Vacuum salesman skips trial

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

Burton

HART — An “overly-aggressive” vacuum salesman who allegedly barged into local elderly people’s homes last spring failed to appear at his jury trial and is now at large, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joe Bizon.

Darnell Marquis Burton, 35, of 448 NE Sweet St., Grand Rapids failed to appear for his trial in 78th District Court, Sept. 30, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Burton and Brenda Spicuzza, 53, of 122 Celia St., Grand Rapids, were arrested last summer for criminal trespassing.  Spicuzza’s trial is slated to begin Nov. 25, said Oceana County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Kabot.

The salespeople described as “overly-aggressive” by authorities reportedly would refuse to leave residents’ homes and would stay for several hours until late at night, apparently attempting to tire out their victims so they would give in and purchase a vacuum cleaner.

Authorities investigated similar complaints of aggressive vacuum salespeople in the Mason County area last March.