West Seattle Crime Watch: Flag followup; car damage; bike theft; weird note; more

Our West Seattle Crime Watch roundup tonight includes reports from the past few days, right after a followup. First, a followup on the Beach Drive flag theft first reported here Friday: Citywide media has picked up the story, including this KING 5 report Sunday and ongoing discussion on KIRO Radio’s Ron and Don Showhere’s their update posted tonight. Ron & Don and their listeners have put up a reward now totaling $1,500. Meantime, we exchanged e-mail again today with Sharon Kennedy, who originally reported the theft to us; she said they are amazed at the community kindness, including:

And get this, a UPS driver came over yesterday, knocked on the door and said that his father died in Vietnam, and he wanted to give Duff his father’s flag from his casket!

Makes me tear up to write this, so overwhelmingly generous!

Meantime, their flag is still out there – somewhere.

Now, the new Crime Watch reports, starting with this one received today from Jeff:

My truck got broken into a few nights ago in Arbor Heights. My wife and I have had vehicles broken into in the past, but this time is more than just a feeling of violation. Whoever broke into my F-350 pickup decided to punch the lock, and when they did so, not only did they destroy the plastic unit that surrounded the lock cylinder, but they also dented my door. The cost to fix this far surpasses the funds that I have.

I’ve included a picture to show what I’m describing, but the image does not clearly illustrate the damage that occurred during the destructive break in. I’m hoping that whoever damaged my vehicle might see this and realize the financial hardship they create on a family that just wants to buy enough diapers, formula and pay the mortgage on time. I know there are kids out there that sometimes participate in damaging activities. Maybe he or she will think twice after reading this.

Carl had a bicycle theft, car prowl, and even (briefly) lost dog over the weekend:

(Saturday night) there was a car prowler in our neighborhood that left the neighbor’s papers on our front lawn and stole my daughter’s bicycle. I suspect the same thieves left open our side gate, which is how the dog got out. … Here are the details as submitted – abridged – to the Seattle PD:

A purple women’s Schwinn 21spd bike with a large (replacement) seat was stolen from the front porch last night. Also found at the property were papers from a neighbor’s car suggesting evidence of a car-prowl that occurred over night. The papers were returned to the neighbor at [7500 block of] 28th Ave SW at 10:20 AM. No further information or identifying details of the stolen bike are available, save that it is in used – not new – condition.

Their dog, at least, returned even before we could post an announcement on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page. But the bicycle theft was particularly painful, Carl says, happening right before his daughter’s birthday.

Jennifer shared this bizarre note left by someone who had to walk down an off-the-beaten-path driveway in the 10200 block of Marine View Drive to get to the door – and she says the note bore no relation to anyone in her home or any property with which they’re associated:

This is a note we received on 7/5/2013 between 10:45 AM and 11 AM.

Police report filed. A neighbor did get license plate and make and description.
Hispanic Male. Clean Shaven. Dark Black Hair. 5’10”. Stocky Build. Vehicle: 4 door sedan, Maroon / burgundy. No Bling
License Number: 819Z–

Our property … is tucked down OFF of MVD and the perp. is able to see into 3 plus properties by leaving us a bogus “neighborly” note. Just a heads up… Please post so folks in Arbor Heights and elsewhere are notified of such scams for scoping out break in options.

And Andrew has found a bicycle, possibly stolen:

I found a bike in an area of tall grass over at the intersection of 14th and Kenyon in Highland Park. Not sure if it was stolen or if the owner ditched it.

14 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Flag followup; car damage; bike theft; weird note; more"

  • your neighbor July 9, 2013 (11:36 pm)

    Al these crime reports are disheartening. It no longer feels safe in the hood. Going to put the car in my alley garage right now instead of leaving it on the street.

