West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Palpable increase in auto thefts’

If you see or hear anything suspicious in your neighborhood – particularly around vehicles – don’t hesitate to call 911. That’s the message from Southwest Precinct police, because of what Lt. Ron Rasmussen confirms is “a palpable increase in auto thefts in West Seattle.” We’d noticed the trend and mentioned it as a side note on this unrelated crime story just yesterday, noting that the city police-reports map showed nine auto-theft cases here just from this past Monday through Thursday, and then talked with Lt. Rasmussen today at West Seattle Summer Fest. He says the stolen cars are “mostly mid-’90s Honda products with a tendency toward the Civics. It appears to be occurring mostly between 10 at night and 5 in the morning.” He says no particular neighborhood is getting targeted – it’s all over West Seattle.

22 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: 'Palpable increase in auto thefts'"

  • Recall McGinn July 8, 2011 (10:12 pm)

    Too bad there are not stiffer penalties for car theft.

  • Mike July 8, 2011 (10:25 pm)

    Look at which cars are #1 and #2 most stolen in the USA. http://autos.yahoo.com/news/the-10-most-stolen-cars-in-america.html?page=2
    .
    Get a Buick, pretty sure kids don’t want them.

  • bolo July 8, 2011 (10:29 pm)

    Wondering if there is a perceivable pattern to the thefts– shaved keys, broken windows, cloned key fob, etc. Might this help prevention efforts?

  • Norman July 8, 2011 (11:38 pm)

    Does this mean that there is a garage some where with a lot of cars being stripped down? maybe a whare house full? can they still be in west Seattle or would they haul them farther away very disturbing indeed.

  • Ilo July 8, 2011 (11:43 pm)

    My car was broken into this past Tuesday night, stole items from trunk. Very disturbing.

  • Mike July 9, 2011 (12:36 am)

    If the cars are broken into and items inside that are loose get stolen, it’s not a chop shop doing it. If the car is stripped for parts, it’s probably a chop shop or some kid selling on craigslist/eBay.
    .
    There are a lot of Honda forums that they might sell on too.

  • Me July 9, 2011 (7:21 am)

    My daughter’s car was broken into last night between 1a.m and 5a.m., we live two blocks away from Endolyne Joe’s. Her glove box and trunk were ransacked, the thief got away with small electronics and a camera. Her gas cap was unscrewed too, maybe attempted to siphone the gas also?

  • Dawson July 9, 2011 (8:12 am)

    Had my truck stolen a few years back. They found my hide a key. When the SPD found the truck with the ‘perps’ driving it, the detective working the case was pretty disappointed. He knew these were the people, but because there was no damage to ignition, forceable entry etc they couldn’t charge the people. Something to think about

  • Velo_nut July 9, 2011 (8:15 am)

    School must be out. Aaaahh… Summer!

  • phil dirt July 9, 2011 (9:20 am)

    Our 91 Honda was stolen from in front of our house several weeks ago. It was later found in an apartment house parking lot on Delridge but stripped to the point where we gave it to my nephew. He is now busy buying parts off Craigs list. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the parts are off our Honda. I, too, wish the laws were stiffened. These young criminals are becoming too bold. Many of them will go on to bigger crimes.

  • JN July 9, 2011 (11:37 am)

    Maybe realize your car attracts thieves and get a different one?

    • WSB July 9, 2011 (11:47 am)

      That’s kind of unrealistic. I’ve had a Honda Civic for nine years. No money for another car and this one is likely to last another 10 years at the rate we’re not putting miles on it. Even though they’re apparently beloved by thieves, your chances of NOT getting your car stolen is still much higher than your chance of becoming a theft victim. – TR

  • Kayleigh July 9, 2011 (3:41 pm)

    Palpable?

    • WSB July 9, 2011 (4:50 pm)

      Direct quote. Seems to fit, oddly.

  • PWest July 9, 2011 (6:52 pm)

    Maybe it’s time to bring the verb “to palp” into the lexicon in all it’s forms; eg:
    “It’s easy to palp the difference between thoughtful comments and thoughtless ones on the WSB.”

  • Recall McGinn July 9, 2011 (7:03 pm)

    Time for a bait car?

  • Helen July 9, 2011 (11:36 pm)

    WSB, thanks for putting this up.

    I read this post yesterday at work, and today there was a late model Honda across the street from my house that looked out of place. I had a closer look, and after finding the bumper in the back seat and the trunk lid missing, reported it. When SPD arrived, I went out to chat with them. They popped the hood of the car to find a big gaping hole where the engine was–while I shouldn’t be surprised, I still was. They also told me that the VIN had been stripped from the car as well.

    Yipes.

  • fed up July 10, 2011 (10:40 pm)

    I hate to hear of so many auto thefts in the area but on another subject,I’d like to warn people of a car full of teenagers in the Roxbury area who constantly driving around throwing there trash out the car window,parking by the local churh,smoking weed and light fireworks at 3-4 am! I call the cops but they never arrive on time. White Monte Carlo 2door 1988 plates start with ABK69..Fed Up!

  • Cali101 July 11, 2011 (8:50 am)

    Had our truck broken into 1.5 weeks ago directly in front of me and our dog! A car full of kids. I yelled at them, and they took off with just a few items. Cop came out and said a lot of cars were hit on California that evening. Not cool!

  • Cheryl July 11, 2011 (12:34 pm)

    I am a person who had a ’93 Nissan (for goodness sakes!) stolen. They jimmied the passenger side door. I got it back in ten days. It was obviously children who had taken it. They must have taken it somewhere where they could drive it really fast over lots of hills and vales and BUMPS! When I picked it up, and drove it home, I first had to get gas because it was almost out, and it jiggled as I drove it. They only drove it about 34 miles total. Although this is an old car, it drives tight, but until it was redone, it jiggled. The folks who fixed it up for me and my insurance company did an excellent job. It looks great and it no longer jiggles.

  • average joe July 11, 2011 (10:25 pm)

    they used to hang people for stealing horses.
    but now, if you steal a car, it’s a slap on the wrist.
    what gives!
    obviously, i am not suggesting we hang car thieves, but A: more attention and patrols from police would help, and B: if you catch them, STIFFER and LONGER penalties!!!

  • C.D. July 21, 2011 (9:55 pm)

    Had my 1996 navy blue Subaru Outback wagon stolen on Tuesday night near 11th and Elmgrove. Never thought anyone would even consider taking it. Haven’t seen it since…

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