West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 more car-prowl reports

In West Seattle Crime Watch today, three more reader reports of car prowling/break-ins – read on for details, including what the prowlers did – and did NOT! – take:

From Sarah:

My car was broken into (Tuesday) night at 44th Ave SW, a ½ block from Lafayette. They squirted my lotion all over the car and slashed the fabric ceiling of my car. All of my belongings were thrown about, but nothing appears to be missing. This is the second time in the last three months this has happened to me. It makes me anxious because they vandalized my car this time so it seems that their behavior is getting worse. I would just like to try and figure out if the same person is vandalizing the cars in Admiral or if it is different people and what we can do to deter this behavior.

Also Tuesday night, Kathy reports, the cars belonging to her household were ransacked:

Not much taken except for change from both cars (despite the Garmin and sunglasses being out too) and we did leave the doors unlocked….Admiral/Alki, 52nd and Pritchard.

And B sent a report this week about a car prowl a week earlier:

My SUV was rummaged through last Monday night the 9th, off Delridge Ave SW and 23rd Ave SW. The car prowlers did not take my change, stereo or CD’s. They threw everything out of the glove compartment and did take my iPhone car charger and a cheap pair of sunglasses. Strange, huh! Risk robbery charges for $10 worth of stuff.

I left my car unlocked by accident thinking it was just the door locked not the alarm set. A neighbor left a note a week prior complaining of my car alarm going off around 2-3am and insisted I deactivate it because it was disturbing sleepers. (obviously car prowlers were checking my car out and my alarm was protecting my car) So I have been locking the doors only, not placing the alarm on to avoid neighborhood conflict. However, that day I forgot to hit the “lock doors” button inside my car.

Looks like I’m gonna start putting my alarm back on because I want these prowlers warned or stopped! I’ll deal with my neighbors somehow.

While we certainly don’t get reader reports on all crimes in the area – and reporting them to police is more important than reporting them to us, if it’s either/or! – we’ve certainly received more car-prowl reports than usual lately, so we’re checking with police to see what their trends are showing. And we’ll reiterate – even if nothing was taken, PLEASE tell police, so that they can adjust staffing/patrols appropriately – you can even report this type of crime online (but if you see a car prowl IN PROGRESS – do call 911!).

10 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 more car-prowl reports"

  • bsmomma July 19, 2012 (2:37 pm)

    I am so sorry for everyone of you!!!! Here’s a little story to make you smile………. My sisters’ car was stolen a month(ish) ago. All hope was lost. On Monday she got the call it had ben found in Ballard. She went to acess the situation…….not good. BUT she did find some things in there that didn’t belong to her……..including a disposable camera. Thieves are missing a few brain cells because Oh yes, there was a plether of pics of these lovely citizens IN HER CAR!!! Next to the car. Of the car. Idiots. But a good laugh non the less. :)

  • Km July 19, 2012 (5:47 pm)

    I read an article that the police in San Francisco are being trained to take finger prints from cars. There was some hoopla how that would take away from the police tending to ‘bigger needs’ but it said in the long run it’s only a minute or so of their time. If they are waiting (like for someone to meet them ie residence, tow truck driver, etc..) that’s where they could get the finger prints.

  • Lisa July 19, 2012 (10:04 pm)

    Sarah,
    Several of us were hit on 44th between Stevens and Hanford on Tuesday night. My neighbor interrupted them in my car and called the police. One person was apprehended.
    My car was not damaged, but a neighbor had hand sanitizer dumped in their stereo – it seems like this was a vandalism rampage..
    I am not sure about detering this, but I know we are planning to discuss the issue at our upcoming block party.

  • margaret July 19, 2012 (11:45 pm)

    My car was also broken into on Tuesday night. (Admiral district). It was a big help to have the WS blog’s link to the police for reporting. TY
    My items were recovered on the lawn of a client’s home. They reconized the ID info of my company and dropped off my missing items.
    Turns out 2 other cars in the block were broken into at well.
    What is going on?

  • Chris July 20, 2012 (8:15 am)

    Sarah,
    I looked in my truck on 44th, same block where a few other cars hit same night, and I found the inside trashed and lid broken off the center console. Nothing taken including valuable phone charger, flashlight, etc. Very odd…like maybe they were just looking for money. Not enough damage for an insurance claim but will be a hassle to repair.

  • Gary July 20, 2012 (10:18 am)

    D – Regarding your car alarm going off and upsetting neighbors, if it is an aftermarket (not dealer) alarm is probably has a sensitivity adjustment on it that a “car toys” type place could adjust for you. But it’s very likely someone was setting it off by pulling your door handle, bumping the window or body, etc. Mine goes off if you hit it with your hand or drop a ball on it.

  • Gary July 20, 2012 (10:40 am)

    Regarding the car break-ins, we have had the same problem in Seaview Park area. There is a group of teenagers in our hood that like to get drunk then start roaming the streets checking every car on a block, usually by around 10:00 / 11:00 PM. Sounds like they’ve moved on to your areas for now.
    The police are aware of most these kids, have some names, etc. but not alot anyone can do unless you catch them in the act. Be vigilant, lock your car & shed, etc., set car alarms, stay up, sleep lite, crack a window so you can hear outside better, keep a firearm and baseball bat near by, and be ready to run out the door and do what you have to to protect your property and teach these little bastards a lesson (that’s my active plan anyway).
    I’ve ran into these guys, they act like they’re all badass but run run like hell when confronted. I’d say they are 14-17 years old and most of them are white, your typical teen next door.

  • Rebecca July 20, 2012 (2:12 pm)

    I also had my vehicle gone thru on 45th ave sw near the ferry terminal a little less than a month ago. I left it unlocked as I do now ever night with nothing of value left inside after my husbands car which was parked out on the curb had its passenger side window smashed with a large rock, all for some valueless stuff left in the back seat which was later found scattered about the neighborhood. The repair set us back a bit so I have chosen to leave my car unlocked. They took nothing from my car but left the doors ajar which could have run the battery down but luckily didn’t. My neighbors have all had similar things happen very recently, sometimes multiple times.

  • Gary July 20, 2012 (3:39 pm)

    I just ran a guy out of our alley (47th & Graham) that walked into two neighbors backyards, casing the place I guess. What the hell is going on around here lately?
    I would call the police but the guy is gone, didn’t even see which way he went. Anyway, he’s wearing a Seahawks shirt and a cap, scruffy looking in his 40’s or 50’s. Seaview people keep your eyes open!

  • MaggiesMom July 26, 2012 (9:36 pm)

    Stevens & 52nd was also recently hit in the early morning hours. (Around 4:30!). He was seen trying to get into some cars. Ended up with some poor guys wallet. My husband on a early walk, didn’t have his cell phone on him, came home & reported it & 2 police cars showed up PRONTO! They got a guy, but because it was still dark no positive i.d.’s could be made, he was released…At least the police have some idea now…Such low life losers!

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