West Seattle Crime Watch: 5 reader reports

| Crime | Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

Five West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

TONIGHT – RING GONE AFTER SOLICITOR LEAVES: Danielle believes her engagement ring, left on the shelf in her bathroom, was stolen by a solicitor a little over an hour ago in the Fairmount neighborhood, near 38th and Raymond. “Around 7 pm a young black male wearing a bow tie and feminine backpack came to the door to sell magazines. My fiancé naïvely let him in to use the bathroom while he wrote a $25 check. I now realize my engagement ring that I had taken off to garden and left on the bathroom shelf is missing. Please keep an eye out for this person and do not give him any money. Please call the police immediately.” We asked for further descriptive information before publishing this and she replied:

Height: probably 5’10”
Clothes: button-up shirt (white) with a bow tie with a sweatshirt on top. He was wearing a backpack that reminded me of one I’d seen at Forever 21 in the women’s section (might have been floral). May have been wearing a hat but we can’t remember so we can’t really remember what his hair looks like. Definitely black hair though.

Side note – we’ve had a few questions about door-to-door sellers in general recently. The second half of this SPD Crime Prevention newsletter from 2013 recaps the rules, as well as police’s advice.

WHEEL STOLEN: From Michael in Seaview:

We live at 46th Ave SW and Findlay. Thieves stole one wheel this morning off our car, and almost had a second (picture attached).

Removed the lug nuts from both and from all appearances the front one fell back to rest on the loose wheel since the jack was not set up well. From talking with the neighbors across the street it sounds like it happened around 10:30 this morning. Usually we have a fair amount of traffic and it sounds like people might have mistaken it for us working on the car.

HIT AND RUN: From Brad:

This morning at 1:10 am, my Jeep was hit and run by a yellow / light color medium sized pickup. This pickup truck was drifting up the corner of Spokane Street and then the corner of 58th and Hillcrest when the impact occurred. They fled the scene up Hillcrest, which turns into Charlestown.

This yellowish pickup will have front damage and a headlight out. In the broken glass debris is a ‘Made in the USA’ stamp. So, either the vehicle was made in the USA, or the headlight was. If anyone sees this damaged vehicle, please notify police (and refer to) incident # 16-216446.

3 CAR PROWLS, 2 REPORTS: Meghan reports two on Thursday in the 2100 block of Fairmount Avenue: “Luckily, there was nothing of great value in either vehicle; however, they did rifle through personal items (mail, address books, etc).” And Kristiana reported on Friday: “Reporting our second car break in 6 months. Nothing valuable to take in our car but they tossed the contents all over our seats and made off with a phone cord. Sigh. … We’re at Spokane and 48th. Car was parked on street in front of house.”

REMINDER: If you have neighborhood crime concerns to bring to police, next Tuesday (June 21st) is the monthly West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), with guest SPD Chief Operating Officer Brian Maxey, focusing on questions and concerns about the 911 system.

PW June 18, 2016 (8:38 pm)

They came to my home in Fauntleroy black male he had a young female with him 10-12 years old, selling magazines. Same description. I told them to leave I was not interested, he was very aggressive. Light Blue V neck sweater with a bow tie. It seemed like they wanted to come in.

cjboffoli June 18, 2016 (9:03 pm)

This might be a longshot but I wonder if Danielle’s door to door solicitors were either of these men:

https://goo.gl/VTGcb1

The detail about the backpack reminded me that one of these guys (that were working door to door in various West Seattle neighborhoods back in 2014) incongruously had a Hello Kitty backpack. The SPD detained and questioned these two at the corner of 40th and Edmunds and told me later that these guys were known to them, were part of a traveling group of solicitors, and had been warned just days before to stay out of West Seattle.

Fitz June 19, 2016 (10:54 pm)

“They had been warned days before to stay out of West Seattle….” Yet, here they were anyway still doing it.
Danielle June 24, 2016 (11:42 am)

Not these men but thanks for sharing anyways! It sounds like all of these “salesmen” have really bad reputations. Our guy fooled us but seeming really pleasant and innocent.

