WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gift shop Alair burglarized

9:27 AM: The West Seattle gift shop Alair won’t be open regular hours today, its manager tells us, because they are dealing with damage done by burglar(s) and have to do repairs. The break-in happened around 5:45 am today. Alair has been open 10 months at 3280 California SW. If you have any information for police, you can refer to incident number 17-367299.

11:41 AM: Alair proprietor Shandon Graybeal says the burglar(s) “took a lot” – including jewelry, purses, and her register – but she is now open for the day, until 6 pm. We’re also adding, above, a security-camera image from the burglary (though the burglar’s face is covered, maybe you’ll recognize the clothing, or …).

32 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gift shop Alair burglarized"

  • Gabe and Linda October 3, 2017 (10:15 am)

    Grrrrrr, come on West Seattle, how can someone do this? I know Shandon personally and she is such a great person, feel so bad for you and the store, hopefully repairs can be made quick, please let Linda and I know if we can help in anyway, and when they re-open please come and visit, they have some great and humerous gifts for every occasion 

  • newnative October 3, 2017 (10:34 am)

    oh no! 

  • WSMom October 3, 2017 (11:00 am)

    That’s awful!  I love that shop!

  • justme October 3, 2017 (11:17 am)

    It is such a great little shop. I always find something for every occasion when I go there. This is my neighborhood too. So sorry to hear about this Shandon.

    • WSB October 3, 2017 (11:41 am)

      Alair has now opened for the day – I’m updating the story.

  • Alair October 3, 2017 (11:49 am)

    Thanks everyone.  This sucks.  I appreciate the kindness of the neighborhood though.  We have a lot of good neighbors.  

  • Admiral Mom October 3, 2017 (12:01 pm)

    This totally sucks! I hate that people do this! But to slightly offset this financial burden for a small business owner, I’m going to go in there and shop this week! 

  • Elton October 3, 2017 (12:28 pm)

    Darn, I wish I was up at that early to catch this guy. I’m definitely going to be watching for him now…

  • schwaggy October 3, 2017 (12:57 pm)

    Literal Fin pond scum.

  • Stephanie October 3, 2017 (1:22 pm)

    Oh I am so sorry to hear this. You are a great addition to West Seattle and I hope you can recover and continue with your success. 

  • aa October 3, 2017 (1:47 pm)

    Alert local pawnshops and keep an eye on Craigslist. As we’ve seen with bikes the thief will probably try to sell the stolen merch.

  • Admirer October 3, 2017 (1:51 pm)

    Wow, I was just in there a few days ago and talked with the owner about how business was going.  Plus I live in the neighbourhood so that is not good news that we have these low-lifes in the area. 

    • Spokant October 3, 2017 (2:47 pm)

      I’ve been saying this here for months; it is getting WORSE in West Seattle, not better. The transient drifters that make their way up from the Sodo/Jungle/Encampment areas are changing the make up of an otherwise awesome neighborhood. Meth head drug addicts hanging out at the junction; drug deals happening in broad daylight at our parks and near schools.

      Where are the police? Have any updates on the 3 HOMICIDES that have happened in the area since be beginning of summer???

  • Lori McConnell October 3, 2017 (2:45 pm)

    I’m sorry to hear this.  This is a great small business and things like this really hurt the bottom line. They are  hosting a Ladies Night this month. So if you  want to offer support at this time,  attend! Would be a fun night. 

    Love,

    Another Local Shop Owner

  • RJB October 3, 2017 (3:48 pm)

    Nooooo!!So sorry!!! Great place!!

  • Al October 3, 2017 (4:10 pm)

    The junction plaza has gotten worse. One guy thought I was watching them and tried to get in my face. Bad idea for him. They need more patrols. The apt above qfc needs to get on the ball as well with the same guys. Sorry about the break in . 

  • TJ October 3, 2017 (6:20 pm)

    Sorry to hear about the burglary. Theft and property crimes seem to be rising, and the city is really being apathetic about it. So much of it can be attributed to the drug problem. I’m sorry, but no sympathy for them here. On the rare occasion they get caught its a slap on the wrist…some giving sob stories. And any city politician saying we have a police shortage is a joke. We are experiencing a modern day gold rush here economy wise, and to not perform the most basic responsibility of government of providing enough protection is a reflection on our elected officials priorities. 

  • Elisa October 3, 2017 (7:40 pm)

    I’m so sad to hear this. We love Alair and shop their often, it’s such a sweet shop and the owner always makes us feel so welcome. Not liking a break in right in the neighborhood.

  • Mike October 3, 2017 (8:20 pm)

    Ugh, worthless scum.  I have to agree, there’s a lot more theft in the area and WAY more drug and illicit activity around.  The park in the Junction is the local addict hangout.  Easy picking for SPD if they wanted to arrest a few people shooting up midday.  I’m still trying to figure out if the people living in the RV and Pickup at the end of my block are family of the people that own the house or if the people living in the house rent and just allow people to live in an RV and pickup in their driveway.

  • Junction Lady October 3, 2017 (9:29 pm)

     This burglary is beyond unfortunate for the shop owner and the community.  

    As Al mentioned, I have been spooked by some of the bench sitters and would never enter the junction plaza as it appears to be overrun by druggies.  The general area stinks of human waste.  Is it possible an authority figure aka police or security could walk around and say, “move it along”.  It will only get worse if we let it fester…

  • KD October 3, 2017 (10:03 pm)

    Uncover your face, you COWARD burglar!

  • Spokant October 3, 2017 (10:29 pm)

    I want to take back West Seattle. Who is with me?

    • ds October 6, 2017 (8:36 pm)

      Like the spirit and I’m there with you.  But we need someone with stronger will than our current District rep to take on the challenge with us.

  • Tired October 3, 2017 (11:45 pm)

    I bet SPOKANT wants to take back ‘merica’ too.  Seriously….show a little empathy. It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to see that the guy in the photo is far from the homeless wretch that causes you such a bad day….regularly apparently. Quit being such a snowflake.

  • JR66 October 4, 2017 (10:21 am)

    If you want to know where the police are they hang out on the Admiral Hill waiting for someone to go over 30mph so they can write tickets, meanwhile your house or business is getting robbed.  But don’t you feel so much better knowing drivers on the green belt are getting pulled over left and right?

    • ds October 6, 2017 (8:37 pm)

      With all the tax increases you’d think they could afford to have both patrols and speed traps.  And yes, some speed enforcement is good although they should move it over to Admiral Junction red light running before someone gets killed.

  • Mark October 4, 2017 (11:52 am)

    This sucks, small business owners have a hard enough time making it work.  I hope they catch the burglars/vandels.  And I really hope they are made to pay restitution.

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