West Seattle Crime Watch: Wire theft, metal thieves, & Burglary #3

Three alerts to share in this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup tonight. First, Lee reports that his neighborhood e-mail group has word of grounding-wire theft on utility poles in an alley near 39th/Stevens (map). This isn’t just costly to utilities, but also a serious risk to worker safety, so they were expected to get fast repairs, but neighbors say they were told West Seattle has seen a lot of this lately. Second, metal thieves in action again in Seaview; from 44th/Raymond (map), Alison reports the neighborhood e-mail group has shared word of a “dirty, dark blue, older-model Toyota sedan” traveling an alley with someone walking alongside throwing items including bicycles and scrap metal into the trunk. The neighbor who spotted them called 911 and gave chase, but finally called it off at a dispatcher’s advice when high speed and wet streets made it unsafe – not before providing police with the plate and description, though. They’re suggesting area residents check their backyard to see if anything’s missing. Finally, from Greta in Gatewood:

I live on Sw. Rose St. between 35th & 37th [map]. We had a flyer left on our front porch today alerting us to a 3rd burglary on our block. I haven’t talked to our neighbors yet, so I’m not sure the details. Thought I’d share this with others in the neigborhood.

Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow has explained at various public forums that these flyers are left if repeat burglaries happen in neighborhoods without a Block Watch – if you want to set one up, check out the info here, and be sure to join up with the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network.

16 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Wire theft, metal thieves, & Burglary #3"

  • Inspector Clueless May 27, 2010 (7:02 am)

    License plate number on that Toyota? Was it missing a back window and possibly the trunk lid as well?

  • samson May 27, 2010 (7:17 am)

    we need West Seattle Gate Community! why US?! go bother other towns!!!

  • Jennie May 27, 2010 (9:23 am)

    I saw a van with the window smashed in on 26th between Genessee and Dakota this morning as I was biking into work. Must’ve happened last night because the glass was still on the ground right next to the van. :(

  • ts May 27, 2010 (12:24 pm)

    A man was arrested and the toyota without a back window was towed away about 10:00 this A.M by the chelan cafe

    • WSB May 27, 2010 (12:48 pm)

      Thanks – I had an inquiry about Chelan Cafe’ police activity that I was about to check out – that is probably it … TR

  • World Citizen May 27, 2010 (1:51 pm)

    Speaking of Grounding wire theft from Utility poles, I’m pretty sure one was taken from the pole in our alley bordered by 40th and 41st and Findlay and Brandon. Anyone know who to contact about this?

  • Inspector Clueless May 27, 2010 (2:09 pm)

    ts – Thanks for that info, it helps me connect some dots.

    • WSB May 27, 2010 (2:13 pm)

      FWIW I checked with Lt. James and he says no metal-thief arrest involved in Chelan Cafe police response that he knows of – had to do with hit-and-run crashes. But keep the info coming!
      .
      (EDITED TO ADD FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE) – We later got updated information. The driver was stopped on traffic violations but WAS a suspect in the metal thefts, and the vehicle was “full of evidence.” Will include the newest info in the next Crime Watch roundup. – TR

  • natinstl May 27, 2010 (3:45 pm)

    Inspector Clueless-our neighbor did mention that the trunk was “modified” so it sounds like the same car you’re describing.

  • Vanessa May 27, 2010 (5:17 pm)

    Call City Light for the wire thefts…they cut our ground wires, IF they made of copper. City Light was out for repairs in a week….They DO need to know. We were hit a couple weeks ago, Findlay & Juneau, between 36th & 37th. I’m sure there are 100’s of lines cut and stolen…

  • BC May 28, 2010 (8:22 am)

    My friend’s house down on Othello just below California had the copper drainpipe ripped off the side of the house about a week ago. Coincidentally, last night we encountered an emaciated looking caucasian man with a backpack of tools (including a knife) layed out on the sidewalk just below his house. We couldn’t tell if he had a bolt cutter or very large garden shears. He packed up and left immediately. We were suspicious, but didn’t call the police, as we didn’t witness a crime.

  • Concerned West Sider May 28, 2010 (10:55 am)

    I know this is off track, but if anyone sees a dark grey Chevy Malibu with WA plates 455-SRM,I’d like to know where you see it. White male and black male broke into my car last night. This occured at 61st and Stevens around 12:30am. I confronted the pair, and they tried to run me over in the Stevens Crest parking garage. They made off with a portion of my drum kit, sound gear, and other personal items. Any info helps. SPD is on the case, but hasn’t reported any successes back to me. Again, any info helps! Thanks.

    • WSB May 28, 2010 (11:00 am)

      Hi, I heard the scanner call about that and tweeted it. Please e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com and we can put it in the next Crime Watch roundup, much better than burying it in a days-old comment thread that few will revisit … thanks

  • M. May 28, 2010 (8:07 pm)

    Just checked today, sure enough ground wires cut from the poles in the alley on the 3600 block of 51st ave sw…Please CALL 911 if you see someone suspicious! An “emaciated man with tools laid out(including a KNIFE)…” warrants a call.

  • Dexter May 29, 2010 (9:07 am)

    Another car break-in Friday morning around 12:30 a.m. Thieves broke into a car parked in an apartment building garage at 60th SW and Stevens while he ran up to his apartment. He returned minutes later to see the thieves putting his drum set in their car. When he confronted them they jumped in the car with his drums and took off, nearly running over our friend as he tried to stop them. The thieves fled in a grey Malibu. If you have any information on this crime or see this car please advise SPD.

    • WSB May 29, 2010 (9:15 am)

      That one will be in the next Crime Watch roundup – we heard it and tweeted about it from scanner traffic the other morning and I believe we have an e-mail report on it now – TR

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