West Seattle Crime Watch: Catalytic-converter victim gets help

First of two followups to the report two weeks ago of an “active” suspect arrested for car prowling: We learned that the “active” suspect is 28-year-old Joel Lund, arrested for allegedly cutting and stealing the catalytic converter from a Junction-area vehicle described in court documents as belonging to someone “elderly.” While Lund was out of jail within a day and a half of that February 13th arrest, he was arrested again just a day later, and remains in jail today (bail set at $20,000), charged with malicious mischief in that incident, under investigation for others. We’ve been working on a longer story about the case, but in the short run, we just learned from Southwest Precinct Lt. Pierre Davis that the victim in the February 13th case got some extra help – here’s how Lt. Davis told the story:

The victim in this case was a 78 year old resident of West Seattle who depends on her vehicle as she is still completely self-sufficient. However, the damage done to her vehicle disabled her sole mode of transportation. Our West Seattle Community Police Team officers located an automotive repair shop, The Muffler Shoppe, located at 10009 16th Ave SW. that upon learning of the circumstances, volunteered to do the necessary repairs at cost. Obviously we were excited only because we knew that we could get our victim her vehicle back without her incurring significant costs. And then the scenario got better. Upon our West Seattle Citizens learning of this issue, (they) volunteered to pay for the entire cost of repair to our victim’s vehicle and get her back on the road. Although your West Seattle officers apprehended our criminal, our WS citizens really put the icing on the cake!! Way to go West Seattle!!!!

P.S. On a related note, Lt. Davis also wanted to get the word out about a special one-day Citizens’ Police Academy – a mega-condensed version of training that is usually spread out over 2-plus months. It’s set for 9 am-5:30 pm on April 9th, location TBA. It’s not listed on the CPA’s official webpage yet – but that page DOES have contact info for the program, if you’d like to call or e-mail ASAP to sign up!

15 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Catalytic-converter victim gets help"

  • Born To Be Mild March 2, 2011 (3:41 pm)

    Grab that opportunity for the one day citizen’s police academy! I did the 2 month version and it opened my eyes. We are very fortunate to have people who have the skills and disposition to do police work. If you have ever complained about the police, take this class. And then think about what it takes to do this kind of work.

  • I. Ponder March 2, 2011 (4:02 pm)

    I’ve done business with The Muffler Shoppe (Dave?)in White Center. I’m not surprised at all that he stepped up and was so generous. If you want to do business with someone whose word and handshake still mean something and is part of the community (and does great work) I recommend doing business there. Fair price for quality work too.

  • Alki resident March 2, 2011 (4:34 pm)

    I love this story,brings tears to my eyes.@WSB can you print a pic of Joel?

    • WSB March 2, 2011 (4:43 pm)

      Alki resident – Odd thing is that DOC doesn’t have one (I already asked) – which means so far he has done only KCJ time. I haven’t found anything on his record, long as it is, to show otherwise. I may soon start agitating to see what it would take to get access to county photos, but right now, unless you can get one from DOC (state prison, which is how I got James M. Flowers Jr.’s pic for the drug-bust followup) or shoot somebody in court (which tends only to work when they are in standalone court – the arraignment cattle-call court is a nightmare), no pic.

  • SomeGuy March 2, 2011 (4:36 pm)

    Great story – exactly why I love living in WS. You know what would be the real icing on this cake? If we could all gather somewhere (Lincoln Park maybe?) and beat Joel Lund with old mufflers.

  • coffee March 2, 2011 (4:41 pm)

    WAY TO GO Muffler Shoppe! That is yet another reason why I keep saying its nice over here. And for those who think White Center is bad, think again, I’ll say it again, its the best kept secret!

  • JAT March 2, 2011 (5:06 pm)

    It is very heartening when petty criminals are caught in the act.

    I was amused by the juxtaposition in the descrition of the victim as someone “who depends on her vehicle as she is still completely self-sufficient.”

    words are funny things.

  • Genesee Hill March 2, 2011 (5:48 pm)

    Thank you WSB and TR. If you get a photo of this lowlife, please post it so that we can be on the watch for this piece of you know what.

    • WSB March 2, 2011 (6:03 pm)

      Whenever someone is charged, or convicted, particularly repeat offenders, we intend to do all we can to make photos and/or video available.

  • Waytogomo March 2, 2011 (7:23 pm)

    Is there some kind of process that compels the criminal to make restitution to the victim in cases like this, and other property crimes?
    They always seem to have the money to make bail.

  • David March 3, 2011 (7:37 am)

    This is a great story, but there might be a copycat out there. I just woke up today (live around thistle and 35th) and my car was roaring like a Harley Davidson. I looked under my truck and sure enough there was a blank space were the catalytic converter should be. Only help I’m looking for is the help that prevents this from happening again.

    Thanks

    David

  • West Seattle Autoworks March 3, 2011 (9:50 am)

    We have been seeing the new wave of converter thefts in the last few months and we are glad someone finally got caught (though he is not likely the only culprit). Dave at The Muffler Shoppe is great, and we use him ourselves at times. It’s so good to hear what our community is about – helping our neighbors!
    As far as Waytogomo’s question, I apprehended someone stealing my car several years ago and held him for the police, who took him away. The suspect was a juvenile and had a rap sheet as long as your arm. The court had me get an estimate for the damage to my steering column and sbmit it. The court found him guilty and ordered him to pay restitution to me. This is where it gets funny…he would pay the court $5 a month and then they would send me a check…I never saw a dime.
    Oh well, the wheels of justice turn slow.

  • Concerned Citizen March 3, 2011 (11:42 am)

    Come on Seattle Police as well as the criminal justice system…Wake up…Joel Lund has been car prowling, and been breaking into homes since he was 17, he routinley steals copper wire and pipe from anywhere he can. If you look at his record as I have its like 60 offences….The seattle police should pay for her car part…The wheels of justice are square…and most citizens are blind tyo it….

    • WSB March 3, 2011 (11:47 am)

      CC, it would seem from observing the record, the problem isn’t with arresting someone like that, the problem is with what happens after they are arrested, which Seattle Police have no control over. That’s why we are trying to track repeat-offender cases more closely, to document what happens at that stage of the justice-system process … and we’ve only started to scratch the surface … TR

  • Concerned Citizen March 3, 2011 (12:19 pm)

    I know this kid personally.Ive seen the stuff he steals(to include firearms).Ive seen him come and go from jail and prison. Jail to him is a party, its a place to eat and sleep and work out…His friends and relationships benifit from the money he gets from stealing stuff. Why do the scap yards buy stuff from him, why do the pawn shops buy stuff from him. Why is he allowed to walk around our community like he is a respectable member of the community…Its only a matter of time before he hurts someone……

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