West Seattle Crime Watch: Car vandalism; garage break-ins

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the WSB inbox today. First, what appears to be a random case of car vandalism (though the victim’s wondering if it happened to anyone else in the area); second, a report of garage break-ins. Both after the jump – plus a third report that *might* involve a stolen car:

From Alex in Luna Park, starting with a photo of what she discovered this morning (with the yanked-off mirror in pieces on the ground nearby):

Occurred sometime last night after 9:00 pm at 30th Ave SW & Harbor [map]. The passenger-side mirror was broken off the car. No other damage to the car, thankfully. Mirror was found smashed about half a block north on 30th Ave SW. Police report has been filed.

This is the first time we’ve been vandalized and are very sad about it. We’ve lived in West Seattle less than a year. I know that vandalism happens all over but it is still very upsetting given how involved and community oriented we’ve found West Seattle to be.

From Ross in Genesee:

I just wanted to let you know that on Thursday night or Friday during the day my alley-facing detached garage and that of another of my neighbors a few houses down (48th Ave SW between Andover and Charlestown) [map] were broken into. The thieves kicked in the door and stole power tools, hand tools and a workshop light. I’m not sure what was stolen from my neighbors.

We filed a police report but really the police can’t do much more than keep a record of it and be sympathetic. Disappointing but understandable.

Finally, what might or might not be a crime situation, but we’re passing it along anyway, sent by Sherry late this morning:

If anyone is missing a white Nissan Pathfinder, there is one ditched (literally) in the alley cater-corner from Fairmount Park Elementary school (southeast corner, 5600 block of 38th Avenue at Findlay) [map]. The young man who was in the car when I went to check it out had the keys, but no had clue how to silence the alarm that went off while I was speaking with him. I called the cops, but they said they’d already been called about it, and they’d be there when they could (that was about 20 minutes ago).

Bonus side note: Interesting link on SPD website about “how to recognize suspicious behavior” that you would want to call 911 about – read it here.

Bob Loblaw January 30, 2011 (4:00 pm)

Glad that Pathfinder didn’t make it further up the alley and crash into our homes. Thanks for calling, Sherry. I wonder if it was a drunk driver last evening who took a wrong turn and came back to claim the car the morning after (?)

(required) January 30, 2011 (4:12 pm)

Also, a nice guy with some limos who parks them near Tony’s (35th and Barton) just in the past few days or so had his windows on his Hummer limo smashed out. I think I saw tires on one of his limos flat before, but I don’t know if that was from vandalism or a slow leak. It seems lameness is in the air….

WSB January 30, 2011 (4:24 pm)

Req, someone mentioned that to us last night and we hadn’t matched it up with the police reports yet … there was a “property damage” report at 32nd/Barton but that seemed possibly just a bit further east. – TR

Wondering January 30, 2011 (4:50 pm)

That may explain the damage to our garage door as it looks like someone tried to break into it a couple of days ago. We are in the same neighborhood.

valvashon January 30, 2011 (5:23 pm)

I was sorry to see the broken windows on the Hummer Limo because vandalism is just plain wrong. Really though, if you can afford three ghetto limos (a Hummer, a Chrysler 300 and one of those Lincoln Town Car/Limos that has the air suspension that leaks so it sits down on it’s butt when it is parked), you should be able to afford a place to park them that is not on the street. Yeah, you pay your taxes here and whatever but really, rent some secured parking somewhere. I don’t care to look at them or try to look around them to see if there is oncoming traffic. And they’ll be safer.

Val

bridge to somewhere January 30, 2011 (5:29 pm)

My car was broken into last night (9000 block of 29th ave sw). Jerks cut through the convertible’s top to steal 60 cents. (police report filed) What’s up with car prowls lately?

bridge to somewhere January 30, 2011 (5:37 pm)

@Val: totally agree.

fritz49 January 30, 2011 (5:39 pm)

My truck was broken in to. (6700 block and Holly) They got little.

Megan January 30, 2011 (6:40 pm)

my car was broken into last night on 32nd and Webster. Camera was stolen PLUS both my Louis Vuitton Purse and LV Wallet…they took my makeup and dumped it out halfway down the street…and then took stuff out of the car and left it on the sidewalk. ONLY PLUS SIDE: my neighbors security Camera points directly at my car

so plead to the person(s) who may taken my stuff : if you bring it back, ill reward you with Cash AND i wont file charges or ask questions. I just want my stuff back

pugmom January 30, 2011 (7:03 pm)

I live in the Westwood neighborhood on 34th. A couple of weeks ago someone cut the wires and stole my car battery and broke into our garage and stole a power saw. Jerks!

