Crime Watch reader report: “Brazen mail thief”

Out of the WSB inbox from Lisa:

I just wanted to report witnessing a very brazen mail thief in West Seattle; we are on 42nd Ave. SW between Dawson & Hudson (just south of the Alaska Junction). On Monday, Sept. 22nd around 11 am we looked out the window to see a young man walking up to our neighbor’s door. Our dogs barked and he appeared to hesitate and walk back towards the gate, then after a few moments returned to the door. We then saw him leave the yard and cross the street. He walked a few doors down, then sat down and proceeded to open the outgoing mail he had taken from our neighbor’s mail slot. Apparently he didn’t find anything good because he dropped the mail on the ground and eventually made his way down the street. We called police and filed a report, including a description: white male, early 20’s, around 5’8” medium build, dressed like a normal young kid (black Easy Street Records t-shirt, white baseball cap, black backpack, jeans). Unfortunately, there were much more tragic things occurring yesterday, and the police were not able to respond until an hour or so later.

Our street does not have mailboxes, all of the houses use mail slots, so it was especially bold of this thief to walk all the way up to the house in full daylight to steal the outgoing mail, not to mention examining his loot just across the street. Either bold or dumb, we’re not sure which. We just wanted to send out a heads up in case our neighbors are in the habit of using their mail slots for outgoing mail. Going forward we will most likely be dropping ours at the Post Office.

Here’s the official US Postal Service advice on preventing mail theft. (That link can be found anytime in the Crime Watch page‘s resources section.)

13 Replies to "Crime Watch reader report: "Brazen mail thief""

  • JimmyG September 24, 2008 (9:42 am)

    Nobody should leave outgoing mail at their house for the carrier to pick up, this isn’t Mayberry nor the 1950s.
    It’s too tempting an invitation to steal.

  • Robert2715 September 24, 2008 (9:56 am)

    Agree with JimmyG-
    Seems like most West Seattle neighborhoods have a curb mailbox every couple of blocks – use it.

  • Brandon September 24, 2008 (9:59 am)

    Yes Jimmy, wouldn’t it be nice to trust our fellow humans again? More density, less nice people!
    That said, I hope all the people who have posted recently in the 41st/42nd $ Dawnson/Hudson area do notify their local enforcement about these observations. It seems like a lot of trouble recently going around in that area ie; mail theft, alley prowlers, metal thefts, etc. The police need to know the trouble spots to beef up patrols.

  • LMA September 24, 2008 (10:18 am)

    Also remember it is cold out in the morning and people go and turn on there cars to heat them up. there are thefts out there waiting for a victim to do this , so they can take your car. This happened to me when my son was almost a year old , boy I remember ever fall about this I had no car single mom and walked me son to his sitter in the rain , lucky for us the car was found about a mouth later , there is also a fine that you will get for living your car running a double whammy. So heads up to those people that leave there car running in there drive way the thieves have no sham

  • MattDurhamPhotography.com September 24, 2008 (10:34 am)

    The young male, described in the posting, came to my door on 42nd Ave SW soliciting magazines. He appeared to be between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. I kindly engaged him, speculating he was being exploited by a predatory employer. When I asked his age he protectively blurted “21”.
    The boy stated he only makes his money on commission.
    In an attempted to educate the young boy I told him to find a legitimate store or company he believes in and begin working for an hourly wage where he is guaranteed to get paid for the hours worked.
    He appeared receptive and was very considerate.
    Nobody should be knocking on our doors after dark and the young should be protected from predatory employers.
    A rule people should steadfastly adhere to is to never purchase or give out information to door-to-door or telephone solicitors.
    Call 911 if you suspect something hinky; you may not only be protecting yourself but stopping the exploitation of children.

    It is illegal for teens under 15 to be working after 7pm on school nights.
    For more information on Washington State Law pertaining to “Teen” work rights go to:
    http://www.lni.wa.gov/workplacerights/teenworkers/

  • David September 24, 2008 (11:34 am)

    I’ve had my mail stolen this past year; an eye witness reported the theft. A few tips:

    Keep very accurate notes
    Contact Seattle Police immediately
    Prepare an information list w/ contact and case detail to provide to officers.
    Get the Incident number and exact names/#’s of officers.
    Contact UPIS to report theft; and record confirmation number.
    Mail in complaint form to UPIS (must use the Chicago office)
    You will then be contacted by the Local UPIS office: provide them w/ all details and incident number.
    Place a fraud alert on credit file.
    Wait a few weeks and check your credit report.
    Follow-up within 2 weeks w/ Seattle Police
    And, obviously, install a secure mail box; and, if you ever go out of town, place a mail hold on all deliveries until you return.

  • Shari September 24, 2008 (12:07 pm)

    What a coincidence…Tuesday morning we watched a young male, similar decription (white male, mid 30’s, blue jeans, dark windbreaker, white cap), taking apart (smashing on the sidewalk) some kind of small electronic device, along with a coil (copper?) of some kind of cable. These items appeared to be stolen. We have seen this person in the neighborhood (41st & Raymond) and know he’s up to no good. So I called the police non-emergency number. About 15 minutes later 3 patrol cars showed up, questioned him, searched his backpack, and put him in the back of the patrol car. Keep up the crime watch!!!

  • WSratsinacage September 24, 2008 (1:53 pm)

    Busted! I love it.

  • perry September 24, 2008 (3:27 pm)

    Something for all to think about is you can go to the big 3 and have your credit frozen. That is they wont issue new credit so no one can open a new credit card, loan, phone line, cell phone etc…

    Course when you do need to apply for new credit you have to take some steps to unfreeze them but I don’t plan to get anything anytime soon so was a good piece of mind for me.

  • charles September 24, 2008 (6:49 pm)

    if they stold my mail in the last two weeks. 99% of it was junk. now that i,m old, they want me into a home, fix my ears, and take care of my money,and have me cremated. none of it free

  • fiz September 24, 2008 (8:25 pm)

    Looks like they have you covered, Charles;)

  • cashmere September 24, 2008 (9:35 pm)

    someone came to my door today trying to sell magazines for “credits” towards classes for underpriviledged young adults to take classes in business, speaking, etc….what???? weird

  • Tara September 28, 2008 (10:14 pm)

    Don’t worry Charles. I also get junk mail from the Neptune Society for cremation and also Triple AAA and retirement seminars in the mail all the time, and I am only 37! they have me covered also!

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