West Seattle Crime Watch: Casing alert

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, from “a resident on 40th between Alaska and Oregon” (map): The note begins, “Just wanted to let the community know about a guy who was casing our house today …” Here’s the rest, including a precise description of the person:

At 8:30 am he knocked a friendly sounding solid knock and then another one as I climbed out of bed. I came to the door and I saw through the stained glass that he seemed to be listening closely for any noise and when I said hello it surprised him. He then went on to tell me that he was interested in the boat we had in the back and something about his friend etc. and wanted to know if it was for sale, he wanted to know my name and if I was going to be home later on in the day. I told him to hold on while I looked for a pen and paper for him to write on, because we actually were interested in selling it. I was still very groggy at this point and was believing this guy’s story so far, but had enough sense to let him know that I WILL be here and thank God I didn’t tell him my name.

It took me a while to find a piece of paper and then I tried to slip it under the door but the door crack wasn’t wide enough. At this point I told him to go around to the side door so I could slide it under, then I realized how dumb I was to direct him to the side of my house. When I saw him go around he picked up my gardening shoes I had on the stair and tossed them onto the grass, at this point that freaked me out even more so I knocked on the window, as he was standing on the first stair, looked at his face and said go. I got good look at him and his face, here’s the description. Oh and yes I called it in.

Here’s what he looked like: scraggly white guy in his late 30’s/early 40’s, grayish brown hair that was kind of long on top and shorter around the sides, he had really small, deeply set blue eyes, was wearing jeans and a jean jacket and he was pretty tall and lanky about (5’9/6′), skinny and he was smoking profusely.

Keep an eye out for your neighbors and lock your windows and doors!!

changingtimes August 13, 2008 (12:06 pm)

scary!!! im in the same neighborhood! ill keep a look out!!! too bad its 80 degrees outside!!! all my windows and doors are open!!!

Rhonda Porter August 13, 2008 (12:13 pm)

when the police came by our Seattle Night Out, they warned us about how warm weather will bring out people looking for an open window. In fact, they said that criminals are sneaking around the backs of homes when they see someone gardening in the front yard assuming that it’s safe to leave the back side of the house open…they snatch what ever they can quickly (like a purse) and run.

B August 13, 2008 (12:14 pm)

That’s our neighborhood too. I know exactly where he was at. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you see him again.

ericak August 13, 2008 (12:28 pm)

TR – Thank you for such timely info! I just emailed the entire neighborhood so they are on the lookout.

B August 13, 2008 (12:30 pm)

You know what…now that I think about it I saw him yesterday as well. But he had a black backpack (the chain smoking triggered the memory.)

I saw him in the morning down near our house near the Alaska side. I literally got out of my car and went back to my house to make sure things were locked up because I didn’t like the way he looked. But I did make eye contact with him so he knew people were watching. That means he’s walking down the alley and making a loop around the block. That’s no good at all.

JH August 13, 2008 (12:55 pm)

It’s 80 degrees out? And I’m stuck at work?

paul August 13, 2008 (12:57 pm)

I drive all over west seattle every day for work, and I cannot count the amount of windows, doors, garage doors that are open and there is no sign of anyone home. I know its hot, and most people don’t have ac, but you are just waiting for someone to hop in and out, and it only takes about 90 seconds. My house is locked tight, even on the hot days. I put my pets in a small room with a small window ac on to keep them happy.

coffee geek August 13, 2008 (2:00 pm)

[sarcasm] “White guy”. How dare you describe this Caucasian gentleman in such crude terms? Perhaps “salmon crayola”, “pink-ish”, or “pasty” would be more sensitive choices. Please, next time THINK before broadcasting your racial insensitivity. [/sarcasm]

Christopher Boffoli August 13, 2008 (2:08 pm)

Has anyone in this same neighborhood seen the guy with white hair and the camera? I’ve seen him twice in the alley between 40th and 41st, the block between Oregon and Alaska. He’s probably in his early 60’s. White guy, whitish hair, mustache. I’ve noticed him taking pictures out in the alley one two separate weeks. As a photographer, I’m not instantly suspicious of people who take pictures. But there is something about this guy and the fact he’s taking pictures of unremarkable townhouses that makes me wonder what he’s up to.

B August 13, 2008 (2:28 pm)

lol…crime is colorblind my friend! :)

W August 13, 2008 (2:31 pm)

We live in the alleyway along there and last night there was someone wandering around out back chain smoking – could be the same guy on the prowl! That’s creepy.

mk August 13, 2008 (2:44 pm)

I think I saw the same guy this morning on California, it looks as though he is homeless, walking around with a backpack and a wagon. He was wearing tan color pants and a vest. It is great that everyone is aware!

rjb August 13, 2008 (2:44 pm)

“too bad its 80 degrees outside!!! all my windows and doors are open!!!”
.
I really really hope you wrote this from your home and not from work.

changingtimes August 13, 2008 (3:36 pm)

yes! at home rjb! this comment was in reference to:
“Keep an eye out for your neighbors and lock your windows and doors”
….creepy that you want to know

rjb August 13, 2008 (4:08 pm)

Creepy? Uh, no, just a lot of people are at work who post here. And hearing that all your windows are wide open in this day and age made me think what a prime target for this guy you were. But you aren’t. The end.

changingtimes August 13, 2008 (4:30 pm)

i was just yanking your chain! no hard feelings!! i think the heat is getting to me!!!

did you guys see on komo you can now post and read other peoples comments on up2date news?? im a news junkie so it is like heaven for me :)

Kelly August 13, 2008 (5:43 pm)

I think that I have seen the man that Christopher saw with the camera. It was a few weeks ago and he was with a woman and they were taking pictures in our neighborhood and it kind of creeped me out. I couldn’t figure out why they were taking pictures of people’s fences, houses, etc. Weird. I am around 49th and Graham. I think I saw them walking around a few days ago, too, but they weren’t taking pictures then.