Amanda January 30, 2011 (7:20 pm)

Wow, that’s a lot of vandalism going on in West Seattle. However, I will remark to Alex that not every neighborhood has such a popular Blog who reports this kind of activity. It happens everywhere in the City. I also lean towards Val on their comments about the limos. They are literally “sitting targets” unfortunately. I just wish there were more consequences for people who commit these kinds of petty crimes. How about “electrifying your car” car alarm? I mean, low voltage of course, but that might make someone think twice ;)

(required) January 30, 2011 (9:47 pm)

Val, “ghetto limos”? Yeah, they’re limos, but what’s with the “ghetto” comment? Do you think the guy who owns them is “ghetto”? Or are the rides “ghetto”? And what exactly do you think is “ghetto”? And coincidentally, it seems you don’t like looking at them … so where were you when the windows were smashed? You see, the guy who seems to own them seems to be renting, and I bet he’d be curious; he doesn’t seem like some rich dude who can probably afford to rent space for his rides. I suspect the limos are his livelihood,and now, in this economy, he’s probably hurting. Now that the windows are smashed, he’s gotta be hurting more. And if you look close at them, the cars have some wear and tear and rust. So this isn’t some rich dude tryin’ to mooch free parking and steal money from hard working taxpayers, like you or me. His car was apparently vandalized. I don’t like the rides, either. But he isn’t breaking laws, and for gosh sakes, he’s been the victim of crime. And essentially all you have to say is ‘too bad, he’s bringin’ “ghetto” into our ‘hood’? WTF. Take some time to visit with your neighbor. Make it a neighborhood instead of playing troll. Talk to the owner of the vehicles, and share your thoughts with him. I bet you’ll find he’s not some “ghetto” guy — just a person. And now, a victim. So man, Val, WTF?

(required) January 30, 2011 (9:52 pm)

oh, and beloved WSB, the limo guy (I think) lives in the townhomes next to the new 7-11. I think the townhomes can’t sell and are being rented, probably like all the rest of those crappy little cheapcheapcheap townhome boxes those greedy developers crammed into West Seattle during the bubble years. Not sure of his name, but he seems very nice. I don’t know him yet, but I think I’ll definitely be nice to the guy and let him know I feel bad to see what happened to his property. It seems he’s been victimized. If I learn more, I’ll let you know.

just sayin January 30, 2011 (10:09 pm)

megan — sorry to hear about your stuff, but why would you leave such valuable items in your car to begin with? i’d think that by now people would know better. ALWAYS keep your valuables with you, or hidden. this includes ipods, decks, and gps systems/holders (very attractive to thieves)

bridge to somewhere January 30, 2011 (10:40 pm)

@Megan: you know, if your car was broken into last night in Westwood, we may have had our cars broken into by the same people as I live only a few blocks from you and I had my car broken into last night. I really, really hope you turn that video into the police, for your deal with the perps won’t help me or any of the other people these jerks stole from last night . . .
. . . and besides, I suspect it’s unlikely the thieves are reading the WSB; your best hope at finding your stuff is to give all the information you have to the police ASAP.

Megan January 31, 2011 (12:23 am)

@Bridge to somewhere – Im near westwood village but to be honest im still somewhat new to West Seattle. I know literally a handful of people over here.I filled a police report and plan on handing anything helpful to whatever investigation they have going. I somewhat suspect whomever did it was on foot…im sorry to hear about your situation. I will NEVER understand what drives someone to take something that does NOT belong to them. or to Trash someone else’s property. I just want my stuff back and to be honest, if they were checking out the West seattle blog and they did see my plea they wont likely give it back. But in the off chance one of them grew a heart. I worked hard for that stuff and would greatly appreciate having it all back.

RJB January 31, 2011 (5:49 am)

Still surprised what people leave in their cars. You cannot leave ANYTHING in your autos anymore…..it is sad but true. As you can see by BTS posts, they did costly damage to the roof of the car to get .60 cents.

Way to preach on “required”…….amen.

furor scribendi January 31, 2011 (10:02 am)

Megan; if you get that security video, turn it over to the Seattle police asap, please. At least four cars had their windows shot/smashed out in the last eight days on 32nd Ave SW alone, which is close to your place and also within a block of the limos that were damaged. Chances are they are the same criminals. The best way to get your stuff back is for it to be found when the police identify the perpetrator and seize it after a search warrant has found their stash. Good luck getting that video – – and getting your items back.

