West Seattle Crime Watch: Arbor Heights burglaries

| Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

Police confirm three incidents in Arbor Heights this afternoon might be related. According to Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith, two homes were broken into – “both had evidence of forced entry”; nobody was home at either one. Then there was a prowling/attempted burglary report, with somebody at home and calling 911. Lt. Smith says the caller saw two “juvenile males looking into the house”; they were seen fleeing southbound from the 10200 block of 37th SW. Jeff, who says he reported them, sent the following note as we were writing this story:

It was about 12:20, Monday afternoon, I had just pulled up in front of my house
when I heard banging coming from down the street. I looked over, and saw two black males late teens/early twenties trying to kick in a front door at 37th and 102nd. I immediately got their attention with some colorful language, then they ran south on 37th avenue towards Arbor Heights Elementary. I got back in my truck, drove to 37th and 104th and spotted the two punks before they disappeared behind cars and into someone’s yard. I called the police during pursuit, I am hopeful these guys get caught.

We had heard a scanner report that the police search resulted in “sheltering in place” at Arbor Heights Elementary; nothing actually happened at the school, but as noted above, the suspects had been reported seen in the area.

WSLifer May 16, 2011 (3:45 pm)

Way to go! Thank you for doing the right thing. Wish you lived in my ‘hood. Hope SPD catches these little bastards.

Alki Resident May 16, 2011 (3:58 pm)

Were they wearing back packs?I saw two males this morning going up California Ave from 100th wearing back packs and hoodies.They seemed to be hispanic.

a nice girl in a big town May 16, 2011 (3:58 pm)

I live between 102nd and 104th…. do we know if this was 37th Place or 37th Ave (they are next to each other).

Also any damage? I’m nervous to go home! I noticed the other day a bunch of tagging in the alley between place and ave homes.

Recall McGinn May 16, 2011 (4:10 pm)

Good looking out! West Seattle has the best neighbors!

Millertime May 16, 2011 (4:12 pm)

No backpacks, 37th Avenue. Just what neighbors do.

Cheryl May 16, 2011 (4:35 pm)

Keep looking out for each other West Seattle!

Todd May 16, 2011 (4:58 pm)

By looking out for one another and staying involved, we can keep this stuff to a minimum and everyone can feel a little safer.
Good going!

mr.g May 16, 2011 (5:15 pm)

I wonder if these turds read the blog….actually I’m sure reading is not at the top of their list of things to do. I live not too far from where this happened, and these punks really need to know that there are many gun owners out there…myself included…who when faced with a situation like this WILL shoot any intruder in their home. THINK about that boys….is it really worth the rush of stealing a flippin computer or tv that you may get $30.00 for. Dumb@$%es

KRM May 16, 2011 (5:39 pm)

I would be very happy to have neighbors like Jeff. Way to go!!!!

Arbor Heights Nghbr May 16, 2011 (7:09 pm)

Go Jeff! That’s right we neighbors in West Seattle stick together! Please give us an update.

Mike May 16, 2011 (7:20 pm)

It was 37th Ave. They broke into my neighbors house around 12:40pm. We called the police when we saw that their door had obviously been kicked in. I’ve alerted several other neighbors so we will all be on the look out. The police arrived very quickly and were quite helpful!

BruceWayne May 16, 2011 (7:31 pm)

Geez! This is a block away from my house. Getting a little close to home for comfort. Lock everything up tight I guess!

stephanie May 16, 2011 (7:54 pm)

Thanks for watching out for your neighborhood!!!!

Marc Mauger May 16, 2011 (8:11 pm)

Nice work! What do you think about the idea of not alerting them and just calling 911 while trying to keep an eye on their location? Seems like it might allow the police to get a jump on them …

G C and S May 16, 2011 (8:50 pm)

It was our house and we are VERY greatful to all our neighbors for helping run these hoodlums off! Several people called or stopped by to let us know what had happened. For the record, they did not actually get into the house. The double bolts held the door in place, thanks to some very fast action by Jeff and several other concerned neighbors. It’s a shame that this sort of thing happens, but wonderful that we have such terrific neighbors not only looking after us, but willing to get involved as well! Thanks again to everyone involved!

knm May 16, 2011 (9:15 pm)

Arbor Heights is a great community. Love living here.

Lord of the Hill May 16, 2011 (9:15 pm)

A perfect example of neighbors doing the right thing. By yelling at them you let them know, “we are watching you! NOT on our block!”. There is no guarantee that just dialing 911 w/out confronting them would equate to an arrest.

If these little wusses know we aren’t afraid and will defend ourselves, maybe they will think twice.

Matt F May 16, 2011 (9:22 pm)

Glad to know we’re all looking out for each other down hear in Arbor Heights. Any word on where the two successful burglaries occurred?

MyBaldHead May 17, 2011 (8:44 am)

It seems there’s a lot of activity in our general area. Sometime between about 10 AM Sunday and about noon on Monday my MIL’s house on 31st and 104th was broken into. They jimmied a window and got in that way. Broke a few things, stole some jewelry and other minor items. It could have been much worse. I believe one of her neighbors also had their door kicked in. I hope they catch these morons soon!

churchlady May 17, 2011 (11:40 am)

I live near the holy family church off roxbury and had my back door kicked in several months ago by two young black males between the ages of 15-17. We have video serveillance cameras and a dog who chased them off. We noticed a light green 1992 honda accord drving back and forth our street shortly after. It was packed with teens but not sure if it was the punks who kicked in our door!

Resident3 May 17, 2011 (12:13 pm)

I’m curious if these things happen when cars are parked in the driveway or when dogs are in the house? What deterents are effective beyond a neighbor being home at the right time?

RobinR May 17, 2011 (4:53 pm)

Resident3 – I’d love to know as well.

RickM May 18, 2011 (6:46 am)

Great work neighbors! Keep up the good work.

wsbliss May 20, 2011 (1:41 pm)

FYI to Arbor Heights neighbors, there was some suspicious activity around 98th/42nd last week. A driver in older blue/gray Acura seemed to be casing my neighbor’s house. I watched a man (who appeared to be hispanic or native american) in his 20s/30s slowly drive by twice (he drove past, stopped, craned his neck to look at the house, then turned around and drove back, staring at the house). The next day, the car returned, with a passenger (I couldn’t see him, other than a ball cap)…both were eyeballing the house. I was standing on the front porch, and gave the driver the stink eye when he noticed me. I hope it was nothing, but it seemed very odd. My neighbors are aware of the problem, and are always home. I am seeing other similar posts in the crime watch, and wanted to share. I am tired of the crime in arbor heights and want to be more vigilant.