West Seattle Crime Watch: 35th/Thistle followup; reader reports

Topping today’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup – an update on Tuesday morning’s 35th/Thistle arrest. As we noted at the time, police were still sorting it all out, and here’s what SPD media-relations Officer Renée Witt says it came down to: The man who was arrested was also the one who claimed he’d been robbed at Westwood Village – but police have determined there was NO robbery; he made up the story and was having some kind of “mental breakdown.” They confirmed (as a commenter also reports here) he was indeed trying to get into houses along 35th SW. Eventually, he was arrested on a “weapons violation,” Officer Witt says; items police found on him included knives and brass knuckles.

Ahead: a crime report that also includes some good news about West Seattleites’ kindness, plus stolen items to watch for – including a motorcycle, a car, and keepsakes:

Nicole has a thank you – as well as a crime report. First, what she sent this morning:

My rental car was broken into last night on the 4300 block of SW Mills St – the thief got away with a green tote bag containing a grey wallet and my work ID badge. Hoping the blog readers could keep an eye out for it as he or she may have left the bag in a dumpster or dropped it after taking all the good stuff out. Thank you.

But even before we published it, West Seattleites showed their kindness. The second note we received from Nicole said:

I just wanted to give an update and a big thank you to all my neighbors in West Seattle. Within a couple hours of discovering the break-in I got a phone call from Lauren on California who had discovered my bag with my work items (including security badge) strewn about the alleyways and very kindly gathered everything up and returned them to me. Shortly afterwards I received an email from Travis at the Admiral Chase who notified me that someone had come across my credit cards on the street and dropped them off at the bank.

Although I still have a lot of loose ends to tie up, it is so comforting to know that the great people in this neighborhood keep an eye out for things that look amiss and are willing to take the time to help out.

From the WSB Forums – some other stolen items to watch out for, after a theft early Tuesday morning in The Junction – details are here; the owner is offering a reward.

Next – watch out for Shane‘s stolen motorcycle:

It was stolen from an apartment complex at 61st and Stevens. Let police know if you have any information.

And Vicki‘s stolen car MIGHT be here somewhere:

My dark green 1996 Subaru station wagon may have been spotted in West Seattle. It was stolen from Fremont last Thursday May 23 in broad daylight in a high traffic area (and it was locked!). The next day, someone thought they saw it in West Seattle, near the (West Seattle Athletic Club/ex-Allstar Fitness) gym, but by the time I could confirm details and the person went back to check, it was gone. It has 2 Obama bumper stickers on the back bumper plus one Obama decal on the back window. License plate AFV8113. Any information? Call me at 206 697-3982.

Last but not least, Pamela reports a sighting of what might be someone mentioned in our last roundup:

On Friday May 24th at 4:45 pm I was backing out of my driveway and saw a suspicious guy with a bike standing next my mailbox on Dawson Street near Puget Creek. He had a shaved head, military fatigues, a black hoodie, and was hauling a HUGE black backpack. He was on a silver bike. 5’8”, stocky, maybe 40-50 years old.

I waited to see what he was doing, and he bent over to check his chain like he was having a problem with his bike, then he rode off. I waited a while, then drove down 21st/Pigeon Pt. and found him cruising the mailboxes there… I drove down a bit farther to watch what he was doing but he disappeared into the opening in the fence of the University of Washington (?) green space on 21st with his bike. There’s no path there. It’s just woods and brush.

Sounds like the same guy that has been seen on surveillance cameras at 14th and Holden, and on 46th Street.

8 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: 35th/Thistle followup; reader reports"

  • Anonymous May 29, 2013 (4:22 pm)

    Shame to hear about this. My roomie just called me at work to say three African American youths teens/low 20’s just knocked on the front door of my home. After delaying answering (he really didn’t want too since it frequently solicitors) they knocked several more times. When he opened the door they asked for me by my first name (my full name is on the mailbox, but won’t be after tonight). When they were told I was not at home they immediately turned and one said to the other ‘oh it must be another white house’ and they all left. They went South down the street, then two of the three walked North again past the front of the house, then lingered on the sidewalk a few house North of me. Since I do not know of anyone meeting that description, they didn’t leave a name, and quickly left, I am very confident that my home was just cased. This was at 3:45pm one block due West of Sealth HS. I am only posting this comment as it may be useful to other readers who happen to be in my area. One of the guys was wearing a Chicago Bulls hat if that’s helpful in any way. Stay safe everyone. If you see something, say something!

  • The Farm May 30, 2013 (9:55 am)

    I hope those who said they were afraid of going to Westwood Village will read the follow up on The Thistle St story. The man trying to get into houses on 35th, made up the story about the robbery!
    Please don’t let stories that are meant to inform turn you into a victim that hides out in your home or one that spreads unnecessary gossip about another community. There are still more good people than bad…and bad happens everywhere…but then so does good!

    • WSB May 30, 2013 (10:14 am)

      Farm, sorry, I meant to link that back to this comment thread – but got distracted.
      .
      https://westseattleblog.com/2013/05/west-seattle-crime-watch-35ththistle-arrest-followup-reader-reports
      .
      What you said is basically the disclaimer I used to run with Crime Watch reports. Knowledge is power, the saying goes, and that’s the reason we publish this and many other kinds of information that we publish (development coming to your neighborhood, change coming to your school, etc.). I hated the kind of crime reporting we did in TV, where I spent 23 years, and didn’t expect to have any sort of focus on it when we embarked on WSB … until people started requesting it. And so, this is a different kind of crime reporting – why are there five police cars in my neighborhood, or, a car prowler hit our neighborhood, please remember not to leave stuff in your car, etc. It is NOT intended to leave the impression OMG, I can’t leave my house. – TR

  • Jennifer May 30, 2013 (11:47 am)

    This went down right outside my kitchen window, and yesterday my toddler and I walked to Westwood Village to do some shopping without a second thought. Random acts of crime can happen anywhere at anytime, doesn’t mean you should live in fear. I appreciate WSB for finding out what all the hoopla was about. Not understanding the situation would have been much more fright-inducing.

  • rico May 30, 2013 (12:46 pm)

    Given what is stated as fact that he tried to break into houses, why is there not a charge of attempted burglary? No wonder the bad guys are getting bolder and less concerned with consequences.

  • Amalia May 30, 2013 (12:50 pm)

    Reporting all crimes makes us safer! Crime is happening whether or not it gets reported, and it’s much better to know – it will make you more aware of suspicious behavior.

    I feel very lucky to have a resource like the blog that helps us all look out for one another.

  • G. Adams June 2, 2013 (3:47 pm)

    Last Sunday May 26th the contents of a Fed Ex package was stolen off my porch. It was 61st ave. SW alley side, a few blocks from Alki. The contents included two pictures of fleur d’ leis and a picture of a peacock ….art work from New Orleans. If anyone sees these items, please let the west seattle blog know so I can retrieve them. Thanks, G.A.

  • Jessica G June 12, 2013 (10:48 am)

    Our home was burglarized and truck stolen last Wednesday the 5th (31st Ave Sw). The truck has been recovered but still missing 2 jewelry boxes full of jewelry and 3 coach purses, 2 coach wallets, and some small electronics. Also, everyone should know there is a locksmith scam going on. Do not use Admiral Locksmith and Hardware! They quoted $160 over the phone and then $460 when they arrived. The technicians do not have uniforms or company cars.

Sorry, comment time is over.