MJB January 31, 2011 (10:37 am)

sorry, i agree that the dude who keeps his huge ridiculous limos parked on barton is a nuisance. they’re huge, there’s three of them, and they really block your view when you’re trying to turn off of 34th onto barton in either direction, which i guess is a safety hazard that the entire driving public must endure so this “nice guy” can park these eyesores free of charge on the public streets. of course, it’s too bad they got vandalized, and vandalism is always wrong, but that doesnt negate that they’ve been parked there taking up (often) multiple blocks between 32nd Ave and 35th Ave on barton for upwards of 6 months. rent a space to park your monstrosities. and i frankly dont care if the owner of these things is nice. end rant.

Megan January 31, 2011 (10:43 am)

At Furor Scibendi-
Yes i plan on dealing with the police Directly. I did report the items to any local resell shops so all of the shops have their eyes out. I also reported the camera and purse/wallet to the pawn shops in the area. If they try and go into ANY store to sell them along the puget sound they will be arrested on spot. I also posted ads on craigslist.com.

Fingers crossed.

Angr66 January 31, 2011 (11:00 am)

My car was keyed sometime Saturday Night after 9pm and before 8am Sunday. We live near Austin & California. Car was parked in our driveway off of Austin, Keyed on passanger side all along the side until the rear end. Heard no noise. Nothing Stolen. They may have seen the alarm notice & blinking light once they got close up.

vortex2.71 January 31, 2011 (11:27 am)

Sherry states “I called the cops, but they said they’d already been called about it, and they’d be there when they could (that was about 20 minutes ago).”
Is anyone else disturbed by this? Why didn’t the cops show up when they could have caught either an auto thief or a guy driving intoxicated (sounds like it was one or the other)? Why do they insist that we call the police when the response time is sow low?

bridge to somewhere January 31, 2011 (11:36 am)

@Megan: by the way, welcome to West Seattle. Sorry this is how we had to meet! :-\

Megan January 31, 2011 (11:45 am)

@Bridge to Somewhere –
SERIOUSLY. I hate Thieves.

bridge to somewhere January 31, 2011 (12:02 pm)

@megan: right with you. They caused probably $1000 in damage to my convertible top to get to that 60 cents of mine. grrrr!

Megan January 31, 2011 (1:46 pm)

Yea the belongings stolen or smashed equals close to $2000.
Louis Vuitton purse and LV Wallet. Digital Camera. Professional makeup…
i had to go spend $100 at Target last night on makeup.
Im half tempted to walk up and down the street and see if they started tossing my Drivers License and whatnot.

THE ONLY FUNNY THING TO COME FROM THIS: I had a bunch of $50-200 gift cards which were ALL empty. so chances are they will try to use those and get declined. HAHAHAA.

CMeagh January 31, 2011 (3:49 pm)

Our car was broken into last Tuesday as well. Nothing was stolen because we don’t keep anything in our car. We had our other car broken into about 2 months ago and they took some change. Both times they scattered everything from the glove compartment. It is really frustrating. I am glad that nothing was stolen, but I don’t like the idea that these criminals are doing this. I filed police reports on both of these incidents so that the police have it on record.

Megan January 31, 2011 (4:00 pm)

I filed a police report as well. Last time my wallet was stole i also filed a report and nothing was done about it.

I feel that if a wallet is stolen it constitutes as Identity theft. This should be taken seriously.

I hope for everyone that lives in west seattle that the same persons that have been breaking into your garages, houses, cars, or stealing from your porch was the same person that broke into my car and i PRAY that my neighbor caught it on film so that i can hand it over to the police and they can hopefully identify the scumbags involved.
I will definately keep everyone posted as to whether or not it was caught on film.

For now, everyone be on watch of suspicious behavior around your streets/house.

valvashon January 31, 2011 (6:04 pm)

@(required)- I agree that my use of “ghetto” was inappropriate. I hereby submit the use of the word “trashy” or “tacky” when referring to the Limousines in question.

And I was referring to the cars themselves. Let’s start with the Chrysler 300. It’s bizarrely aggressive styling and owners’ penchant for giant wheels (24″s anyone?) put it firmly in the “trashy/tacky” category most of the time. The two-tone paint job on this one is revolting. Painted black, it looks like something New York mobsters would drive (they do) or something a tin pot dictator would have shipped to them while the rest of the country rides donkeys and slowly starves.

