West Seattle Crime Watch: Case of the non-starter; stolen car found

Two car crimes start West Seattle Crime Watch today:

NON-STARTER: The photo is from “astounded & fuming“:

I live in the 5600 block of California ave SW and sometime between 6 pm and 8 pm Sunday evening someone broke into my Honda Civic, popped the hood and unbolted my distributor assembly, and stole it out of my car, which was parked in alley parking behind my building. It explains why my car wouldn’t start this morning!

STOLEN CAMARO FOUND: Just as we were about to publish a reader report about a stolen Camaro, we heard scanner traffic suggesting police were getting alerts to its whereabouts via the LoJack system. Shortly thereafter, police found it parked/ditched in High Point, not far from where it had been stolen overnight.

FROM THE ‘IN CASE YOU WONDERED’ FILE: Big but brief police response drew some attention this afternoon at Fauntleroy/35th/Avalon, even a few passes from a TV helicopter. Over before we arrived, so we asked SPD media relations: Officers thought they had spotted the suspect in a robbery outside West Seattle last week. But it wasn’t the person they were looking for.

BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS TOMORROW NIGHT: Next chance to hear from and talk with local police comes as part of tomorrow night’s monthly meeting of the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network. This agenda preview just arrived:

What can you do to help prevent property crimes? Why are thieves taking even inexpensive items from your yard or garage? CPT officer Erin Nicholson will be there to talk about prevention and answer your questions about these types of crimes that you can pass on to your Block Watch Groups.

SW Precinct commander Captain Steve Wilske will provide an update on recent events in West Seattle and South Park. Please join us to review and/or learn tips and techniques that will make your home and property less-desirable targets for criminals.

The meeting’s at 6:30 pm Tuesday at the precinct (Webster/Delridge), all welcome.

6 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Case of the non-starter; stolen car found"

  • REBuchanan February 23, 2015 (8:29 pm)

    8 police cars, guns drawn. Oops. Wrong guy sorry? Wow

    • WSB February 23, 2015 (8:36 pm)

      Guns drawn is a standard “felony-stop” procedure. If for example someone stole your car’s plates and replaced them with plates from a stolen car, and police pulled you over after discovering via a computer check that those plates were stolen, you’d be at gunpoint until things got sorted out – pulling over a suspected stolen car is a “felony stop.” I am not arguing for or against this policy, just noting that it’s the policy. I don’t have all the details on what led them to believe they had or might have the suspect (to be specific, the crime was a bank robbery at the other end of the bridge, on Columbian Way in Beacon Hill, a few days ago). I only mention this because we did look into it after getting questions about the police response and then the chopper. – TR

  • Eric February 24, 2015 (5:26 am)

    Can we stop trying to demonize the police for every single thing they do? It’s not like their job is potentially dangerous or even deadly or something

  • REBuchanan February 24, 2015 (5:34 am)

    Thank you for the clarification WSB.

  • cj February 24, 2015 (7:54 am)

    Given the dramatic and costly stops, not to mention when frightened passengers who are not professionals in law enforcement may set off chain reactions. Perhaps categorizations for what constitutes a felony stop should be revisited.

  • Guy February 24, 2015 (8:23 pm)

    Honda Civics are notorious for having the parts inside the distributor fail. If your mid 1990’s Honda won’t start, it’s usually due to that. Those parts are $50-60 to replace. Now you’re going to be out $300-$400. Sad!!

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