Damariscotta police warned residents Wednesday to watch out for a woman who goes to people’s homes saying she is looking for her missing dog.

Sgt. Jason Warlick described it as a “lost dog scam” designed to steal drugs. The woman asks a homeowner if they have seen her lost dog, and then tells them she is pregnant and asks to use the bathroom.

The woman, who visited four homes in Damariscotta, spends several minutes in the bathroom before leaving a fictitious name and phone number for the homeowner to call if they see her lost dog, Warlick said.

There is no lost dog, he said.

“This type of activity is indicative of a drug user,” Warlick said. “She does the scam to get a look inside your medicine cabinet.”

Warlick said he began investigating after homeowners the woman had visited shared notes, got suspicious and contacted police. None of them reported missing prescription drugs after the woman came into their homes.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office charged a woman who used the same approach to get into at least one home in Nobleboro on Wednesday, Warlick said.

Sheriff Todd Brackett said Deputy Chad Gilbert questioned Amanda Wallace, 33, of Jefferson after her vehicle was stopped by police Wednesday afternoon. Brackett told WCSH-TV that a young child was in the car with Wallace.

Gilbert charged Wallace in connection with the theft of prescription drugs from a home on Center Street in Nobleboro. She was issued a summons on one count of theft and released, pending her initial court appearance, Brackett said.

“Our investigation is still ongoing,” Brackett said. “If there is anyone out there who has had a similar encounter, we’d like to hear from them.”

Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com

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