrested by Atmore police Monday, after attempting to sell magazines door-to-door without a valid business license.

According to a press release from the Atmore Police Department, the APD received a complaint at 12:45 p.m. Monday of a Hispanic male going door-to-door along Fifth Avenue and acting suspicious.

Sgt. Arthur Odom responded to the complaint and interviewed the suspect, who told Odom that there were other people in the area selling magazines door-to-door. Odom, along with other officers from the APD, were able to locate and charge them for soliciting without a business license.

A total of nine people were arrested and charged — eight males and one female.

Atmore police interviewed the illegal sellers and learned that individuals are recruited from all over the country to travel to certain areas to sell magazines for commission. These individuals are usually dropped off in neighborhoods to walk door to door, in hopes of making a sale. Officers said that these individuals understand that it is unlawful to solicit in these areas, and understand that they might be arrested.

Atmore police wish to remind the public that it is unlawful to solicit without a business license within the city limits of Atmore. They ask citizens to call the APD at (251) 368-9141, if they are ever approached by anyone attempting to solicit business without a license.