West Seattle Crime Watch: Would-be package thief?

| Crime | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox, from Heidi:

Today at 3:30pm – I was expecting a delivery so I was listening for the delivery truck. When I heard an engine running outside my house I looked out the window and saw an older green SUV, I think a Chevy Blazer. A woman walked onto my porch and took a package, sticking it under her sweatshirt as she walked back to the SUV. It was just a $10 book. I was so pissed she was stealing this paperback book, I opened the door and yelled at her that it was just a book. (Upon later reflection this might not have been the safest thing to do.) She made up a story about how she was picking up a package for her grandma and, oops, what do you know, this was the wrong address. She returned to the porch, set it down, then got into the passenger side of the car.

I got a partial plate – starts with either 928 or 528, they left headed north on 48th Ave SW close to Andover. I called police and they responded right away, an officer stopped by to verify where I saw the car go next. The woman was probably in her 20’s, early 30’s at the most, wearing a white hoody sweatshirt and light pants. Average height, a little on the heavy side. Caucasian, blonde hair, long in a pony tail. Keep your eye out!!!

Lea July 2, 2012 (4:58 pm)

Argh, I definitely would have yelled too, probably something worse; but you’re right, you have to be careful. People have some nerve…hopefully karma will come along and bite her in the backside. Glad you got your book back!

coffee July 2, 2012 (5:01 pm)

Regardless if its a 10.00 book or a 2,000.00 TV, its still a theft of something that belongs to someone. You have every right to be PO’d!

Neighbor July 2, 2012 (5:01 pm)

That’s my neighborhood and I’m expecting an order from Amazon. Was it Fed Ex or UPS or USPS? Wondering what kind of truck she’s following…

Lachlan July 2, 2012 (5:10 pm)

This may help with package delivery concerns:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200689010

Josh W July 2, 2012 (5:32 pm)

should have yelled at them down the barrel of a 12 gauge… would have made them think twice

Alki Resident July 2, 2012 (5:40 pm)

Can this package get fingerprinted?

Gyngersnap July 2, 2012 (6:04 pm)

Oh Josh for heavens sake. We’re trying to stop gun violence, not escalate it. Wouldn’t you feel stupid if you killed someone over a $10.00 book? Apparently not.

CubanRefugee July 2, 2012 (6:31 pm)

Lachlan, that’s awesome! I had no idea Amazon provided lockers for shipments. It’s a shame that the closest ones are all downtown.

Even though it’s not the safest thing in the world, I would have done the same and definitely yelled some choice words. You got to have a lot of nerve to actually go up to someones porch and accept a package that isn’t yours.

Norman July 2, 2012 (6:49 pm)

I am glad you got your book back, I too am waiting for a package unfortunately its value is much greater. I will be keeping my eyes open and my hearing aides on high .Thanks for the heads up.

Wine guy July 2, 2012 (6:58 pm)

Dropcam.com, $150 hd wifi camera. I have mine pointed at my front steps and the front of my house. Great investment.

smokeycretin9 July 2, 2012 (7:06 pm)

WHat if you have your Dropcam delivered by UPS?

Jonny Underpants July 2, 2012 (7:15 pm)

I have had a few packages stolen around the holidays this past year. So, back in Dec, I thought it would be a great “prank” for the dishonest out there if I bagged a weeks worth of dog poo and boxed it in a FedEx box. Let’s just say it wasn’t long until someone took the bait. The shallow side of me hopes that they opened it in their car.

While this may not add to conversation – hopefully it lightens the load (no pun intended :).

welovews July 2, 2012 (7:28 pm)

Neighbor – It was USPS, in a padded manila envelope.
Alki resident – I kept the package just in case the police could fingerprint it! I doubt they will, they didn’t ask. (I’ve been watching too many crime shows.)
Wine guy – we’ve been thinking about getting a surveillance camera, thanks for the recommendation.

Wine guy July 2, 2012 (7:32 pm)

Smokey, good point. I’d hold the first one at the sodo station.

coffee July 2, 2012 (9:03 pm)

Ask your employer if you can have items delivered there, saves the headaches. Plus some of the shipping places here in W. Sea. will accept deliveries for a small fee.

shed22 July 2, 2012 (9:08 pm)

People need to keep their thieving hands to themselves!

Johnny Underpants, did you not fear retribution? They know where you live.

sticky fingers July 2, 2012 (9:28 pm)

wonder what was the book? will this make it a more enjoyable read?

