2 Crime Watch cases: West Seattle Cellars break-in; bike stolen

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports. First – a tough start to the year for West Seattle Cellars, and this didn’t make it any better: They’re cleaning up this afternoon after an overnight break-in, less than a month after store co-proprietor Bear Silverstein was laid to rest. After receiving tips via phone and e-mail (thanks), we just went to the shop (map) to find out about the reported burglary. Tom DiStefano tells us somebody broke through the glass door overnight, cut themselves in the process – police are getting DNA samples from the blood – and upended the cash register, but it was empty. In the end, he says, all the burglar(s) made off with was, he says, “a couple bottles of French wine.” Tom stresses that they’re OPEN for business, all’s well, you’ll just have to go in the side door while they’re cleaning up. Now, the second case: You’re asked to be on the lookout for this stolen bicycle:

Via Facebook, Gini tells us:

We live in the 11400 block of Marine View Dr SW [map] … The 50’s vintage bike was red, white and blue and had a metal basket with a white primrose planted in a clay pot. (which they smashed on the driveway) The bike had sat there at our gate for 3 years and brought joy to me everyday. Walkers would stop and take pictures and folks were always telling us how much they liked it…

She says it was stolen sometime this morning. Meantime, we’ll mention it again: If you have concerns/questions about local crime and safety issues, TONIGHT is the monthly meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, a citizen-volunteer-led group but always attended by local police who answer questions as well as updating the latest cases and trends, 7 pm, meeting room at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster; there’s parking on the SW side of the building, enter off Webster).

15 Replies to "2 Crime Watch cases: West Seattle Cellars break-in; bike stolen"

  • Jeff February 16, 2010 (3:17 pm)

    Oh wow I knew exactly where the bike was as soon as I saw the picture, didn’t even need the address. It seems like people just can’t have nice things without others becoming jealous and destructive.

  • d-san February 16, 2010 (3:19 pm)

    Boooooo! Thieves SUCK! You hang in there West Seattle Cellars.

  • nate February 16, 2010 (3:41 pm)

    I think that I may have seen that bike in front of “Zatz a Better Bagel” at Admiral/California this morning on my way to the bus stop. I was probably passing around 7:30 am. It might be worth a call.

    Good luck tracking it down.

  • Eli February 16, 2010 (3:42 pm)

    That’s the strange noise I must have heard last night. It didn’t sounds like a car crash so I just figured I was hearing things. I live just across the street from West Seattle Cellars.

  • biankat February 16, 2010 (4:02 pm)

    Horrible. The bike is in my hood. Will miss it :(

  • luckymom30 February 16, 2010 (4:04 pm)

    Wow! We have walked past that bike for years and yes even taken a picture of it, so sorry to hear that thugs have taken this precious gem from you!

  • downhiller February 16, 2010 (4:19 pm)

    Thats horrible about that bike, I used to see it every morning on my bus ride in to work and I always admired the cleverness. I hope its safely recovered.

  • James February 16, 2010 (4:21 pm)

    We live in the apartments next to West Seattle Cellars and had our lobby window broken (from the inside). I also noticed 4 cars on California Ave with smashed windows. I’m not sure these are all related but that’s alot of broken glass in one night.

    • WSB February 16, 2010 (4:23 pm)

      Thanks, James, I need to add something on that to the blurb – we did get a photo of one nearby vehicle with a smashed-out window that was pointed out to us – TR

  • Traci February 16, 2010 (4:28 pm)

    What dingbat steals such a recognizable bike?! Both of these stories are upsetting in their own right, I’m sending some serious love to both of you!

  • shane February 16, 2010 (5:11 pm)

    Do you suppose that there are a few bikes like that? I saw a blue bike like that on California Ave a couple of hours ago. Sadly I don’t recall if there was a basket and I’m sure there were no flowers.

  • Chris T February 16, 2010 (5:39 pm)

    I pass by that bike walking my dog in the neighborhood all the time. I will keep my eye out for that bike.

  • cbf98146 February 16, 2010 (7:34 pm)

    Oh my gosh, someone stole Pee Wee’s bike again!

  • Gini Johnson February 16, 2010 (9:09 pm)

    The tires on my bike were flat as a pancake and I doubt if they would pump up…the colored DICE valve covers were fabulous…
    Thanks for all your kind words fellow retro bike lovers…

  • Bat February 20, 2010 (8:35 am)

    Bummer! Vandals bug off – leave a good hood, good shoppe, and good people alone. You take care Seattle Wine Cellars.

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