West Seattle Crime Watch: Casing/package-prowling alert

Just out of the WSB inbox, from Rene, who says it happened near the Fauntleroy ferry dock:

After dark 6:20 tonight while outside my house with my dog I noted a middle-aged Caucasian woman prowling around my neighbor’s house with headlamp, and trying out their doors. I called across to her, and she said she was trying to deliver a package. I asked to whom, and she quoted a different house number, and quickly took off on foot south on 48th. There was no delivery van in sight, nor was this person wearing a uniform. I walked over to the house and found a package labeled with another address, and clearly tampered with. Called neighbors (away at the time), met with their family on site, contacted police, etc.

Be careful when you leave your home to put on lamp timers, switch up your routine, and have your Good Samaritan friends and neighbors stop by and/or keep an eye on the place. In this holiday season, please be wary of “false delivery” prowlers!

13 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Casing/package-prowling alert"

  • West Seattle edge December 6, 2011 (8:45 pm)

    Lately lots of prowlers in this area which we have never had before, lets all keep our eyes out.

  • elisabeth December 6, 2011 (8:54 pm)

    My neighbors are away for the week. From their front porch I have collected 2 big tubs of Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough (must be kept frozen!) and a mail-order package from a retailer. I’m holding these items (2 of them in my freezer) for their return. If you’re gonna be away, don’t order stuff to be delivered to the front porch!

    Last year I ordered on-line a G5 I-mac. In several places in the order process, the vendor stated clearly that the package would not be left if nobody was home and I would get a message where to pick it up. Then I got home one night and there it was sitting on the front porch. Sheesh.

  • Megan December 6, 2011 (9:57 pm)

    Have your deliveries sent to work. Problem solved. I’d rather carry a bulky package on the bus than flush money down the drain because certain people are bottom feeders that can’t be trusted to keep their hands off others’ property. I have no patience for thieves. Don’t give them a reason.

  • Rene December 6, 2011 (10:40 pm)

    Sorry if my report sounds unclear but prowler was casing a house, using stolen package (from another residence) as ruse. Still, all points about protecting mail delivery/house security are valid.

  • Alki Resident December 6, 2011 (10:55 pm)

    My neighbors would call me and ask to watch for delivery and take it in until they got home from work.

  • Jenava December 6, 2011 (11:03 pm)

    Megan, not everyone is allowed to get packages to their work.

    We had problems with packages being stolen last year around this time. This year we have a high res camera pointed at our front door on a video recorder. Now at least if someone takes something the police will get a clear look at them.

  • Chris December 6, 2011 (11:13 pm)

    There is no way my neighbor if they were in their right mind would trust me with cookie dough.

  • Claire December 7, 2011 (2:42 pm)

    The donation we left outside for Northwest Center was stolen off of our front porch a few weeks ago.

  • Fauntleroy Neighbor December 7, 2011 (9:18 pm)

    To clarify, this incidence took place in the Fauntleroy neighborhood 2 blocks east of the ferry. The prowler took off on 45th Ave SW, not 48th as indicated in the original report.
    .
    Also, I’ll note that Rene’s dog is also to thank. She has a keen awareness for alerting her owner when something isn’t right in the neighborhood. This isn’t the first time.

  • Rene December 8, 2011 (8:38 pm)

    ***IMPORTANT UPDATE***

    Unfortunately the home I witnessed being cased was burglarized within 24-48 hours. Front door kicked in and some possessions stolen.

    The silver lining if there is one is that the residence was monitored by neighbors and family due to above-noted criminal activity, thereby thwarting repeated entry attempts.

  • Tony December 9, 2011 (6:38 am)

    Last night 12-8-11 around 9:15 pm I heard a car with a loud muffler driving up our street at 127th (dead end). He turned around and left, minutes later I heard it again so I went outside and saw a late 90’s or early 2000 model blue Mitsubishi Eclipse with a man driving-first couple of the license was 982. It was dark so I couldn’t see the whole thing. I watched him and he sat in front of 2 different houses with his flashers on. I watched for about 3-4 minutes before he turned around. He never got out of the car, thinking he was taking note of the cars in the area or who looked like they might be home. I went back home and reported him to the cops for casing. We have been hit on this street the last month or so and I will report anything suspicous I see.
    Be on the lookout.

  • Gary December 9, 2011 (3:07 pm)

    A few weeks ago there was someone pounding on the door and kicking it. Today a black girl in her mid 20s came to my house in a truck white f150 with driver waiting inside, asking for directions.Odd directions. I think they’re casing my house.

  • lookingforlogic December 13, 2011 (8:17 pm)

    I spent my day off installing extra deadlocks on my doors. We have had a huge gigantic monster increase in theft at work and I am concerned about our house.

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