West Seattle Crime Watch: Beware of metal, package thieves

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon. From Todd at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), a suggestion that it’s time to step up the extra vigilance for catalytic-converter theft and other types of metal-stealing – he says their shop (35th/Webster) has been hit by thieves going through their scrap metal (last night, it was radiators), even in a fenced, locked yard. (They already lock up the scrap catalytic converters.) He notes that Toyota pickups and 4-Runners tend to be targeted most often, and “it only takes a few minutes for an experienced thief to get (the converter) off the vehicle.”

And from Larry:

I had two packages stolen from our front door stoop on the same day. Both were supposedly delivered on May 10th from two different companies. I live on 31st between near Thistle Street.

MB May 16, 2012 (7:53 pm)

There has been mail/package theft this week on 28th near Webster/Othello as well… ;(

Jessica May 16, 2012 (9:22 pm)

I had all my tomato plants dug up and stolen from my raised bed. They also took the tomato cages. We live near Thistle and 34th.

Mike May 16, 2012 (9:54 pm)

Again, SPD needs to learn from Grant County Sheriff’s office and crack down on the metal recyclers that accept this stolen metal goods. http://www.co.grant.wa.us/sheriff/HTM/metal-theft.htm It’s not rocket science, it’s basic math and a checklist of names. I already had to report to Seattle City Light that 6′ of solid copper ground wire was cut and stolen from every utility pole on my block (that was about a year ago or so now). Not sure we can afford to keep replacing those ground wires, it’s also vital to have them attached to the utilities on the pole.

Josh May 17, 2012 (8:35 am)

I ride my bike by West Seattle recycling every morning on my way to work. Yesterday morning two guys were outside breaking parts off radiators waiting for the shop to open. You may want to check with West Seattle Recycling for your missing radiators.