Jenfin June 18, 2016 (9:46 pm)

I think he came to our door tonight; description fits. My husband turned him away before hearing his Schpeel. 38th ave near the junction. So sorry for your missing engagement ring.

Mandy June 18, 2016 (10:03 pm)

Solicitor came to my house too. Was walking around the side of the house yelling helloooo which I found strange. I yelled at him for waking my newborn and he says he’d come back later. I realized soon after our garage was open so immediately shut it after. He seemed suspicious. I’m on 37th between Morgan and Holly.

Cd June 18, 2016 (10:19 pm)

Man with same description came to our door, we didn’t open the door, and wouldn’t for any solicitor.

Double Dub Resident June 19, 2016 (5:04 am)

Unfortunately for the legit, I do not give solicitors the time of day. I have signs posted and if they still come to my door I show them the signs before they can say a word. If they state that they’re not selling anything, I tell them I don’t care, they’re attempting to solicit something from me.

Giving strangers money in any form is not a good idea. If you give them money, you could just be out that money. Probably the best bad option. You give them your credit card number, well now they have your number. You write a check, now they have your account and routing number.

BTW, hopefully the people cancelled that check they wrote.

Double Dub Resident June 19, 2016 (5:15 am)

Just to add, do NOT let anyone in your home. I had some guy claiming to be affiliated with the Fire Dept. wanting to talk about home security and burglaries. I said no.

He then offered me the strangest offer. If I let him use my bathroom he would teach me CPR. I laughed and said no. And let him know that first off, I already knew CPR, and secondly, he was just explaining about being vulnerable to burglaries and then I’m going to turn around and let a stranger into my home so they can see what valuables I have? Don’t think so

MamaC June 19, 2016 (6:06 am)

We had a solicitor come to our home a few days ago. Claimed to be with North Star Home, and may have been legit, but they had our full names, neighbor’s names, and were asking lots of personal questions. Wasn’t too excited about that. Although, as their business is home security, maybe their tactic is to scare! Boo.

Gene June 19, 2016 (7:45 am)

Danielle- have you thought about putting a stop on the check?

The guy could have cashed it already- but maybe not. Might be worth a try.

nemobeansmom June 19, 2016 (3:54 pm)

Besides just cancelling the check I would close the account all together because if they have no problem taking your ring then they would have no problem cleaning your bank account out.

And just an FYI…30 plus years ago I worked at an airport hotel and these groups of young adults would stay at the hotel and would be driven out to neighborhoods o sell magazines, cleaning supplies… and they were from Texas and other State (not local like they say when they come to your door) so maybe have the police check out the hotels near the airport.

Bev June 19, 2016 (4:50 pm)

We had a similar experience on Friday mid afternoon. SW Frontenac and 41st Ave SW. The individual was a young, white male wearing a bow tie and claimed to be from “Tennessee” and was selling magazines for Second Chance (although he didn’t talk about magazines at all). He was extremely aggressive, and tried to come inside the house because of the rain (it wasn’t raining anymore). He didn’t like it that I wasn’t interested. He went to several houses on the block with the same loud ‘hellooooo” (likely scouting for vacant houses or checking out the properties now).

Superoptimistic June 19, 2016 (4:57 pm)

..so maybe have the police check out the hotels near the airport.

great idea! Yes, have the police check the hotels near the airport. Maybe also have the police dust your house and sidewalk for prints, and send a sketch artist. And it wouldn’t hurt to drag the lake.

nemobeansmom June 19, 2016 (5:26 pm)

Wow SUPEROPTIMISTIC no need to be so SNARKY

I know from personal experience that these young adults are pressured into selling these magazines and these people who drag them all over the country-side when these young adults don’t sell enough they leave them “here” and they have to find their own way home! So it was just a suggestion to maybe check out the hotels to see if there’s any of these groups staying there and to ask what neighborhoods they’ve been in.