The Lincoln is another mobster car, but it’s best known for ferrying about the nouveau riche (or “celebrities”) who can’t bear to be seen in an ordinary Taxi Cab. Unfortunately they are driven just like taxis- I sure enjoy seeing one of those things bearing down on my car while on the viaduct.

The Hummer is beyond discussion. Is any vehicle more representative of the excesses of the 2000’s? All you need to know is that GM stopped producing the EV1 at almost the exact same time it bought the Hummer brand.

Making any of these vehicles into a limo only makes them more tacky/trashy, as they are usually filled with drunken teenagers or bridesmaids. Or drunken teenage bridesmaids. What’s a limo but an excuse to drink in a moving vehicle. Their rusty and shabby condition doesn’t help matters any.

Are they really being used for a business? I never see them move (except for being shuffled around) and you’d think that if the Hummer had any bookings, the broken windows would have been fixed instantly. As of this writing, they are still all broken. A quick internet search revealed many limo businesses, but this set of vehicles didn’t come up in any of them, nor was there one that claimed to be based in West Seattle. The 300 has an inspection sticker on it from Texas. Why bring it (and I suspect the other two) up from there if you don’t actually have a use for them? Curbstoning?

I will not dignify with a comment your questioning my whereabouts when the Hummer windows were broken.

In closing, here’s the Seattle Municipal Code regarding business use of street parking. It is, in fact, illegal:

SMC 11.70.200 Use of street or alley for parking by business prohibited.

No person shall park or store any motor vehicle upon any street or alley when such motor vehicle is in the custody or control of the owner or operator of any parking lot, garage, new or used car lot, service business, valet parking service or car rental business, or his agent. The provisions of this section shall be applicable whether or not such owner or operator has title to, or an ownership interest in, the motor vehicle, and whether or not any consideration has been paid, directly or indirectly, by the person leaving a motor vehicle in the custody or control of such owner or operator, or his agent. A finding or determination that any owner or operator of such business, or his agent, has violated the provisions of this section, either made at an infraction hearing or because the person failed to respond to the notice of infraction, shall be sufficient cause to warrant a revocation of the business license held by the owner under the License Code of the City.

Kevin January 31, 2011 (8:05 pm)

The Hummers back window was shot out. If you walk near it you can see a clear bullet hole. My wife and I live on 35th ave near Roxbury one of the last remaining houses on the block. And does not have a for sale sign in front of it to sell to a developer to build more townhomes. My car had its street side back window shot out. AGAIN! It is the second time in the past year that it has happened. How despicable can some people be?!? So cowardly. It happened some time between Jan.29-31. Good luck everybody.

Dawn January 31, 2011 (8:30 pm)

Yes, I too am a victim of those oh so gracious car thief’s you just love to hate . My car was just totaled and I was blessed to have a friend with an extra car to loan me. The first night in my driveway it was broken into and her stereo was stolen now I get to replace a car and stereo. Thanks you no good for nothing pieces of Cr#$%$$$$p that steal other peoples hard earnings to buy and keep nice things just to have you list them on e-bay or craigslist to sell for your profit. GET A LIFE AND A JOB…..Live near Westwood Vlg

Megan January 31, 2011 (9:28 pm)

@Dawn-
when did this happen? i bet its the same people that broke into my car

Dave McCoy January 31, 2011 (10:41 pm)

Yep, mine was smashed out on 28th near Holden as well, put a rock through the window with a bag of garbage. Got it fixed and wanted to hang a large sign on it saying I saw you do it, know who you are. Next time walking by my house will take shovel to your head then bury you with it!!

Megan January 31, 2011 (10:52 pm)

@Dave – u are close to where i live, i hope my neighbors got my break in on tape and if so that the same people smashed ur windows. i want to get these people caught.

lucky chick February 1, 2011 (10:51 am)

Yep, thieves are worthless scum. I will not hesitate to deal with these losers directly (because it sure seems as if the police’s hands are tied at times) if teh opportunity arises.

Megan February 1, 2011 (11:12 am)

@Lucky Chick –
with our powers Combined….

I’ll deal with them directly if i have to. Prob just some punk Teenage kids anyways.

lucky chick February 1, 2011 (11:32 am)

I don’t know – the “punk teenage kid” who stole my bike rack off my car was about 50 years old (I caught him selling it on Craigslist, and no, the police did not do anything about it). As John Travolta said in Pulp Fiction, “It would almost be worth him doing it if I caught him at it.”