Burton August 13, 2008 (6:28 pm)

I’ve love for this person to come to my house while I’m polishing my gun.

JH August 13, 2008 (9:49 pm)

Hey Burton, does your gun say cheese?

baba nulu August 13, 2008 (10:03 pm)

Chain smoking? Is not that when one lights another cigarette from the one they were just smoking? WSB witness must have watched the smoker for some time to see him repeatedly light up to accurately call him a chain smoker. (edited for reference to another commenter) If someone is doing something illegal or suspicious, call 911. WSB should refrain from paranoid postings if they want to be a legitimate news source and not just the blog they claim they are not.

WSB August 13, 2008 (10:19 pm)

Hi, Baba. We report news in many different ways and part of it is sharing some of the alerts and reports that are sent in by community members. We don’t publish them all – on occasion, there are some that are better suited as forum posts, and we promptly answer those who took the time to e-mail us, or sometimes we handle the inquiry/report in another way. Police verify that casing is a problem; I respectfully disagree that sharing information like this is “paranoid.” As for legitimacy, the volume of stories we cover here that aren’t covered anywhere else speaks for itself. (Just back from the second straight night of community meetings at which I was the only reporter in attendance, and that’s not because the meetings didn’t matter.) But if and when people determine that what we report is of no value, they’ll vote with their feet, their mice, their browser bar. We went through almost two weeks with no Crime Watch reports; I assume that’s because things were nice and quiet – now we’ve got a spate of them (and I have three more to publish as soon as I finish this reply to your comment) – goes in cycles — TR

Ian August 14, 2008 (7:09 am)

I live on 36th between Dawson and Brandon. This sounds like a guy I found in my fenced back yard. It was about 7pm on Monday and the only reason I looked out is because my dog was barking. When I came out he seemed startled and when I asked what he was doing he asked if he could have some metal I had in the alley behind my house. I told him no and he left without saying anything. He was driving a red 80’s Chevy or GMC truck that he parked in my alley and there was a second person in the truck. It not only made me nervous that he came in my yard, but that the steel he asked for was not visible unless he walked behind my truck I had parked next to my garage. I didn’t know if I should report it and I decided not to. Now I’m second guessing my decision.

baba nulu August 14, 2008 (9:10 am)

Good day WSB- WSB edited my post criticizing a WSB credited “contributing photographer”. WSB’s denial of my criticism as that “of another commenter” is a bit hazy as the photographer seems to be connected to WSB and regularly receives photo credits with his name and web site. Yes he was “commenting”, but to eliminate my criticism of a “newsphotojournalist” for not doing his job, that is to document what he sees, is wrong. One photo of the “White guy, whitish hair, mustache.” might have solved the mystery rather than spread concern and fear to WSB readers. It is somewhat troubling that WSB allows credited contributors to cross over as “commentors” at their convenience or whim. Some of the posts directly above mine also reference other commentors. But they have not been edited. My post contained no profanity nor was it a personal attack, as so often seen in historic WSB posts.

WP August 14, 2008 (10:29 am)

I am a real estate appraiser, and I take pictures of homes in many different neighborhoods all day. I go into alleys, take pictures of the fronts, sides, and backs of homes. Many times I see people wondering what I am doing, but they rarely ask. The few times they do ask, I will tell them I am an appraiser, that the house has recently sold, and I am using it as a comparable sale of a nearby, similar house. I show them my business license, and give them a business card.

If someone looks suspicious, ask them what they are doing!! If they are for real, they will have a business license and a business card with them. If you don’t want to confront them, Call The Police! Many, many times I have had the police stop me, and I have no problem with explaining what I am doing.

Burglers know few people will confront them, so they keep burglarizing homes, and they get away with it time and time again.

p.s. If you have recently purchased a house, expect appraisers to drive by, stop, and take pictures of your new house for at least the first 6 months, often up to a year. They are using your recent purchase as a comparable sale for a nearby refinance or another sale nearby.

bonnie August 14, 2008 (11:08 am)

I’m just glad that when I’m not home my 60 pound pitbull “answers” the front window!
I pity the fool that actually tries to get in!!

mary August 14, 2008 (6:27 pm)

This sounds like a guy I saw also, walking south on 37th Ave SW, between Edmunds and Dawson. In fact, I have seen him a couple of times in the area. Best to keep a good eye out!

Ian August 14, 2008 (7:40 pm)

So it turns out my neighbor had a ladder and a few other items stolen out of his back yard. (36th between Dawson and Brandon) I really wish I had called the police now. If I see them again I definitely will call this time. Please do the same if you see them.

Amanda August 17, 2008 (4:03 pm)

I think we just saw this same guy a minute ago, 37th between Dakota and Andover. He went up to several neighbors houses looking in the windows, and when I was (pointedly) staring at him, he asked a random question about if a neighbor had a black and white dog. He had a red Mazda pickup truck loaded with things like bikes, lawnmowers, etc. The description I’ve seen so far fits – tall, skinny, scraggly, longish hair, smoking. Wish I would have gotten the license plate…

bolo September 23, 2008 (10:48 pm)

Just saw this guy (fit your last description there to a T Amanda) in his loaded red Mazda pickup today at the Independent Metals Recycling down by the transfer station. http://www.independentmetals.com/

He was causing a ruckus there using the f-word at the owners. They clearly didn’t like him there but bought his stuff anyway. When I asked them why, they told me they had to; nothing showed up on his record (they check ID there each transaction). They thought he was more of a “fresh” meth abuser because he did not yet have sores on his face nor too many missing teeth.

Sorry, comment time is over.