West Seattle Crime Watch: Warrant; theft thwarted; car found, but…

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight: First, a bit of info regarding a big law-enforcement operation spotted on SW Trenton west of 35th this morning. Federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration were serving a warrant – as part of an “active and ongoing investigation,” and that’s all we could get anyone to say about it. Thanks to the WSB’ers who asked about it later in the morning; any time you see news, call or text us at 206-293-6302 – we usually have a better chance of getting information if we hear about operations as they happen (many things aren’t on the scanner or online logs). Meantime, two more Crime Watch notes – an “awesome neighbor” thwarts a thief, and a not-so-awesome ending to a car-theft tale – read on:

This just in from Laura:

I thought getting this out there might help anyone on our street keep watch. We had an attempted theft of our motorcycle today on Beach Drive around 61st. The culprit came by twice; the first time he just scoped out the parking lot and the bike, I guess. The second time, he came back dressed differently (more covered up and entirely in black). Our awesome neighbor came out and flashed his camera at the guy, who ran off, but not before busting off the entire ignition. He said the guy was white, in his 30s, and drove a late model, 2-door green import. We’re really lucky that he didn’t get the bike, but we wanted to alert anyone else with a bike in the area. This guy knew what he was doing and wasn’t afraid to do it in broad daylight (as it was around 6 pm when this occurred).

Finally, in case you haven’t already seen this in the WSB Forums – Four months ago, that’s where longtime WSB’er JanS reported the theft of her car. This week, she got word it had been found – well, what’s LEFT of it had been found – and she could have had what’s LEFT of it back, if she paid the fees for it having been in impound since it was found a week ago. Instead, she decided to just let them keep it. Here’s the new Forums thread.

(By the way, Jan is facing a kidney transplant and a fundraiser for her is part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. Watch for more on that as we roll out WSCGSD highlights while sale day approaches.)

10 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Warrant; theft thwarted; car found, but..."

  • Eilene Hutchinson April 28, 2011 (10:40 pm)

    We are sorry, Jan, for hearing about your need for a kidney transplant, and on top of that your car.
    .
    I have always enjoyed your comments, you seem to have a calm and positive approach to whatever is the current topic of controversy.
    .
    Wishing you well with your health issues, and am glad to hear about this fundraiser.

  • JanS April 29, 2011 (12:23 am)

    thanks, Eilene. I’m looking forward to a positive outcome to this :) Sale will be in Arbor Heights, and word has it it’s gonna be huge, with lots of nice stuff…hope to see you :)

  • onceachef April 29, 2011 (10:33 am)

    Any more word on the warrant arrest? This is my neighborhood!

    • WSB April 29, 2011 (10:52 am)

      Warrant arrests are fairly routine and frequent, and unless somebody out there happens to have a name, I will not be getting additional info on this …

  • Dale April 29, 2011 (11:06 am)

    I read the Forums Thread on the theft and recovery (stripped) 96 Saturn. I applaud Dick’s Towing for waiving their charges for the Title. Quite frankly, it would cost more to sell the hulk at auction and attempt any type of recovery against the registered owner, JanS. If you have COMP coverage this would pay for all of these charges. I’m not certain the value of a 96 Saturn I would have bought that coverage though. Finally, any shop who holds customers goods (Bailee) will generally have a garagekeepers policy for these types of situations. Unless the shop buys this policy on a Direct basis the insurance carrier is obligated to pay on a legal liability basis only. For a few dollars more in premium the whole situation can be averted. Regardless of the facts, if the shop took possession or keys to the vehicle there coverage is primary and will pay if they purchase the direct coverage. It is up to the agent to explain this option to the customer, Barnecut’s. Not sure this was done here.

  • EmmyJane April 29, 2011 (1:31 pm)

    Jan – I don’t know how I’ve missed you’ve needed a transplant! You are such a wonderful part of this blog and I’m sorry to hear you’re going through rough times. Have they found a donor yet?

  • JanS April 29, 2011 (5:31 pm)

    Emmy Jane…I haven’t made a big deal out of it.My daughter has volunteered to be a live donor. I will finish testing on tuesday to get approved for transplant, but they can’t start testing her to see if she’s a total match until I’m approved. Hopefully, I’ll know in a few weeks.

    Dale..it’s a long story…car had been sitting in my parking spot not working, so I let the insurance lapse. I had a new battery put in, drove 1/2 block down the alley to Barnecut’s. I was going to reinstate my insurance the day I picked it up. It was stolen in the meantime. Barnecut’s refused to take responsibility. Lessons learned all around.

  • AG April 29, 2011 (8:21 pm)

    That’s the second car I’ve heard of that’s been stolen or tampered with while on Barnecutt’s lot awaiting repair recently, and the second one that Barnecutt’s refused to make good.

    Sounds like a security lapse that they don’t want their insurer to know about.

    Whether or not they’re being deliberately shady, they have a problem. I know where I won’t be taking my car. Ever. And I also know there are others. The cost of business lost is likely much higher than the cost to make good on Jan’s little car.

  • Alma April 30, 2011 (12:47 pm)

    I just read the story about the stolen motorcycle. Our motorcycle got stolen on Tuesday night, 26th, sometime between 7:30pm and 7am the next day. We live in Admiral neighborhood on California. It could have been the same guy!! I e-mailed the west seattle blog to post if anyone saw anything but i haven’t seen the post yet. If anyone has seen a black Harley Davidson motorcycle get stolen, please post any information on here! THANK YOU!

    • WSB April 30, 2011 (1:22 pm)

      Alma – I haven’t received a note from you; try editor@westseattleblog.com, and if that’s where you sent it, my apologies, but the mailbox has its glitches sometimes … TR

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