Megan February 1, 2011 (12:03 pm)

@ Lucky Chick – 50 yrs old? wtf. WOW. well soon i guess i’ll know… well hopefully i’ll know. My neighbors have video of the street activity and HOPEFULLY caught my stuff being jacked.
Ive been scouring craigslist for my purse, Wallet and Camera.
but if they try and sell it off to one of those used clothing type boutiques..they will be arrested as i have already informed them of the crime and have them on the lookout.

bridge to somewhere February 1, 2011 (3:40 pm)

Most thieves work relatively quickly to convert stolen property to cash; for a theft that occured on the weekend, that stuff was either sold to a store/pawnbroker, or made available on Craigslist, Ebay, or the like. However, there have been recent cases (within the year) wherein police execute a search warrant on a thief’s home and find a bunch of stolen goods that the thief either hadn’t gotten around to selling, or perhaps they couldn’t sell it. In any event, based on the comments on WSB alone, this past weekend represented a lot of car break-ins by one or more people in the Westwood/Roxhill/southern West Seattle region, and hopefully the SPD can nip this activity in the bud. Methinks looking-out for people walking around this area with backpacks or whatever at 4am or so might be wise, that is if I were charged with protecting citizens and their property.

Megan February 1, 2011 (5:01 pm)

BRIDGE TO SOMEWHERE – you are correct.
Most people do try to turn items to cash quickly
I called several pawn shops and they do not take purses or wallets – Thank God –
Anyone who has some kind of clothing item stolen – more specifically a purse – should call all sell for cash type stores (like Platos Closet). They are super Helpful on keeping a watchful eye out for stolen items when well informed before hand.
The harder you make it for that Item to be sold. less likely the chance they will have a quick turn-around.
I plan on walking the streets to check any bushes for my purse/wallet as SOME theives look primarily for cash/credit/Gift Cards

chechi February 1, 2011 (9:57 pm)

Wow. I just found this site, and I’m glad I did. I am scheduled to look at 2 houses for rent in West Seattle between SW Thistle and SW Holden, around the 27th to 37 blocks and now I’m thinking of canceling my appointments after reading about all of the crime in this area.

I had no idea this all was going on so much. Kinda scared to put myself and my belongings at risk. I would be paranoid just taking the dog out for a walk. Are there regular police patrols in these areas? Has anybody had their houses broken into?

WSB February 1, 2011 (10:15 pm)

Chechi – crime isn’t necessarily any worse in that area (we’re not too far away ourselves) than any other part of West Seattle and the city. Here at WSB we invite people to share crime reports with us because getting the info from the official sources has more of a lag, and you might be able to help enlighten a neighbor. But that’s different from judging where you want to live. Please check SPD’s crime stats before making decisions – also you can check the police report map which tracks what’s been reported over the past week or so – grab the map to navigate around and check different areas:
http://web5.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx
.
Tracy (editor)

bridge to somewhere February 1, 2011 (10:38 pm)

@chechi, Tracy is right. In a sense, one thing you get as a benefit to living in West Seattle is a vibrant community discussion facilitated by West Seattle Blog. This conversation exposes a lot more of what usually happens in neighborhoods but is hidden away. I lived at Greenlake for several years and had break-ins of all sorts, but because there was no community forum at the time I didn’t know the extent to which others experienced similar thefts. After I met my wife, who also once lived at Greenlake, we compared notes and realized the Greenlake neighborhood has more crime than we would have assumed. But that’s just it: without a place for people to talk about what they are experiencing, crimes are hidden away–but they still occur.

chechi February 1, 2011 (10:45 pm)

Thanks for the info Tracy and bridge. I’ve only been in Seattle for 2 years, but have lived in apartments, so it’s always felt safer. Moving into a house now, by myself, I guess it’s just kinda nerve racking thinking of somebody breaking in regardless of if I’m there or if I’m not. I guess thats part of living in a house anywhere though… But reading some of the reports, hearing of people just smashing through glass doors and windows, even in broad daylight, not sure what you can do to prevent that unless you have a loud alarm system I suppose. :/

Megan February 1, 2011 (11:34 pm)

Tracy is completely right. I’ve lived all over the Puget Sound Region and Crime happens everywhere. Especially now since times are tough. people are getting desperate for Money and doing just about anything to get that, which unfortunately, results in theft. West Seattle isnt all that terrible and not once have I ever felt unsafe living anywhere in Downtown or around Downtown Seattle. Break ins happen everywhere… just be smart. Dont leave stuff in your Car. and be aware of what Car Prowlers look like. Ive lived in both houses and apartments. just be self aware of your surroundings.

Sorry, comment time is over.