    • WSB July 10, 2013 (12:21 am)

      YN, there’s always been crime. Particularly property crime. Very little violent crime. We cover crime here because people asked – really pretty much demanded it; when I left TV going on six years ago, to do this fulltime, I was hoping to stay way far from crime reporting, but this is different from TV catastrophe-crime reporting … knowledge is power and people have used reports shared by others to both protect themselves and to catch suspects (like the two with the stolen truck last weekend) … TR

  • Hax July 10, 2013 (7:15 am)

    My girlfriend and I had our car broken into and over a thousand dollars worth of video games stolen from the trunk. Nothing else in the car was even looked through which makes us think that someone watched us put the games in there. We live in Highland Park on 14th

  • James July 10, 2013 (10:34 am)

    There was a purple women’s mountain bike standing on the SW corner of Fauntleroy and Dawson on Sunday. I did not pay attention to what make it was, but I am sure others saw it too since Fauntleroy is so busy. It was there from at least 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM as I saw it on my round trip. Carl, you might try checking with somebody in that apartment building to see if they grabbed it – not suggesting they might be the thief.

  • James July 10, 2013 (11:02 am)

    … I meant SE corner of Fauntleroy and Dawson. There is a brick apartment building with a small fenced in play area.

  • Ex-Westwood Resident July 10, 2013 (12:40 pm)

    Until the city clowncil decides to let the police do their jobs and start getting serious about property crimes, they will ALWAYS be this problem here!!!

  • Scott Greer July 10, 2013 (2:30 pm)

    Help! HELP!  Someone left a “BIZARRE” note at my house as a ruse, just to “case” my isolated property on Marine View Drive! File a police report- civilization has folded! 
    Run for the hills! Don’t fall for this scam- oh lord, please help us…

    With a name and number on the note, it seemed to me like it probably just got delivered to the wrong address. I wondered if anyone had called the number before filing a report, and notifying the media..? 

    So, I called Ryan (the note writer) to tell him about the major hysteria his bizarre and unexplainable note has caused. He laughed and said he works in real estate and was trying to contact someone about a piece of property. 
    Hmmm.. A likely story..!?

    My advice to Ryan- next time you “case” remote Marine View Drive properties- don’t leave your phone number!

  • Klk July 10, 2013 (4:57 pm)

    Funny, Scott! I was tempted to call it myself. Good detective work! People sure can be quick to jump to conclusions!

  • fiona enzo July 10, 2013 (7:41 pm)

    Sorry, i think it’s a creepy note especially if it’s legit, why wasnt it written on letterhead? Looks like a ransom note.

  • Scott Greer July 10, 2013 (10:37 pm)

    Ha! Fiona, thank you for giving me clarity.  At first glance, all I saw was a  courteous business inquiry, with full disclosure of first and last name and contact info. I could not understand how this innocuous little note could be crime news- or any news!  

    I now see that this letter is creepy (especially if it’s legit?!), and looks like a ransom note, and should have been written on letterhead! Even if it is what it said it was (and it is), this poor cad deserves to be publicly accused of prowling, reported to the police, and have his name, phone number, description- and even his license plate number- blasted to all corners of the interweb! Take that, Ryan C! We are on to you! Consider this the next time you try to convey your clients interest to the fine residents of MVD!

  • fiona enzo July 11, 2013 (7:05 am)

    Scott, Glad you have seen the light. I recommend more reading of National Enquirer to stay on top of these trends.

  • miws July 11, 2013 (7:26 am)

    Actually fiona brings up an interesting point; it seems to be more common, and “normal” to leave a business card with maybe a brief note on the back.

    .

    Mike

  • Scott Greer July 11, 2013 (1:05 pm)

    Ok- I would say, what’s left to discuss? It’s been debunked. It is what it is- a note on notebook paper, to a guy, about a lot. But- you’re not buying it. So, I might as well fess up.. 
    You see, I’m in collusion with Ryan. He is in charge of casing prospective target homes. He takes spy photos with his special robot eyeball camera, while delivering creepy, ransom-like notes as a (not very good) cover. Once we’ve agreed on a job, I approach from the water in a special submarine raccoon suit, and pretend to rifle through some trash cans, until.. KA-CHING!  You won’t even know you’ve been hit till you reach for your diamond and sapphire tiara.. and discover.. ITS GONE!
    And we would have gotten away with it, if it wasn’t for those meddling kids!

  • Al July 11, 2013 (9:29 pm)

    James. Can you give me more details on the bike you did see Sunday. Thanks. Email me.

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