West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Stolen car FINALLY found

| Crime | West Seattle news

Back on May 20, we published a Crime Watch report from Robin, whose car was stolen just weeks after she arrived in West Seattle. All this time later, she says, it’s finally turned up:

For what it’s worth, I thought I’d follow up with news that my car that was stolen on 5/14 from in front of my house on 39th and Morgan [map] was found last Thursday. SPD left me a voicemail with the address where it was “found.” Of course, 4 months and an insurance claim later, the car no longer belongs to me. However, I thought I’d check to see if any of my belongings were still there. Upon arrival (1.5 miles from my house — just out of the radius I had personally searched for it), the car was in perfect condition, albeit dirty, and it was clear that it had been sitting there for months. Only a few items were taken, but the thieves left a pair of expensive sunglasses, a booklet of CDs, an FM transmitter, and several other easily sell-able items. Should I want to pass any message along to WSB readers, it would be to not be afraid to report abandoned vehicles! They might actually be helping someone by doing so.

The city in fact has an Abandoned Car Hotline: 206-684-8763.

Sasquatch September 15, 2009 (12:18 pm)

Hi Robin, glad you got some of your stuff back. I had a similar experience a few years ago. The body of the car was fine and no damage to the ignition. But…the engine light went on after driving it a few miles and the dealership said it was toast. So you might be lucky it’s no longer yours. So glad I got an alarm on my next car that kills the ignition if it’s driven while activated. Before the alarm I had 2 Subarus stolen multiple times and even once with “The Club” on the steering wheel. Geesh!

brandon September 15, 2009 (12:21 pm)

We’ve been reporting an abandoned car on our street for the past week with no results. The op says it takes up to 10 days for parking enforcement to check it out.
We saw the drivers that night two weeks ago park, walk around, up and down another block when they parked it. We think they got too drunk and forgot where they left it.

Dale September 15, 2009 (2:02 pm)

I wonder how they took your car? The only way you can take your vehicle is with a key (either from yourself or household or dealer–a shaved key will not work for your year, make and model car. Your car needs a coded key to operate the electronic fuel pump, no key, no movement.

As a prior Fire & Theft investigator of stolen cars the last method, although not as likely is by towing it.

M. September 15, 2009 (2:51 pm)

um hotwired dale?

marty September 15, 2009 (3:46 pm)

Here is the link to the SPD website to report vehicles parked over 72 hours. I have used it and get results within 24 hours.

http://www.seattle.gov/police/forms/Abandoned_Vehicles.htm

Diana September 15, 2009 (4:26 pm)

Marty’s right on. Digital pictures work well too and get fast action if you send them to our precinct Attn: Parking enforcement. This also works well for those who are abusing public streets by parking RV’s and boats for extended periods of time.

Dale September 15, 2009 (5:13 pm)

Hotwired or that phrase won’t work-might start it for a second or two–but the coded key is what gives the fuel pump the message to work. Best movement without a key was across a parking lot–maybe 60 feet. Not a mile and a half!

JayDee September 15, 2009 (7:24 pm)

Well, I wasn’t proud of the fact I had a car stolen at my house, at night, and unlocked. I know, dumb.
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And what good is the valet key if it isn’t in the car? Hidden mind you, but findable. Of course, I was outdone by the thieves who ran the car into the back end of the box truck they used to cart it off–recognizable bits all over the street.
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Turns out me and my buddy (he with the elephant’s memory) reminded me we saw a box truck run down the street the night before, but not proceed as quickly around the turn at the bottom…And the nice sinking feeling the next AM when I was asked “Did you park the car in the garage last night?”
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I learned my lesson and have not repeated it. Good luck to Robin with the new car.

LAP September 15, 2009 (8:39 pm)

I want to chime in to encourage people to report cars that you do not recognize that get ‘ranched’ or abandoned on your street. Sometimes this is how stolen cars are found…and wouldn’t you hope that someone would help you find YOUR car? It’s a helpless feeling to have your car stolen (or burgled). Good people of the world unite and rid the world of the people with bad behavior and no manners or sense of right and wrong. Happy your mystery is solved….hope you still like WS, Robin.

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