West Seattle Crime Watch: Five reader reports

Five reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, starting with a stolen vehicle:

William writes:

Hy 94 Nissan Pathfinder was stolen last night from where I park at my gf’s house most nights. Photo attached. Seattle Police incident# 13-505070 First three license plate #’s are ACZ.

Heather from Seaview reports her home was broken into:

I wanted to let you know that my house was broken into yesterday afternoon around 5:00 pm. The thief broke open my back door and entered my bedroom where many valuable things were stolen – specifically an entire jewelry box along with other less valuable items. We believe the suspect was seen by a visitor at a neighbor’s house who saw him, one guy, leave in a black older Volvo with my jewelry box and a suitcase (which he filled with other stuff). Police were called and searched my home and tested for fingerprints. The individual was described as a white male with long face, unsure of age, driving an older black 5 door Volvo, wearing a black jacket and a hat. We are hoping one of the neighbors video surveillance may have captured the suspect.

Also of importance is that the thief broke in while my dog was there. She was not injured or stolen but surprised that they would hit a home with a dog (border collie pit bull mix – not aggressive at all).

An anonymous report of car prowlers in Upper Fauntleroy:

Please let the community know there have been a series of car break-ins over the last week just south of Thistle on Sullivan Street. Thieves rifled through cars and took small items. Our neighborhood watch is keeping an eye out, and yours should, too!

A package theft report from Jillian:

We had a package stolen off of our porch at 35th and Dakota. It happened yesterday between noon and 6:00 p.m. My boyfriend came home at 6:00 and noticed that someone had taken the package and replaced it with an empty Cabela’s box that looks like it was stolen out of a neighbor’s recycling bin. We are having all of our packages sent to our work addresses now, and I would advise our neighbors to do the same.

And Ray says someone is tearing up the grass at Hiawatha again:

Just got back from walking my dogs through Hiawatha by WSHS. Someone, for the second time in about 3 weeks, drove all over the lawn on the east side of the community center. Needless to say, the grass is all torn up. … I wish whoever is doing this to our park would get caught.

As noted here earlier today, park safety/security is the topic when the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets next Tuesday.

11 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Five reader reports"

  • ws_suzanne February 13, 2013 (8:49 pm)

    Heather, can you give an approximate location? As a fellow Seaview resident, it would be very good to know.

    I sure hope he was captured on surveillance.

  • Savannah February 13, 2013 (9:37 pm)

    Agree with ws_suzanne…it would help to have an approximate location so that those who have video surveillance can check…

    • WSB February 13, 2013 (10:04 pm)

      Referring back to the original e-mail – 46th/Brandon.

  • Ray West February 14, 2013 (6:13 am)

    Sorry to hear this, but it’s just a never-ending occurrence here. It’s not if, but when and who, will get hit next. Having a dog is NOT a deterrent to thieves, so be beware of a false sense of security unless you have a trained attack canine.

  • DBM February 14, 2013 (7:17 am)

    I live near the Charlestown street water tower and in the last four months Three houses have been burglarized. One this past Sunday am while the family was at church. And a small pick up was stolen. We must report ANY suspicious behavior. The bad guys are getting more desperate and creative.

  • Morgan February 14, 2013 (10:27 am)

    Heather, would your dog have barked at the intruders? My little dogs go crazy when someone is around the house, I can’t imagine anyone coming in with all the noise.

  • onceachef February 14, 2013 (10:47 am)

    Sorry to disagree with you Ray West…a dog can be a deterrent to thieves. Anything that will slow them down, interfere or possibly attack them would make them think twice about entering a home. It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than nothing.

  • pjmanley February 14, 2013 (2:40 pm)

    I think word is out that WS is an easy target. Many homes are a short distance from the freeways, and not enough neighbors are diligent, or nosey enough. We walk our dog twice a day, as we have going on 15 years, and I still see too many shut-ins, with drapes & shades drawn, porch lights off, etc. Lots and lots of opportunity for the wrong kind of people to exploit. Cut back those over-gown bushes and trees and get some light and view corridors open around your homes, so it’s easier for neighbors to see a prowler. And introduce yourself to your neighbors if you don’t know them. A little Mayberry could save us a lot of grief.

  • pjmanley February 14, 2013 (2:45 pm)

    While I’m not happy about public cameras in neighborhoods, I do think they make sense to protect public assets and buildings, like at Hiawatha. Seems to me the government has a legitimate interest in watching those fields, not only protecting the grounds, but the hundreds of people who walk and jog around there.

  • Carol O. February 14, 2013 (3:49 pm)

    A camera is just like a witness it does nothing to actually stop a crime does it really matter?

  • KCH February 14, 2013 (8:38 pm)

    pjmanley – is spot on. I’ve been in Seattle for 17 years now (grew up in New England). I am still surprised at how little neighbors interact out here in Seattle (generally speaking) compared to where I grew up. The more we reach out to others, the more we all help each other out in so many ways. Keeping a lookout for one another is a no brainer.

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