Think it’s less likely that you’ll be targeted by a car prowler if the weather is miserable? Think again. Three of the four most-recent West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports we’ve received are about car prowls on the first day of this rainy week. First, from Admiral:

My car was broken into (Monday morning) between midnight and 8am at 42nd Ave SW and Spokane. They took the entire center column that included an old Alpine stereo and the heating controls. They also took 2 iPods. According to the SPD it was a clean, professional job. They didn’t break any windows or damage the doors to get into the vehicle. Just want to left my neighbors in this area to be aware and avoid leaving valuables in their cars.

Next, two more car break-ins, both in Seaview, plus another case of mailbox tampering:

From John:

Just wanted to report a car break-in … 45th and Graham late Monday night…they got away with my Leatherman (engraved with the name “Roadkill”) and two pairs of expensive prescription sunglasses (both Spy brand) … they left my sugar pumpkin and my gym clothes … It was very windy and rainy that night so everything sounded like a break in. My dog didn’t even flinch. I have filed a police report and suspect that the culprits will have dumped the glasses in the greenbelt somewhere once they realize I am as blind as a bat.

Earlier Monday, also in Seaview, Jonathan‘s truck was broken into:

We’re in the 6000 block of 46th Ave SW. At 7 am, our neighbor knocked on our front door to alert us that the driver side door of my 1991 white Toyota pickup was open. It is parked on the street in front of our house. She stated that on her way to the gym a little before 6 am, she saw someone in the cab, but thought it was it was myself or my wife. Upon returning from the gym is when she noticed the driver side door ajar and no one around. The contents of the glove box were scattered on the front seat. The thief broke into the vehicle through the locked topper gate on the rear of the vehicle by yanking it open, and gained entry through the rear sliding window of the cab or reached through and unlocked the door, and entered through the driver side door. Contents that were stolen from the vehicle include: the face of the Pioneer CD player/radio, jumper cables, AAA roadside assistance kit, the tow ball and mount for the vehicle’s hitch, a pair of Ambervision sunglasses, and the factory car jack flat repair system. Additionally, all bolts that secure the topper to the bed of the truck were removed, but left in the bed.

Car-prowl prevention is among the advice contained in Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon‘s latest newsletter – you can see it on the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network website.

Finally, from Kathi in Arbor Heights, reporting mail theft last weekend:

We have a locked mailbox or should I say we had a locked mailbox. Someone must have unscrewed our lock and stole our mail. 39th and SW 100th block.