West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglar(s) hit Zebra, Freshy’s

| Crime | Triangle | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 11:58 AM REPORT: This morning, we got an e-mail tip from Mike Heavey about a broken window at Zebra Print and Copy (35th and Fauntleroy) – police were just arriving as we got there, so while we were able to get photos, we were waiting to hear from them regarding what happened. But in the meantime, we have just heard from the business – Idris Noor at Zebra says it’s the second time they’ve been victimized this month:

I just wanted to let you guys know that our store Zebra Print and Copy.com has been burglarized for the 2nd time this month. The first incident occurred on July 2, and the second one last night.

The first time they attempted to break in through the back door. They tried to pry the door open but were unsuccessful . They ended (up) smashing the front door and leaving.

Today’s break in was caused by a brick being thrown at the window and smashing it while also destroying our neon sign. They seemed to have walked around and looked for stuff but nothing seems to be missing except strangely our candy vending machines. Yes, candy vending machines!

A local ADT employee seems to be the first person to have noticed it this morning and called the police immediately. He also stated that there was another coffee shop in West Seattle that was broken into with their register taken.

We are really starting to worry about the safety of our store and also of our employees. I would like to ask everyone to stay vigilant at night and if anyone might have seen anything last night today or early in the morning going past our store to contact us or the police to let us know what they saw

We aren’t sure if the “coffee shop” case is actually the smash-grab at The Swinery that we reported last Friday; we’re checking with police on that too.

12:01 PM UPDATE: Right after publishing this, we got a reply to that, from Lt. Norm James, who confirms the coffee-shop mention – he says a window was broken at Freshy’s Coffee, triggering its alarm. (added) Layne confirms this in the comment section – saying the stolen register was recovered nearby.

Layne July 19, 2010 (12:23 pm)

That ADT rep seems to be all over the place immediately after these events… hmm…?

And I’ll confirm that it was indeed Freshy’s on California AVE that was broken into last night. Register was taken, but dumped on the sidewalk less than a block away. The handful of change that was still in it was left on the ground — and brought back to the shop by a kindly builder working on the new construction next door!

WSB July 19, 2010 (12:30 pm)

Thanks, Layne – I was just about to look up contact info to check with Freshy’s – TR

Manolita July 19, 2010 (1:26 pm)

I am sorry to hear this is happening in our neighborhood, I am one of many Zebra Print satisfied customers, I hate to hear they are going through this…

jsv July 19, 2010 (1:31 pm)

This sucks, the Zebra print guy is so nice. Great customer service.

enviromaven July 19, 2010 (2:00 pm)

So sorry to hear this. I’m with Manolita and jsv – the people at Zebra are terrific!

Catherine July 19, 2010 (5:58 pm)

Aw, not Freshy’s! I had the pleasure of meeting her at the HP Farmer’s Market and her product was delicious and she was very sweet.

I’m also sorry for Zebra. I hate to see the local guys suffer because of someone’s idiocy or desperation.

barry July 19, 2010 (6:18 pm)

crime is building in west seattle with the very low police presence, everyone from white center is moving this way

bridge to somewhere July 19, 2010 (9:11 pm)

That sucks about Zebra and Freshy’s–both good spots

Amanda July 19, 2010 (10:07 pm)

Oh right, the house prices in White Center are sky high and everyone here is profiting and buying up in Admiral. Woot!

LMA July 20, 2010 (9:52 am)

okay broken window, I bet that the register did not have much in it. What were they going to take a few bucks, to do what with ? please people get a job , getting arrested is not the answer for a few bucks or a very angry store owner, who knows what can happen to you or to the Store owner . PLEASE!