West Seattle Crime Watch: Overnight car theft; weekend car prowl; tool-theft followup; package-theft alert

| Crime | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 10:39 AM with package-theft alert in Gatewood)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:22 AM: Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning. First, watch for Tony‘s stolen car:

I woke up this morning and went I to leave for work my car was gone. I reported my stolen car with SPD and my insurance. (3200 block of) California Ave (car was parked behind building in alley parking spot). 1998 Honda Civic 4 door sedan/Burgundy.Car has a laborers sticker in the back and a local 440 union sticker in rear window.

Here’s a photo of the plate in its distinctive holder:

One difference from the photo – the tabs have since been renewed, so they would read 10/2016. If you see the car, call 911.

Also from the WSB inbox this morning, Lindsey reports a weekend car prowl:

Just wanted to let you know over the weekend our car was prowled on 32nd Ave SW (near Genesee). We forgot to lock it and came out the next morning and found our center console rummaged through. I believe they only took an old iPod. I am about to report it on the police site next. But just a heads up for our neighbors.

And a followup on Jane‘s garage burglary on Genesee Hill, in which tools worth $1,800 were stolen, reported here December 4th. A neighbor’s surveillance camera yielded this image:

That’s as clear (and large) as it gets, she says, but if you think you recognize it, please contact her directly and/or share the tip with police by referring to case #15-420895, not in a comment; thanks.

ADDED 10:39 AM: Sarah in Gatewood just sent this, so we’re adding ASAP:

Just saw two males taking Amazon packages off a doorstep on Othello (3600 block). The driver was white – 30ish round face, the guy taking packages was maybe Asian/Mexican in a red and black oversize hoodie – he looked about 5’8 and skinny. It was an older white SUV, maybe a Ford – with a window that was broken out, but taped up on the driver’s side, and one of the driver-side doors had a big black circle. License plate ATS68–. Cops are being notified too.

Kathy December 14, 2015 (11:04 am)

So sorry to hear these stories. I had 2 shopping bags of wrapped gifts for the YWCA family Christmas gift donations stolen out of my car parked at home near 42 and Dawson. I always lock my car and keep everything out of sight, but a hard lesson to learn that even keeping things out of sight is no longer possible. And apparently a careless moment of not locking my car. Hoping that the Barbie dolls and Lego sets find their way to make some kids happy. (A police report was filed online)

MMB December 14, 2015 (11:19 am)

Many Amazon orders can go to lockers. You get a text on delivery, and you have a couple of days to pick up feom a temporary private locker. You get a code to collect. There are three locker locations now in WS. When you pick your delivery address, search for one near you. You can pick one near work or home.

Flip Washington December 14, 2015 (12:15 pm)

I say we all fill an Amazon box with dog/cat poop and leave them out in front of our houses for the crooks to enjoy. I think it would be a delightful protest that these animals who steal would understand.

HP neighbor December 14, 2015 (12:53 pm)

Yesterday afternoon I saw what appeared to me, a suspicious white male (tall and thin) get dropped off on the corner in front of my house by an older white SUV (thinking jeep). I watched him walk down my block wearing a hoodie & carrying a clipboard. Find this odd: 1. I don’t recognize him and know what my neighbors on my block look like. 2. He was dropped off, walking fast, and looked over his shoulder several times. Lost visual after he past 4th driveway. This was in Highland Park.

Andrea December 14, 2015 (1:14 pm)

Regarding the Amazon package thieves, I saw them being arrested at the gas station across the street from the fire station on 35th and Holden, around 830am.

WSB December 14, 2015 (1:21 pm)

Probably not the same ones unless they were being questioned and not arrested, as I really did publish this note minutes after it came in, in the 10 am hour. Will check the police-call log, though. Thanks. – TR

WSB December 14, 2015 (3:40 pm)

Followup: The incident logged on Tweets by Beat at that time was described as auto theft. A significant police turnout would tend to mean they stopped a car that checked out as stolen. – TR

Flip Washington December 14, 2015 (3:42 pm)

Here’s what we should be doing … on.mash.to/1SY1PY1

WSB December 14, 2015 (4:18 pm)

Flip, that’s been suggested here probably a hundred times. Interesting to see someone actually tried it. The comeback here is usually “yes, but then they’ll come back and take revenge” so I guess we can watch to see if it happens to this person.

Marine View Drive Neighbor December 14, 2015 (4:34 pm)

Came home to a black Mercedes with 3 Asian guys casing my house. They said Mr Jones sent them for a contractor remodel job. One guy ran and the other two drove off fast. License plate reported to police. Be on the lookout. License AVT2–

willbehonest December 14, 2015 (5:41 pm)

These guys in the old white ford SUV who have been stealing packages have been driving all over West Seattle – the circle has a triangle spray painted in the middle, sort of like an anarchy sign. Drivers window is totally gone, just a clear plastic bag with rip in it to peek out of. Last seen around noon on on SW Holden and 16th by the 7-11 driving erratically. The SUV stands out it won’t be long before their caught. I noticed it right away.

Keri December 14, 2015 (6:23 pm)

Maybe we should try this:

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=37743979&nid=148&fm=home_page&s_cid=toppick3

JayDee December 14, 2015 (7:48 pm)

The van seems to a have a logo of the top of the space needle with words that could say (open to interpretation) “Postal Distribution (delivery?) Center”…but I have only my Aperture magnifying glass to help.

Andrea December 14, 2015 (9:39 pm)

Willbehonest- That is the vehicle I saw, at the gas station, but around 830am, and 3 cop cars were behind it, with one man in cuffs… weird.

JayDee December 14, 2015 (9:51 pm)

I think the logo is a reflection of the garage lights — My bad. I stick with the rest of it with all qualifications.

WSince December 15, 2015 (8:13 am)

Like your idea Keri! We’re on board. My dog is willing to do his part to help out the cause. We could have boxes filled in no time!

Susan December 15, 2015 (9:21 pm)

Hi Everyone, had packages stolen off my front porch today between 4:20-5:30pm. Near the corner of 49th and Dakota. Wasn’t home, so didn’t see anyone. No longer having packages delivered to the house. Sheesh!

Deanna December 15, 2015 (10:07 pm)

Black SUV seen slowly prowling around Delridge/Gennesee Area.

On Delridge:
Also – Packages stolen week of Nov. 15th = $175 (two packages, from FedEx) off door step. Reported to FedEx (they didn’t knock, I was home!)

USPS packages stolen today = 2, homemade gifts, irreplaceable. I didn’t know the packages were coming, and there’s a community mailbox with no spot for anything larger than letters.

Sade December 15, 2015 (11:15 pm)

Willbehonest and Andrea- I wrote in about the packages. It happened at 8:35am so hopefully it was the SUV/guys getting caught. The car is very distinctive- that would be right around the corner from where the packages were stolen.

Sorry, comment time is over.