WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Big hit-run clue; car break-in

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

HIT-RUN DRIVER LEAVES BUMPER BEHIND: The photo and report are from Angela:

My family woke up this morning to our car totaled by a hit and run. We live on the increasingly dangerous street of 49th and Admiral. This is the SECOND TIME it has happened in 2 months! As much as we love paying $500 deductibles, this is getting ridiculous. The way people drive up Admiral from the beach and whip a right onto 49th is scary and reckless.

We have lived here for 6 years and have seen at least 7 or 8 hit and runs just on our block. I’ve reported it to the city before, but the fact that it’s a main arterial they said they can’t do anything about it?

We have called the police and are keeping an eye out for a Land Rover that has the front bumper gone this morning (photo above). … I would really love to catch this person!

We’ll add the SPD incident number when available. (ADDED 11:13 AM: 17-160911)

CAR PROWL: From Joe:

Our car was broken into during the early morning of 5/7 in the Gatewood area on SW Willow between 38th and 39th. No signs of forced entry. Various items including golf clubs were taken.

WSB crime coverage is archived here as well as on the Crime Watch page.

19 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Big hit-run clue; car break-in"

  • Matt May 8, 2017 (10:05 am)

    Somebody certainly has a neighbor that suddenly has noticeable damage to their Land Rover/Range Rover this morning.  Hope that they see this post.

  • wetone May 8, 2017 (10:43 am)

    Side street incidents in area are on the increase lately from my observations. Have lived in WS  (junction area and Alki) a long time. Over the last year I have seen more broken mirrors and cars hit. Seems like a weekly thing these days.  I relate this to road diets of main arterial’s, build up of area and cell phones. Progress they say…. Sorry to hear about your hit and run incidents. Time to buy old truck and bolt steel angle down the sides as the person on Stevens st.  did ;)  Hope city starts tracking increased side street activity’s, but that would go against things I mentioned above.    

    • sbre May 8, 2017 (6:41 pm)

      In regards to “broken mirrors”.

      Most cars have side mirrors that will fold out of the way, which can save you hundreds of dollars and numerous problems if you did so. 

      Granted they only stick out 4″-6″ or 8″, but those few can really save a lot of hassles so.

      A former car of mine was parked on the street, the folded mirror survived the side-swipe but not my front tire which was not in-line with the vehicle.  When I parked I left it in a bit of a left turn mode and the passing vehicle ripped the rubber but never touched any part of the wheel or car….I got lucky there…sort of.

  • Rhine May 8, 2017 (11:17 am)

    Any idea whether it’s a front or rear bumper?

    • Angela May 8, 2017 (11:57 am)

      I’m pretty sure it’s a front bumper since it was a direct hit on the back of our car (facing south on 49th).

      • K May 10, 2017 (7:50 pm)

        Was out for an evening walk…49th & Hill White Land Rover Front Bumper Missing.
        I have the lic plate #.

        • K May 10, 2017 (8:23 pm)

          oops…46th and Hill

          • Angela May 12, 2017 (2:51 pm)

            Thanks K AGAIN for your suggestion earlier this week, no suspects have been ruled out and are still working with the police to find the coward that drove off.  Appreciate your help!

  • ChannelingLewisBlack May 8, 2017 (11:35 am)

    Could you explain SPD’s position that they can’t enforce things because of the arterials?  I’m not sure I understand why that makes enforcing speeding or distracted driving less applicable.

  • SomeGuy May 8, 2017 (11:37 am)

    Angela – just a thought. I bet if you emailed that picture to the local Land Rover dealer service departments, they would likely be able to ascertain model and maybe even year? I’d give it a shot. Good luck finding this moron.

  • furor scribendi May 8, 2017 (4:41 pm)

    This has happened to me at least three times, where a hit & run vehicle has left behind ‘evidence’. Check the part for its part number, or any series of numbers stamped into the part, then ‘google’ the part number along with “land rover” and you’ll find out what model and year range.  Then you can report the same to SPD  and then go hunting for the culprit yourself…. good luck!

  • Gatewood Guy May 8, 2017 (6:55 pm)

    I had a vehicle run through my fence, left the front bumper, and took off.  The bumper included the VIN number.  Easy to trace who owned it, but of course it was abandoned a few blocks away and the owner claimed it was stolen.  My house was between where he worked and and where he lived.  Long story short, goodbye deductible.

  • Nancy Guppy May 8, 2017 (10:11 pm)

    Sweet Pac Man shirt!

    • Angela May 8, 2017 (10:42 pm)

      It’s an old “Kiss” shirt, but thanks!

  • Linda Kustok May 9, 2017 (7:06 pm)

    Admiral Way is totally out of control, constant speeding, racing, loud cars and the new

    striping of Admiral has not helped traffic and speeding it has gotten worse!

    what we need is for Admiral Way to be repaved  and get rid of all that ridiculous striping , that nobody pays attention to!

  • AbC May 11, 2017 (10:40 am)

     

    To K –

    The Land Rover on 46th and Hill is our sons.  It was in an accident this fall and he lost the front  bumper at that time.  He is working an extra job to fix the car himself from the accident and it is currently not running.  Angela came by our home this morning to inquire.  Wishing her luck as this has to be hugely frustrating happening a second time.

    • K May 11, 2017 (12:43 pm)

      Thank you for the update! Just thought we should let her know.

      • AbC May 11, 2017 (1:52 pm)

        Of course, K!  Great to keep an eye out for all our neighbors! 

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