West Seattle Crime Watch: 5 notes, from shots to thefts

Two of these 5 incidents happened early this morning. First, in the Westcrest Park area, multiple police units answered a call of a disturbance, followed minutes later by a report that five gunshots were heard. No report of anyone having actually been shot, but police pulled over a car at 8th/Trenton (map) and reported finding a shotgun in possession of one of the passengers. Second incident just happened – police raced to an assault report in the 2800 block of Alki (map), with a suspect reportedly running away, but found an “uncooperative victim,” and the call was canceled (but in case you saw/heard all those officers, that’s what it was about). Now, to three reports received earlier, from purported solicitors using a ruse to get into a man’s apartment and steal from him, to a bike theft and stereo theft – read on:

From Kim in North Admiral:

I live in an apartment building … in North Admiral. (Thursday) an elderly tenant in my building was robbed mid-day by some so-called solicitors. There were 4 African American males that approached this gentleman in the parking lot, offering to detail his car, claiming to be a mobile detail service.

About halfway through cleaning his car, the 4 guys asked for payment before they would finish cleaning his car. The 4 guys followed the older gentleman into his apartment, where one of them distracted him at a table while the other 3 robbed the other rooms of his apartment. They took bank information, stock papers?and bonds, check books, and anything they could get their hands on. Please pass this information on to anyone who lives in the North Admiral area of West Seattle. Again it was 4 African American males, 20-30 years old, driving a tan SUV. The police have been notified but I just wanted to pass this on so that no one else gets caught in this scam and hopefully someone will catch these guys.

From Jason in Pigeon Point:

My Purple REFLEX Mountain Bike was stolen off of my porch at 4003 22nd Ave SW (map) last Thursday, July 23 in the evening between 8pm and 11:30pm while the lights in my house were on and my car was in the driveway. Whoever took it had to have thought possibly there was someone home. It seemed like a very bold theft. Of course the loss of this precious commuter and past time is devastating, but it also had a crucial trail-a-bike trailer hitch on the bike seat post for my son’s trailer. It was a purple REFLEX mountain bike, with a split seat, chrome shim with black square hitch on the seat post, and had a big tire on the front and a smaller one on the back. There was a coil chain lock on the handlebars.

We also had a car in the driveway at the same address on Thursday, July 16th in which a person broke in the car without damaging it and stole an empty wallet.

And from William in The Junction:

This is my first time reporting something, unfortunately someone decided to liberate the car stereo from my vehicle on the 4400 block of 40th Avenue SW last night, Thursday July 30th, 2009. I will miss that piece of equipment, I had so much fun rocking out with it. Just a reminder to all me neighbors, lock it up and see you next Tuesday.

That of course means Night Out, and registration for your close-the-street block party is now open till first thing Monday morning – register online here (scroll down).

10 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: 5 notes, from shots to thefts"

  • Sarah August 1, 2009 (3:23 pm)

    Just had a young man come to my door asking if I wanted any meat or chicken – very good and cheaper than Safeway he said. When I said no thank you he politely said no problem and walked away. A white truck with Home Meat Delivery drove up and he got in. Is this legit? Anyone heard of it? I live in Admiral area close to Hiawatha.

  • Dave August 1, 2009 (5:27 pm)

    Saw the same in the Admiral B of A parking lot about 3 months ago, looked legit but anyone trolling for customers reminds me of the guys who drove around selling “cheap” speakers when I was in college.

  • Kim August 1, 2009 (8:10 pm)

    I live a block off Delridge and last night I noticed a flat tire on my car. I went out to change it this morning and it was slashed. The good folks at Courtesy Tire on California confirmed my suspicions. I filed a police report, but there isn’t much they can do without any evidence (although they did respond to my non emergency within 20 minutes which is great). This is the first time I’ve had an incident in the 3 years I’ve lived in West Seattle. My neighbors are great and we all watch out for each other (my boyfriend chased off some teenagers who were looking into my neighbor’s windows a few weeks ago), but I guess we can’t catch everything.

  • Barbara Armo August 1, 2009 (11:50 pm)

    I recently saw an item on the news, but can’t recall if it was local. Don’t think so. The thief was in a supermarket stuffing meat into his clothing, then re-selling it to restaurants. This was his regular deal until he got caught, and the restaurant owners HAD to know he was shady. EEEEW!I wonder if the guy in West Seattle with accompanying truck had a web site or anything to back him up. Hey, who wouldn’t like home delivery of meat IF it were verifyably cheap and clean in all respects?

  • Barbara August 1, 2009 (11:51 pm)

    I recently saw an item on the news, but can’t recall if it was local. Don’t think so. The thief was in a supermarket stuffing meat into his clothing, then re-selling it to restaurants. This was his regular deal until he got caught, and the restaurant owners HAD to know he was shady. EEEEW! I wonder if the guy in West Seattle with accompanying truck had a web site or anything to back him up. Hey, who wouldn’t like home delivery of meat IF it were verifyably cheap and clean in all respects?

  • Alex August 2, 2009 (7:58 am)

    We’re up at about California & Holton.
    Past 2 nights – firecrackers (we think) at around 11pm.
    Early Sun morning – something different – 3 shots, 12:49. Would this be the same as the WestCrest park shots? What should one do in this case? I didn’t want to call 911 – as we had no idea where the shots were coming from – one of the 3 sounded relatively lose (a couple of blocks away, maybe) – but we really couldn’t tell.

  • WSB August 2, 2009 (8:06 am)

    We were up for that one, and we’re just a bit south. Sounded pretty clearly like fireworks to me. But if you ever think it’s gunshots, don’t hesitate to call 911. The police say repeatedly they would rather get a call than not. Re-reviewing the 911 fire/medic log from overnight, it confirms nobody GOT shot, for what it’s worth. (Westcrest Park was SATURDAY morning, BTW.) – TR

  • Virginia August 3, 2009 (2:39 pm)

    Just had a door to door solicitor named Andre trying to peddle magazines and earn points etc. He spoke very fast and was difficult to understand as a result. This was in the 5400 block on 37th SW. He had no indication of a license from the city for sales. Take caution, could be that he is checking to see if anyone is home.

  • Naturally August 3, 2009 (3:48 pm)

    From the legit canvasser perspective…I have been a door-to-door canvasser. You can tell if you listen to them whether they are passionate about the subject matter they articulate. Use your judgment. Giving at the door could mean that the neighborhood will benefit from focus and activities in the area. It is a great way to get locals involved and investing in their communities. It can sway voters, it can effect change, it can give info. The canvass is a travelling lobbyist. It is so effective that although canvassers often do receive stipend level compensation, it is a non-profit venture overall. Organizations do it for the longterm benefit and to agitate dialogue on their issue. Next time you have a canvasser at your door, listen to the message. If you like the message and would like to subsidize the amplification of that message then give a little money and that will happen.
    Religious evangelicals raise money at church on Sunday.
    Enviro and Social cause evangelicals take it to the community. And it gets recycled in the community or dedicated to its stated purpose. It’s up to you, really!
    Sorry there are rude people out there. The magazine selling seems exploitative of its workers. I’d refer those kids to Craigslist job postings to try their hand at a cause they can believe in. Canvassers with a cause are slightly better vetted, but perhaps not better paid. Still, there is opportunity for advancement, of the mind or career!

  • Ben H. McIndoe August 22, 2009 (9:08 am)

    The guys are totally legitimate and the product is excellent. My wife and I bought $350 worth of steaks and chicken and have only had one meal we did not love.
    It is a company distributing Iowa Steaks, much like Omaha Steak Company. They are located in Tacoma.

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