Patricia June 19, 2016 (8:26 pm)

A man came to my door last night around 6:30 pm and I told him before he could solicit that I am very busy right now , it’s not a good time. To which he replied”f@ck you ” ” you fake bitch” and stormed off. He too was wearing a pinkish backpack. Belvidere neighborhood 6/18/2016

Kadoo June 20, 2016 (6:30 am)

Something similar happened to my neighbor on Saturday. Guy was very threatening and wouldn’t leave but then eventually did. Dreadlocks and a backpack. Junction area.

waikikigirl June 20, 2016 (7:40 am)

These sales people sure seem aggressive to put it nicely have any of you that have been confronted by them called the police on them for being threatening? Just wondering if you could???

Argonautter June 20, 2016 (8:39 am)

Take their picture.

South Delridge Gal June 20, 2016 (11:13 am)

I am really sorry to hear about your ring. 😞 I sold Seattle Times subscriptions when I was a kid and I get wanting to hear people out/help those in this dying industry. Now I’m a big believer in keeping strangers off your doorstep. I was bombarded w/solicitors in W Seattle working from home and final straw was when a junkie knocked for homeless donations (w/no ID, etc). I turned her away and watched her walk down steps and towards my backyard not the street. I yelled that she was going wrong way and she turned towards street. I called cops and after talking with them got a no soliciting sign. A few months later a man and woman dressed in fairly official looking fire department uniforms knocked. They said they were partnered w/our fire department and we’re offering complimentary safety checks. I would have said yes but my toddler son was sick and sleeping. They got really pushy and I thought that was strange for fire department. They wanted me to agree to an appt a few hours later. I said not possible because my son was sick. The woman asked if he had the flu and I answered no it’s actually pretty bad bronchitis and she told me how her daughter died of the flu the year before. Her partner shot her a glance and I felt really uncomfortable. I finally got them to leave. Felt so bad that I looked up the company (http://www.redsafety.com/) and called to let them know their employees ignored no soliciting sign, were pushy and had in appropriate conversation with me. The rep said since they were not asking me to pay for anything at door it was not soliciting and I needed a no knocking or ringing the doorbell sign instead. RED Safety comes up in all kinds of online searches and is known by Puget Sound fire departments. They also have reports of some criminal activity by their sales people. Please be safe and do not let these people into your home.

Danielle June 24, 2016 (11:24 am)

Quick update on the ring stolen by the magazine salesman. We heard from the police officer that is investigating and they have seen several reports of this person still in the area but haven’t been able to catch him yet. If you see him, please call the police. We may still be able to catch him.

Trickycoolj June 25, 2016 (9:19 pm)

FYI the salesmen were canvassing High Point yesterday (6/24). I didn’t think to check the doorbell video before answering the door which was stupid isn’t that why I bought a video doorbell?? The guy was super polite and asked tons of questions about what I do and do I believe in second chances and would I like to buy magazines for a local organization on his list etc. red flags the addresses for the local orgs didn’t seem to match like I’m fairly certain we don’t have St Judes in Seattle and there isn’t a correctional facility on 35th SW. I thought maybe for $20 I’d do it for kids or something. When the cheapest was $260 and the most expensive pushing $500 (!!!) and he got super push for cash or check. One I don’t have cash ever and two my checks are so damn old they have an address from 5 years ago I pay everyone electronically. Well how much cash do I have? Maybe that would get just one magazine. That was $90. I thought dude I have like 5 quarters in my wallet. His partner had walked up to help him try and push me he was much older and had a lot of gold in his teeth maybe he’s the boss? They finally left when I was clear I’m on a budget and have zero cash and my boyfriend also wasn’t going to contribute. I later saw him sitting at one of the eastbound bus stops for the 128 on Morgan. He looked at me real close since the light was red, I’m fairly certain he recognized me in the car.

WSB June 25, 2016 (9:23 pm)

Re: the “correctional facility on 35th SW” – not to say your solicitor was, or wasn’t, legit, but there IS a field office of the DOC on 35th near Morgan. Listed under King County: http://doc.wa.gov/facilities/fieldoffice/default.asp

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