Jonny Underpants July 3, 2012 (1:14 am)

No – I don’t fear people that sneak around and steal… poop. Haha.

sibby July 3, 2012 (2:08 am)

for those of you with front porch cams that don’t fear retribution…order something for $5 from amazon and have it shipped to your porch. leave it there. after it gets stolen, give the video to the cops.

Rick July 3, 2012 (4:16 am)

Trust no one

Belvedere resident July 3, 2012 (4:53 am)

We had a package stolen a few years ago. We now have everything delivered to our work addresses.

Christy July 3, 2012 (6:04 am)

@Jennyunderpants

You rock. Seriously awesome prank! Fortunately, I live at the top of TALL stairs. So far, thieves have left me alone in search of easier pickings! Knock on wood and stuff.

JoAnne July 3, 2012 (8:15 am)

I have had packages stolen from my porch and also had US mail stolen right out of my mailbox.

I called the Postmaster General but they won’t do anything about it.

Now I have everything delivered to my Mom’s.

Trick July 3, 2012 (8:36 am)

I have my dropcam arriving Thursday.
The irony of having it taken before I could set it up would be almost comical.
At a previous business, I had a guy bring a ladder and rip out the exterior camera ($400 camera). Yes, had it on video, great shot of him and his hoody, but that’s all. Never caught the guy.

a July 3, 2012 (9:00 am)

Joanne, a locking mailbox is a great solution to prevent mail theft. Also, alot of times when you order stuff online you can leave a message on the package. Leave a message saying carrier-leave notice if no one home. You may have to go to the post office or UPS but at least you will get your order. Take preventative measures and you will get what you paid for. Don’t let some crackhead get high on your dime because they pawned off something that belongs to you.

Brandon July 3, 2012 (9:15 am)

I had a package stolen and I think Johnny has the best idea for retribution, I also have a camera on my front porch. Did not deter the thieves however.

Julia July 3, 2012 (12:42 pm)

I appreciate that most delivery drivers try to hide packages behind plant pots on our porch, so they’re not visible from the street.

Kayzel July 3, 2012 (1:30 pm)

Not all drivers are as considerate. I was astonished last week when UPS left a package for me on top of my trash can, at the back of my house in a very well-populated alley/public walkway. This is in High Point where the streets aren’t necessarily on a grid, and where there has been a rash of package thefts recently. But it’s really not too strenuous to walk the package to the side or front door. Luckily, I got the package, but it was trash pickup day and it could easily been gone 20 minutes later. I got a prompt local response after calling the national customer service number. They said they would talk to the driver in my neighborhood.

vanceg July 3, 2012 (3:26 pm)

Hey – I saw a Green SUV, older model stop strangely in front of my house about a week ago. I heard the UPS truck. Since I was expecting a package I made my way to the front door…but it took a few minutes as I had been on the phone. As I went outside to grab the package from my front porch, the UPS truck was gone (of course) but this SUV had just stopped in front of my house and someone was getting out. I couldn’t see the driver as the person was mostly obscured by the SUV…but this person got out, started toward my driveway but then turned around, got back in the SUV and drove off. I thought it “Odd” ad made note of it, but wasn’t in the position to see the driver or license place.

HockeyWitch July 3, 2012 (6:41 pm)

I’ve had packages stolen from my door step as well. Now I either have them delivered to my work office or notify the Post Office and ask them to hold it for me there and I go pick it up. Sick and tired of low life thieves helping themselves to other people’s things.

Karen July 3, 2012 (9:31 pm)

Do delivery drivers not notice that a car or SUV is following them around trying to pick up other people’s packages? Sounds odd to me…

Linda July 3, 2012 (10:51 pm)

I just mailed today from Tennesse a package to my boyfriend who lives in West Seattle. I sure hope it makes it. I insured it but who cares, I can’t replace what’s in it anyway. It is really a bummer that this goes on on nobody can do anything about it once and forever!!

breezygirl July 4, 2012 (12:48 pm)

For a $4 receiving fee you can have your packages delivered to Alki Mail & Dispatch where the employees will keep your not too large items safely stored until you can pick them up.

Eric July 6, 2012 (4:55 pm)

Are you positive that it is a green SUV? I just saw a suspicious car not too long ago. It was a bluish green older Ford SUV (I could really tell what model it was until I got a closer look at it). I have the complete plate #, but for the blog I will only say the first part which was 978. This is close to the 928 that you thought it might be. The woman driving the SUV was a white female, a little on the heavier side, with a long blonde pony tail. I have a pic of the SUV also that I am more than happy to forward to you, if there is a way to do it without putting my email addy up on the blog.

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