West Seattle Crime Watch: Classic car stolen; more vandalized windows, & a victim’s bill…

In West Seattle Crime Watch, the newest reader reports start with a stolen classic car:

STOLEN 240Z: The 45-year-old car at right has been stolen. Nick says it’s “a dark blue 1971 Datsun 240z, pretty hard to miss. It was last seen at Dere automotive at 9201 35th Ave SW. It disappeared sometime last night before dawn. I appreciate any leads I can get, and any info should be reported to SPD, it is in the system.” The car has “collector plates,” #35707.

ANOTHER CAR WINDOW: We had two Crime Watch reports over the weekend with more than a few car-window-vandalism incidents (here and here – and see the comments for more reports). We’ve since received two more reports – first, from Brian:

Just a heads up for those in Gatewood. On Saturday night/early Sunday morning, someone broke the driver’s side window of our neighbors’ vehicle on California Ave at Holden [map]. It was an older Ford Explorer.

And from Elizabeth, also in Gatewood, noticed today: “Car window smashed on Thistle Street between 37th and 39th. [map] No theft, looks like window just smashed.”

FOLLOWUP – WHAT VANDALISM CAN COST: And if you think window-breaking sounds like a petty crime, consider the note we received from the first person to report his window and car were hit more than a month ago (yet another Gatewood victim): “We finally got the car back from the body shop and the repairs were about $3600 and three weeks with a rental car, so the total cost is approaching $5,000. Did the police ever find the person responsible for this?” Not so far as we’ve heard; we have an inquiry out to the precinct, too, but haven’t yet received a reply.

BURGLARY: Artur e-mailed us today about a burglary at his home last week, 7100 block of 34th SW [map]:

I had left my door unlocked and woke up to my dog barking at somebody who had opened my door and was standing at the doorway. By the time the cops came (10 mins), the man had left. Reminder to keep doors locked even if you’re at home.

CAR PROWL: Jenny reports spotting a car prowler in progress at 36th and Brandon [map] early today. Police responded but the suspect had fled in this case, too.

NEXT CRIME/SAFETY MEETING: As previewed here earlier today, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meets tomorrow (Tuesday) night at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), 6:30 pm. All welcome – hear from (and bring your questions/concerns to) precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis and special guest City Councilmember Lisa Herbold.

15 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Classic car stolen; more vandalized windows, & a victim's bill..."

  • Eric March 22, 2016 (4:44 am)

      I really dislike the term “victimless crime” because it is inaccurate.  Just because someone doesn’t get hurt physically, doesn’t mean they are not a victim and this note with the person speaking of their cost due to some POS is an example of this. 

      The fact is, having to pay for broken windows, door jams, doors, stolen items etc. can seriously put a strain on a family who might just be able to make ends meet without these added costs due to entitled POS costing them more. And with the costs of deductibles the person may just have to pay out of pocket if the costs aren’t much more in order not to raise their rates. 

    Even when these people are caught, the restitution set up by courts is an absolute  joke.

      Something to consider. I would not be surprised with the rash of vandalism, if these people were not doing it for bleeps and giggles and then coming onto the WSB to read the stories and the comments about their mayhem.  A double edge sword when it comes to media.

    BTW, has there been any word on the video that was supposedly taken on Delridge of these POS breaking windows?

    Plus, the 10 minute response time from the police about the man entering the person’s home is pathetic.  I received the same pathetic response time from the police a few years ago while chasing down a suspected burglar to the point where I asked the dispatcher if they got my address information correct (on the 3rd call)! I followed this guy through the neighborhood until I lost him when he started going through people’s yards.  This is was at the time that there was a rash of home burglaries in West Seattle and the suspect was a white male with brown hair and a beard. This person fit the description and I told dispatch about this hoping for a quick response.  Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and the next day I read on the blog that a house on the same street, but a block and a half over had been burglarized the same day I had followed this guy who on an 80+ degree day was wearing a sweatshirt and black gloves while trying to hide something under his sweatshirt.  

