West Seattle Crime Watch: 1 car hit again; 1 car found

Two reports to share (which we were about to publish very early this morning when we got sidetracked by the Me-Kwa-Mooks shooting and numerous brush fires): First, one received by phone – a Gatewood resident (40th/Holly; map) says the Ford Expedition stolen from outside her house a month ago — then found a few days later — was broken into early Saturday. Method — smashed window. Stolen — a phone. Now, the second report: A stolen car reported here about two weeks ago has been found. Jen says, “My Canadian friend’s car that was stolen from 37th and Findlay [map] on 6/24 was found (Saturday) just a few blocks away. The ignition is wrecked and the contents are gone, but the car otherwise appears to be fine. Just wanted to follow up with a somewhat happy ending.” We also just heard from the area Block Watch leaders, who forwarded another neighbor’s e-mail including this observation about that: “This is a new twist on local car prowls; the car was broken into, hot wired, driven a few blocks to a place where the internal contents could be pulled out quickly, and the thieves leave the car behind!”

Sue July 5, 2009 (5:34 pm)

My husband just went outside to ride his bike to an appointment and discovered that someone stole his bike seat and post! (The bike is chained so that they can’t get it nor the tires, but obviously the seat wasn’t tied down.) Nothing else seems to be missing in the yard, and I guess I should be grateful the car is still there and intact.

LAP July 5, 2009 (5:38 pm)

This is why it is important for people to be aware of what is ‘normal’ in their neighborhood and call in (or do it on the internet) and report cars that just show up and do not move in 72 hours..this will help solve a lot of stolen car cases, folks! Think about if it was your car that was stolen and might be dumped just a few blocks away. Wouldn’t you like it found as soon as possible?

shell July 5, 2009 (6:22 pm)

I’m glad people put these postings up. I leave my car unlocked all the time. I just got into the blog yesterday because a friend told me how incredible it was – thank you for putting this to my attention. I would hate to have my window smashed in. I am sorry for the people who have had that done….

K July 5, 2009 (7:04 pm)

Is that the red honda? Was it found on 36th? I called the cops about that a week ago, but it hadn’t moved after that so I assumed it wasn’t the car they were looking for. When I called the officer didn’t say one way or the other, but you don’t see alberta plates very often.

OP July 5, 2009 (7:06 pm)

Here’s an idea: Clean out your car of any valuables—phones, CDs, iPods, etc. Remove the temptation, yada, yada, yada….Amazing how this little bit of preemption fails some folks…

WSB July 5, 2009 (7:14 pm)

K, I do believe that’s the one.

M. July 5, 2009 (9:35 pm)

I walked past 2 cars today in the Fairmont Park area that had their windows down. I thought it was pretty ballsy. But some people just dont realize whats going on around here. Just got to watch out for not just your own things, but for your neighbors too i guess.

Sue July 6, 2009 (6:36 am)

OP, I agree – almost every time we hear about a car break-in, we hear about a bag being stolen, or CDs or something like that. A thief doesn’t know that the bag is full of garbage or your dirty laundry, or the CD case is empty. If it looks like it might be worth their time and quick to grab, it’s going to increase your chances of being broken into. My husband has always thought I was overreacting about not leaving *anything* in the car.

K July 6, 2009 (7:16 am)

thanks, WSB. :) Glad to know it was found, in any case!

Frank July 6, 2009 (7:16 am)

One way to protect yourself against car theft is to buy “The Club” – Seattle Neighborhood Group sells it for $20 here http://www.sngi.org/theclub.html.

Tell your friends, and lets be watchful out there.

brandon July 6, 2009 (9:15 am)

Doesn’t this smell of a need for a sting? Maybe a bait car. Who are all these people roaming around at night betweeen 12-6 that can’t be observed and caught.

37Ray July 9, 2009 (2:23 pm)

The club is not much of a deterrent actually, except maybe for random opportunist thief who has no tools on him. The club is often defeated by “prepared” crooks by simply cutting through the steering wheel with a hacksaw blade and yanking it off…

37Ray July 9, 2009 (4:17 pm)

Forgot to mention, one thing that can be done, short of buying a car alarm (which is wise, and have a competent installation done, so they dont just reach under the dash and disconnect it), is to simply install (if your car has an electric fuel pump) a hidden “kill switch” in line. Hide it well, simple as turning off a light bulb, with no fuel that car is not going anywhere unless they brought a tow truck…

37Ray July 9, 2009 (5:12 pm)

BTW, sorry for rambling, ask me how I know all this, I used to live in Georgetown……

Colin F Young July 14, 2009 (9:35 pm)

Hey I have posting daily on Craigslist about my lime green neon that was stolen from my junkyard here in Kitsap County. That was back in January of this year. It’s a 1995 4 doors and the very rare feature is it has factory luggage racks. If you see it, call the cops. Look for my postings every day on Craigslist.

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