West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen shrubbery; ripped-off rings …

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports today:

STOLEN SHRUBBERY: From C:

Heads up to our West Seattle neighbors: These are what is left of the 8 shrubs we planted in June.

Someone has made two trips to dig up 5 of them. Probably only a matter of time until they come back for the rest. We are out $600. We suspect someone doing a landscaping job cutting their expenses. If you hired someone who charged you for these, we have all been ripped off. People, this is why we can’t have nice things.

RIPPED-OFF RINGS: Watch for these rings in online listings, pawn shops, etc.:

They belong to a West Seattle couple who are getting married in a week and a half … and are now ringless. Their friend Wil sent the photo; Wil says the rings were stolen from the couple’s car in a parking garage on First Hill. If you see one or both, contact police.

Todd August 17, 2016 (11:20 am)

So frustrating. We used to live on the corner of Edmunds & Rutan where thieves stole plants from our front yard. Never found out who was responsible. Sorry this happened to you.

JanS August 17, 2016 (11:23 am)

I am so sorry that those beautiful rings were stolen. It’s a reminder that…if you value it, do not leave it in your car….the evil among us will definitely take advantage :(

AceMotel August 17, 2016 (11:40 am)

Stealing shrubbery right out of the ground? That’s cold. And lazy. It’s so easy to start a plant.

dsa August 17, 2016 (11:51 am)

Are you saying five photinia cost $600? Or did they steal something else? I’m not understanding, but this crime is despicable whatever the cost. I had it happen a number of years ago and worry about a re-occurrence.

Carole August 17, 2016 (1:04 pm)

The $600 was for purchase and labor/installation by a landscaper as part of a full landscaping project. These were not small starter plants. They were close to three feet tall when installed.

Seattlite August 17, 2016 (1:04 pm)

I hope the couple recover their rings. My continuous mantra: never, ever leave anything in your car, not even an empty envelope. Thieves are lurking everywhere and will even go after an empty envelope left on a car seat.

Carole August 17, 2016 (1:06 pm)

And we purchased 8 photinia. Waiting for the final three to disappear overnight as well. Any replacement (perhaps with thorny plants next time) will again include labor.

dsa August 17, 2016 (2:35 pm)

It’s hard to see how tall they are in the photo. Again I’m sorry this happened. I suggest much smaller plants as they would be less desirable to theft and photinia grow quickly once established. You might be able to enlist some free help if needed for small ones.

dsa August 17, 2016 (3:03 pm)

I forgot to add, that once established with longer roots, they are harder to be lifted out and transplanted with survival, so also less likely to be swiped.

NW August 17, 2016 (7:41 pm)

Just the record, I rescue mostly native plants in the area. If you see me digging up plants in my high visibility vest I am doing it on a property that is soon to be leveled and built upon. I encourage you to contact property owners ,as I always try to do, and rescue and reuse plants that would otherwise be destroyed. My preference are sword ferns and I have a growing collection and most are thru permission of resident or owner.

mary August 17, 2016 (8:08 pm)

My personal thought on the theft of the Photinia’s may be a blessing in disguise… they grow extremely quick and are notorious for diseases and drop leaves that do not decompose!

And I do not condone the theft in any way!

anonyme August 18, 2016 (7:44 am)

What Mary said. Photinia are a curse, and are not suitable for the location shown in the photo, as they will eventually be trees no matter what you do. I think you need a new landscaper. Plant some William Penn barberry – nobody will steal those, they’re evergreen, and they look nicer as well. Excellent ‘barrier’ plant.

junctioneer August 21, 2016 (8:49 pm)

The theft is deplorable. I guess it couldn’t have been a neighbor? Photinias are atrocious, and I’m certainly not the only one that thinks so.

They are more often than not a rookie plant–they quickly get over-large, ugly shaped, and have little redeeming value. Quite surprised a landscaper used them. Also–they are extremely common, grow quickly, and are cheap. I’d be more concerned about being ripped off by the landscapers. $600 is truly outrageous.

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