Seen this propeller? Citywide alert after unusual theft

Like the totem pole stolen from a West Seattle park two-plus years ago, this one goes in the “they stole WHAT” file. That’s University of Washington professor Philip Thiel with a 70-inch, 1,260-pound propeller that was about to be donated to Seattle Parks for a north-end installation, till thieves made off with it in the U-District yesterday. Parks put out the citywide alert late yesterday, but didn’t have a photo till this morning; now that it’s available, even though the theft did NOT happen in West Seattle, we’re helping get out the word. If you happen to see it, Parks would like to hear from you at 206-684-7241 (and we’re sure police would, too).

15 Replies to "Seen this propeller? Citywide alert after unusual theft"

  • Jody Rodgers February 1, 2012 (9:03 am)

    And that’s the look on Professor Thiel’s face BEFORE the propeller was stolen!

  • chris February 1, 2012 (10:49 am)

    Watch the metal recyclers.

  • marty February 1, 2012 (10:50 am)

    Alert the scrap yards!

  • CJP February 1, 2012 (10:54 am)

    Some jack@55 is probably going to try to scrap it. :(

  • Wendy February 1, 2012 (11:48 am)

    I second and third the scrap metal comments — we have had several items taken from our parking area off the alley. I can’t leave anything outside that isn’t attached to something large!

  • KRM66 February 1, 2012 (1:02 pm)

    Meth addicts are getting stronger and stronger!

  • bettytheyeti February 1, 2012 (1:28 pm)

    @Jody Rodgers, hilarious comment. Yes, as a victim of of metal scavengers, go right to source, Metal Salvagers, AND WE KNOW WHO THEY ARE!

  • bridge to somewhere February 1, 2012 (1:45 pm)

    best. picture. ever.

  • rob February 1, 2012 (2:32 pm)

    anyone checked to see what the totem pole guy was doing at this time? just saying…

  • Kings of the west sea February 1, 2012 (5:59 pm)

    But how? Had to weigh several hundred pounds. The meth heads must have been fully jacked up to make off with that.

  • bob February 1, 2012 (7:35 pm)

    he might notify all of the ship repair yards on the west coast to be on the look-out also. it is worth a hell of alot more as a working prop than the scrap price.

  • Pibal February 1, 2012 (9:59 pm)

    Here’s another picture of the good professor in a happier moment (scroll down on the link).

    See that smile??

    http://www.mission-base.com/pedal-power/pp_tshirt.html

  • brin February 2, 2012 (12:30 am)

    FYI Jody – This was after they took his beanie.

  • rob February 3, 2012 (4:35 am)

    I noticed a newer black Toyota 4-door crew-cub pickup with visqueen on the back rear window ‘crusing’ that neighborhood recently.

  • Mike February 3, 2012 (12:22 pm)

    It’s been found. A Private Security Guard, a Mobile Patrol Officer found it in Kent this morning about 4:20AM

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