  • d March 22, 2016 (7:31 am)

    No surprise there Eric they are there more to report crimes then to actually catch the criminals it seems especially in the act that very rarely ever actually happens putting their lives on the lines anymore seems to be a real joke and just a reminder of the good old days when people actually did their jobs

    • WSB March 22, 2016 (7:46 am)

      D – Complain about response times if you want (are you aware of the staffing levels?) but please don’t claim police aren’t putting their lives on the line without spending some time listening to the scanner. Just now, officers were dispatched to a domestic-violence situation in which a woman was reported to have been choked and had her head bashed against a wall. She was in the same room with her alleged abuser, and, reportedly, a knife. Then there was the situation we covered on Saturday at Don Armeni involving a guy in the park with a gun. In crisis – reportedly threatening self-harm – but it was officers’ jobs to figure out not only how to save him from himself (negotiators were part of the response) but how to keep people on the ground and in water, at a very open public park with dozens of condos/apartments across the street in open line of fire, from getting hurt. They did that. (And we’ve covered multiple other incidents like that in recent months. Armed people on or along busy streets. 16th, 35th …)

      Police are called to deal with far more crises than crimes. But if you doubt that, again, come to the precinct tonight at 6:30 and ask a question/bring up a concern (Block Watch Captains Network, all welcome). Or the next WS Crime Prevention Council, third Tuesdays at 7. Or most neighborhood council meetings (all of which are publicized here) – either precinct brass or a Community Police Team officer is usually present. – TR

  • John March 22, 2016 (7:35 am)

    Those 240Z’s are beautiful cars.  Way ahead of their time.  It’s amazing that it’s 45 years old.  I really hope the car gets returned.

  • Gene March 22, 2016 (7:42 am)

    D — ” putting their lives on the line anymore seems to be a real joke”? 

    Guessing you wrote that just to get a rise out out of people- well – I’ll oblige .

    Pretty much speechless at that thoughtless , ignorant comment. 

  • Born on Alki 59 March 22, 2016 (7:42 am)

    Hope you find your 240Z, I’ve owned a couple of them over the years. One 70 1/2 and one 72.

    Loved both of them. Definitely not a victimless crime here, I feel your pain. 

  • d March 22, 2016 (7:44 am)

    No Gene I actually meant it and feel very strongly about that

  • East Coast Cynic March 22, 2016 (8:40 am)

    @Eric

     

    The SPD is seriously overstretched.  They’re doing the best I can with what they’ve got.  Maybe at one of those get-togethers with our District councilperson, suggest a levy to pay for more cops .

  • sam-c March 22, 2016 (9:06 am)

    There aren’t just the enormous costs borne by the victims, but everybody…. don’t trends like this affect our insurance rates?  I mean I swear when we moved, we updated our car insurance. They ask you for the zip code where you park your car.  Our rates went up; we asked why..  we hadn’t had any accidents or gotten tickets or anything. But they told us it was cause we moved to an area that has a higher rate of car prowls.

    • KM March 22, 2016 (2:11 pm)

      They certainly do affect our insurance rates. The costs of of these crimes are more than just the window replacement sticker shock.

    • AMD March 22, 2016 (6:41 pm)

      My rates have been going up year after year without even moving.  Car prowls are bad and getting worse.

  • JulNJer March 22, 2016 (9:30 am)

    D: I think what the police department needs is someone like you who knows what’s needed. I encourage you to apply so you can set things straight. We’ll all breathe a sigh of relief once you’re on the force. 

  • Chuck and Sally's Van Man March 22, 2016 (11:02 am)

    As an owner of a classic car myself, I really feel for the owner of the 240z. Hopefully it ends up in one piece, and just taken for a joy ride. I have to have some work done on my vehicle, and have decided it’s not going anywhere unless it can be locked up at night. There are just too many crappy people looking to make a quick buck. I hope it’s found soon!

  • IMHO March 22, 2016 (1:12 pm)

    The West Seattle police may run late, but they saved my life, along with the fire dept., approximately 8-1/2 years ago.And, in regards to the BB brats, damaging 3 windows on a Metro bus while it was in transit is reckless endangerment. I’m guessing this has the attention of the police and will garner more than a fine. 

    Yet another Gatewood resident, currently without a driver’s side window.

  • faceless April 9, 2016 (12:39 pm)

    The gateway car break ins- Happened to me over on 34th between thistle and elm groove. they hit my neighbors car as well. we gave the police the report but later the cops got a call from some gal that got beat up. One thing led to another and the cops found out that the guy that broke into my car and my neighbors was the guy that beat this gal up so she coughed up the data and took the police up to 39th and thistle where he stassed all his s–t. The police were able to get my neighbors stuff back. It was behind the magnolia bush at the church. 

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