West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Prolific’ suspect charged; car, food thefts

3 updates in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight: A multiple-burglary case at a retirement complex in southeast West Seattle has resulted in six charges just filed against 41-year-old John Novotny – four counts of residential burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary. The crimes are alleged to have occurred last month. Novotny is accused of breaking into storage units and other areas at Arrowhead Gardens and stealing items ranging from Christmas ornaments to a sound system. Court documents say some of the stolen property was found in Novotny’s unit at the storage facility near the retirement complex, along with items believed to have been taken in burglaries from other West Seattle residences. Novotny is described in court documents as a “prolific burglar” and has been in the King County Jail since Tuesday and is due in court to answer these charges on April 28th. Meantime, we have two reader reports ahead – a stolen car to watch for, and delivered groceries that somebody made off with:

From Bill – a car-theft report, and a request to keep an eye out for it:

I woke up to find my car missing from the parking area behind my house (near 46th and Genesee).

It is a white 2004 Subaru Forester, WA plates 744 ZOQ. I have reported it to SPD; incident number is 2011-118724

If anyone sees it please let SPD know.

From an Arbor Heights resident who asked not to be identified:

Our groceries were stolen from our front porch on Tuesday morning. … Amazon was kind enough to replace the order that day. Customer service was excellent.

The Amazon Fresh employees told me the only thefts have been in West Seattle, and have been on the rise here, but I found this on a Google search:

http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=9833

(Theft in Ballard last week. Story sounds identical to mine — times and all.)

One of the drivers said they typically steal larger orders, and suspect they are after electronics — to sell for cash.

If you have neighborhood crime concerns, the next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is coming up, next Tuesday, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct – here’s a preview.

d April 14, 2011 (6:24 pm)

I find thieves who steal from seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, to be a uniquely irritating subset of losers. It is good to know they’ve likely snagged this one. Thanks SPD.

Concerned Parent April 15, 2011 (9:09 am)

So, WHY was “Johnny” at Arrowhead???? If he lived there he is too young … if he worked (or lived there) … he was supposed to pass a State Patrol Check! It’s supposed to be “secured” buildings … but of course some people can get in anywhere!!

S April 15, 2011 (9:54 am)

Around Christmas time, someone stole items from many storage units at the Public Storage facility located near the senior apartment complex called Arrowhead Gardens.
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My unit was also broken into, but Public Storage management did not contact me about it. I had noticed that my lock was scratched and dented, and only then did management admit that my unit was one of many that had been broken into.
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@ Concerned Parent: The blog article notes that this thief is “accused of breaking into storage units and other areas at Arrowhead Gardens”
but
not that he had ever lived at the Arrowhead Gardens retirement complex.

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