Police investigation in Seaview after prowler report

Thanks to the WSB’ers who tipped us to a police investigation on 48th SW near SW Findlay in Seaview, reporting police at the scene with guns drawn. One person was detained when we got there; from Seattle Police media relations, Det. Mark Jamieson said it started as a call from someone who heard a knock on the front door and then heard someone apparently trying to break in at the back of the house. Whether or not this will turn out to have been a bonafide burglary attempt, with a full-fledged arrest, he won’t know till the report’s in a bit later, so we will check back. Seaview has been hit hard by burglaries lately; this is just a few blocks from one reported in West Seattle Crime Watch earlier this week, at 46th/Brandon.

POSTSCRIPT: Please see the comments, verifying this was a burglary attempt, with an arrest. We don’t know the suspect’s name, though, so we cannot check on status.

bandersen February 15, 2013 (2:30 pm)

This was my house. My wife was home when dude knocked on the door. He knocked three times and my wife ignored him. She thought that he had gone when she heard something in the back of the house and saw him trying to get in the back door. He was trying to get in the garage when the cops came. He never got in. Everyone here is a bit shaken but fine.

There is a point that the officers made that had not occurred to me: If you hear a knock at the door during the day, don’t ignore it. You can still tell them to beat it if it’s someone that you don’t know, but say something through the door to let them know that you’re home. The vast majority of break-ins are committed by people looking for easy cash and will move along if someone is home.

Thank you to the officers who were here within minutes and very helpful and supportive to my wife.

WSB February 15, 2013 (2:52 pm)

B – Thank you for the update. We have reported police saying that before, but not often enough – people need to tell their kids that, too. It was a hard lesson for me to learn, because my default had ALWAYS been to ignore a knock on the door, unless I am specifically expecting a visitor … Their advice has included yelling something toward the door like SORRY, CAN”T COME TO THE DOOR or even pretending someone else is inside, HEY, WILL YOU GET THE DOOR? or at least making sure that you have a source of audio playing near the door … TR

squareeyes February 15, 2013 (2:53 pm)

That’s my house in the photo. Just talked to a neighbor (not the victim) who said yes, bonafide burglary attempt.

Faith4 February 15, 2013 (4:31 pm)

The police had told us at one time to put signs on our door that said “no solicitors.” Thus, the door would not normally be answered because of that. Has that changed?

WSB February 15, 2013 (5:11 pm)

If you put up a sign, nobody SHOULD knock. But if they do – they’re not saying, answer it – they’re saying, make some noise so they know someone’s home.

West Seattle Hipster February 15, 2013 (6:38 pm)

Anybody know of a good, reputable, local home security installer?

clairdesol February 15, 2013 (7:06 pm)

These are the people who did my alarm in West Seattle. There is one additional advantage to using a local monitoring company, they respond more quickly.
Streamline Integration
Phone: 800.976.9193
Bothell, WA 98041

West Seattle Hipster February 15, 2013 (7:10 pm)

Thanks clairdesol, I will look them up.

pjmanley February 15, 2013 (8:14 pm)

Somebody’s ordering a lead lunch. Hope it arrives soon.

AG February 15, 2013 (10:12 pm)

Freedom Systems, Inc. Search the WSB for the name – they have tons of rave reviews.

The residents of the house are members of my family. I’m thankful that quick thinking saved them from any potential harm.

And I hope, but don’t dare expect, that because the POS was caught in the act and there was a witness, he doesn’t get to walk away with probation.

Kmom February 15, 2013 (10:42 pm)

Your house is in our neighborhood. So you have an alarm system? Are there stickers and/or signs notifying people that there is an alarm? I am just curious how brazen these burglars are. So sorry you had to experience this. It is getting way too common.

lookigforlogic February 16, 2013 (2:59 am)

I’m at home injured and can’t get to the front of the house, saw the back of the head of short light hair. What did the guy at your place look like?

AG February 16, 2013 (5:11 pm)

Kmom, I suspect that answering your questions publicly would be unsafe if the answer were no. Sounds like the homeowner did EXACTLY the right thing, as the guy was caught.

AG February 16, 2013 (5:13 pm)

Kmom, If I were the person I wouldn’t answer that question publicly.

Sounds like the homeowner did EXACTLY the right thing, as the suspect was caught.

Thy February 17, 2013 (9:55 am)

A white truck backed up our driveway about 30 minutes ago 5600 block of 48th Ave SW across street from this house…white pickup with two doors in the back and two guys lingering around the truck for awhile. I asked them what they were doing and they said they were here to pickup a water heater but must be wrong address…WTF.

Mark February 23, 2013 (6:01 am)

Alarm companies may be very responsive but the SPD may not be. Two weeks ago my home monitoring company registered an alarm and when they couldn’t reach me, called in the alarm to the SPD. I got home 45 minutes later and the police had never arrived. I guess the alarm and company did its job, I’m not sure police did.

Sorry, comment time is over.