West Seattle Crime Watch: 6-report roundup

Before we go into something resembling holiday-news mode (we’ve got some great stories to share during the day, plus we’ll be on standby for breaking news, 24-7-365 means 24-7-365), we’ve got 6 Crime Watch reports to share. First some good news: In the WSB Forums, The Velvet Bulldog reports progress in the search for the hit-run driver who caused her big trouble six months ago – here’s her update; here’s the original post. Next – Unsolved (so far) cases, starting with one we found via Twitter, putting out the word about another work truck stolen, this time in West Seattle: 1980 GMC 4-door green full-size pickup with black racks. “Two ‘kids’ drove it off,” according to the truck owner’s spouse. It’s been reported to police, so call 911 if you’ve seen it. More ahead, including uniforms missing after a car break-in at the beach – read on:

From Alki Point, a bullet-point car-break-in report:

Perps: 2 Men: 1 was approx 5’10”, lanky, military style haircut, dark hair, wearing dark clothing, smokes; the 2nd man we have no description of- he was the driver of the getaway car.

Getaway Car: red Suzuki Samurai (hardtop)

Location of car prowl: Alki Av & Beach (near lighthouse)

The perps did a smash and grab. Smashing my passenger car window and taking things from my front seat. Missing are my military uniforms (USMC), my civilian uniforms (I work for Northwest/ Delta Airlines), my CD’s as well as personal items inside my suitcase.

From a Pigeon Point couple:

A break in happened [last weekend] and 2 laptops were stolen. It is disturbing that it happened while we were at home asleep. We have reported the incident to police. Please add to your crime watch so others in Pigeon Point can be aware.

In the hills over south Alki, a neighborhood is watching out for a car prowler who struck last Saturday – one resident tells us, “He got into several cars over a two-block area and escaped with a wallet, a laptop and an iPod. This guy is scary because he did this early in the evening when many folks were out – plus he was seen with a knife.” One security camera in the area got an image of a possible suspect, who’s believed to have been casing the area at the time, and it’s been provided to police.

Another neighborhood wants to sound a general alarm, as Gene put it:

It seems that there have been several car thefts and home burglaries just Northwest of Alaska Junction in the past couple weeks. Our family has been victimized with a car theft (totaled) two weeks ago and just last night, we had unwanted visitors who seemed interested in checking out the occupancy status of our house and then wanted to gain entrance. I know several neighbors who have had minor burglaries from their homes and at least one other who has had their car stolen (and recovered).

Finally, David sent us a note today about a suspicious van:

Just wanted to let readers know a suspicious van stopped to peer in our driveway this afternoon, around 4:15 p.m. (38th Ave SW near water tower [map]) It appeared suspicious because we live on a very steep hill, near an intersection. Van remained there about 5 minutes peering into our yard. We know this because we happened to be in a vehicle in the driveway at the time; van driver obviously did not know this. As soon as we started the vehicle, van took off at a high rate of speed. Van headed North on 39th toward the junction. Notified Seattle police at the non-emergency number.

Van details
Red Aerostar van
lic plate 179–E
Earnhart 8 sticker on van
West Coast Chopper cross sticker

We’ve removed two digits from the plate David provided – we do not publish full identifying information (full plates, names, faces) if someone has not been charged or convicted, unless police put out a call for help (such as this story from earlier today) – but certainly four of six digits would be enough that you’d know if you saw the van. The police non-emergency number is 206-625-5011, and that’s toward the top of the WSB Crime Watch page, in case you ever need to find it fast.

8 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: 6-report roundup"

  • JanS November 26, 2009 (8:39 am)

    seems like there are a lot of opportunistic people out there looking for “easy money”. Please, please, please. IF you value it, DON’T leave it in your car. Not money, not iPods, not luggage, not CD’s, not laptops, not anything. Don’t give them a reason to break in and take it.

    I am so sorry that these thefts keep happening on our lovely peninsula.

  • toddinwestwood November 26, 2009 (9:21 am)

    IT gets worse around the holidays too. People are going to looking for stuff/presents left in a car. Dont even use a Target bag as a trash bag.( my mistake last year)

  • old timer November 26, 2009 (10:08 am)

    In these times, those stolen uniforms might be of interest to the FBI and Homeland Security.
    USMC and an airline – come on – that’s at least worth a thought or two.

    Happy T-Day!

  • Concerned Person November 26, 2009 (11:13 am)

    So sad, why do ‘bad people” think what others have is theirs for the taking … most people work and work hard for the things they have. It hurts to have things stolen that we worked so hard for … some are gifts from loved ones now gone … not replaceable.

    If your hungry and want to feed your family, don’t have a real job … go to the food bank, then I and others will have compassion for you … otherwise … I (we) wish you no good fortune and a long prison sentence!

  • kg November 26, 2009 (11:29 am)

    What type of uniforms were taken? Cammy’s? Desert or Woodland? Dress Blues? Was any field gear taken? Even if they rip the name tapes off they should be recoverable if they were properly marked. I’ll keep my eye out on craigslist.
    SF

  • MJ November 28, 2009 (8:14 am)

    There has been a lot of action on California AV SW…last night right across from the Thriftway at Fauntleroy and California there was 9 police cars with flashing lights…just after midnight. this happened a little less than a week ago as well. Does anyone know what is going on?

  • WSB November 28, 2009 (10:21 am)

    As best I could tell from the scanner last night, some kind of assault. One person went to the hospital. One person who passed by the scene saw someone in cuffs. But I may not be able to verify facts until Monday. Police reports are not available real-time and the fire 911 log just called it a “medic response.” Otherwise the scanner was dominated by activity related to a couple of more serious cases elsewhere in the city (two shootings including a deadly one on First Hill).
    .
    I suspect the other call to which you refer was one we checked out in person last weekend, which involved someone who got thrown out of an establishment in the area after “becoming belligerent,” as police put it, enough so that they had to be called.
    .
    TR

  • Babydoll November 28, 2009 (3:58 pm)

    Last night I was sleeping sound when I heard a lady screaming I looked outside to see alot of police officers a medic one and a fire engine I saw them leaned over by something or someone but I couldn’t tell what was happening as I layed down trying to sleep again due to the flashing lights I got back up and this time noticed a yellow strip had been placed where the people were gathered so now I wonder why this didn’t make it on the news something happened and no one knows what. But the police what about the community should we feel this was just another out of control bar brawl or did someone get hurt really bad we are the resident of the neighborhood and we have the right to know if this is a safe enviroment or has this became a new ghetto.

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