West Seattle Crime Watch: 4 reader reports

Wintry weather didn’t keep the criminals home. We have four West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning – three from the snow-showery overnight hours. First, be on the lookout for Jen’s stolen car:

My 1993 Honda Accord was stolen overnight. Car is a green 4-door sedan. Lic. #AIZ7501. The car was parked in the driveway in Fauntlee Hills between Donovan and Concord.

It has been reported to the police, so if anyone sees it they should call 911.

Ahead, two car prowls and a burglary:

From Angela:

At 3:45 this morning, my boyfriend woke up to the sound of someone moving our trash can and then walking on our gravel driveway (which is in the alley). He looked out the window and saw someone hunkered down by my vehicle. As soon as he turned on the light in our bedroom, they ran. This occurred near SW 39th and Morgan. Luckily, he caught them before anything was damaged or stolen!

Car prowler(s) struck in Elliott’s neighborhood:

I wanted to report my car was broken into sometime last night/early morning. Already reported to police. (8800 block of) 22nd ave SW. Just a few minor valuables taken, no damage done to vehicle or sign of forced entry on 2012 model year VW.

And KC reports a burglary, apparently interrupted:

My house in the 5400 block of 48th Ave SW was broken into (Tuesday) morning between 1130-1230. They got in through the kitchen window in the rear of the house. They ransacked the house and made a small pile of items to take. I think they had to flee quickly and left without taking anything. Police were called and a report was made. According to police, there has been a lot of activity in the Seaview neighborhood.

rw December 19, 2012 (10:25 am)

Yet another 90s-vintage Honda stolen. It happened to us a few years ago. Hondas were then and remain today the most popular cars among punk thieves. If you have one, get a Club or other locking device. That’s what the policeman who took my theft report told me. We got our car back three days later and have locked the steering wheel with a Club ever since. Good luck, Jen. I hope you get your car back and that it is still in decent shape.

Leonette December 19, 2012 (10:37 am)

I had a club, but they were still able to steal my sound system; so if you have one with a removable cover, take the cover with you.

Evergreen December 19, 2012 (10:52 am)

I live in constant paranoia of a house break-in.

Questioner December 19, 2012 (11:13 am)

My ’92 had an attempt on it recently. Idiot car thief couldn’t drive a stick shift though. All he/she got was a 10+ year worthless radio that I may have paid $100 for when it was new.

KW December 19, 2012 (11:17 am)

In Puget Ridge a day or so ago, some neighbors found “visitors” that said they were from Comcast but didn’t appear to know anything about cable, so beware!

WestSide5 December 19, 2012 (11:26 am)

Evergreen, you should go out an buy a gun to make sure you are protected. Also get professional training on how to use it. It will give you more peace of mind knowing that you can protect you and your family. You should’t have to live in fear.

Jeanine December 19, 2012 (11:40 am)

Guns do no good if you’re not home to use them… Burglars prefer unoccupied houses. I’ve been burglarized twice (use an alarm system now) and we weren’t home for either one.

Bob H December 19, 2012 (11:54 am)

Ummm Evergreen, before getting too wild and crazy with the guns, there are a bunch of other things you can do first, such as an alarm (which can be turned on while at home), some lights, and maybe a wifi camera or two. I think WSB has posted this before as well: http://www.seattle.gov/police/prevention/neighborhood/home_security.htm

me December 19, 2012 (12:03 pm)

If you want to protect your home from burglars, go down to Fry’s, or 24/7, and pick up a $15 dummy surveillance camera and mount it where it is somewhat visible. Most of them have a battery operated red LED flashing light so they are visible at night. We haven’t had problems since.

Wowza December 19, 2012 (2:49 pm)

Or get a dog – a really big dog.

JK in Shorewood December 19, 2012 (2:54 pm)

We use an Auto Lock instead of the Club, which I understand can be sprayed with Freon(?) and then broken. The Auto Lock goes on your brake and uses a key to unlock. Kind of a pain sometimes but they definitely won’t be driving your car away. When it’s not in place, we call it the Trunk Monkey. http://www.trunkmonkeyad.com/

Faith4 December 19, 2012 (6:30 pm)

I have used the autolock for the brake for years. Our wonderful locksmith in the Admiral District suggested it as the car is parked in various areas. The locksmith told me there were too many ways to be able to get the club off. With the Auto Lock you cannot use the brake pedal as it is locked. Also, turn wheels to curb and set parking brake – for the thieves that try to load up or pull the car away. This will deter that per prior WSB postings.

Sorry, comment time is over.