WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Tool burglars caught on camera

That image shows the burglars who drove up to, and broke into, Hal‘s shipping container on Beach Drive SW around 12:30 am today and stole tools. The burglary was caught in its entirety on a neighbor’s security camera – it’s not embeddable but you can try watching it here (it worked for us on Mac Safari but not Chrome) – the actual break-in starts just after two minutes into the clip. Hal says, “What was stolen was SnapOn tools, engraved “Snyder” and a SnapOn special edition (Rick Mears) toolbox I believe it is one of 500. Also other tools in the Husky bottom box.” If you have any information about the burglars and/or the stolen property, you can contact SPD and refer to incident #2017-88925.

Guy Olson March 13, 2017 (9:56 pm)

Who knew that stuff was in there? I would start there. I’ll keep an eye out for your tools and those scumbags.

New Thinking Needed March 13, 2017 (10:03 pm)

Looks similar to the older red Toyota someone caught a photo of that was taking mail in Arbor Heights area a couple weeks ago. But that older red Toyota didn’t have a canopy at the time of alleged mail theft.

furor scribendi March 13, 2017 (10:07 pm)

That looks like a 1995 to 1998 Toyota T-100 extended cab truck, with the really long box. Let’s spread the word regarding truck, tools, and two fools who are pretty identifiable here, and with any luck this will get solved sooner than later. Hang in there, Hal!

cjboffoli March 13, 2017 (10:45 pm)

It looks like they dropped something. A box? It’s not there when the truck pulls up but it’s on the ground (behind the driver’s side rear wheel) when they pull away. I wonder if that might provide a clue. Something that fell out of the truck? Otherwise, it seems like a fairly distinctive shell over the bed. I hope that means these guys will be caught quickly.

Hal March 14, 2017 (5:54 pm)

That was a box of tie down straps that were sitting on the box

rob March 14, 2017 (3:14 am)

looked at the picture from the previous story about package theft in arbor heights. pretty sure that is the same pickup, but they have added a canopy to it. it is a 95-98 t-100. the mirrors aren’t chrome and it has aftermarket wheels that are the same size as what it came with, so it is likely not a SR5 model. these are not very common pickups, there will be relatively few in a place the size of west seattle, and fewer still that color, so if you see one you might want to take note of it.

rob March 14, 2017 (3:17 am)

forgot to add, the pickup is probably red. that still image is taken in the dark or under a yard light and that is making it look orange.

Eddie March 14, 2017 (7:38 am)

Glad we have our local Hardy Boys detectin’ all over it.

Eddie March 14, 2017 (7:57 am)

Don’t get me wrong, I feel bad the guy got ripped off. I just find it amusing to see all the amateur sleuthing suggestions that show up for these kind of stories. (“Start with who knew it was there…”).

Mrs.Jones March 14, 2017 (8:25 am)

Eddie…LOL!!!! didn’t you know WS has the best armchair detectives in the City?

unknown March 14, 2017 (8:27 am)

These security cameras can be a good thing and also a bad thing…if these guys ever look at the WSB they now know to not use and to hide this truck.

schwaggy March 14, 2017 (8:46 am)

Funny @eddie – if not us, who? The police – yeah, right…

justme March 14, 2017 (10:27 am)

It’s too bad these two, and other scumbags like them, can’t earn the things they need or want on their own. They have to rely on the hard work of others to acquire things. Pathetic.

Alan March 14, 2017 (10:38 am)

The video did not work for me in Chrome either, but it did work in both Internet Explorer and Edge.

Alan March 14, 2017 (10:48 am)

I found it interesting that the “passenger” in the truck did not get out until after they had been there for four minutes when the driver came to the window and asked him to get out. Then he was the one that covered his face. I would guess that he is the one that knew what was in the container and might be recognized by the owner.

This is a video of a video, which means the quality is poor. I would try to get a screen grab of right after he was asked to get out of the truck, while his face is visible, and blow that up. If Hal doesn’t know him, at least I gave Eddie a laugh.

Harry March 14, 2017 (11:01 am)

The security camera “tracked” the truck but not other passing vehicles; curious. Also, why not look at video from just before this clip, and pick up what should be a very visible license plate number.

ktrapp March 14, 2017 (12:02 pm)

What you’re seeing is someone using a camera to take a video of the footage being played on a computer screen. So the security camera wasn’t “tracking” the truck, the person recording the video on the screen zoomed in on that portion of the video.

Even despite the fact that we’re looking at a recording of a recording, I doubt it’s possible to see the license plate number on the original video. It doesn’t look like anything more than a blob on the screen.
- Matt March 15, 2017 (4:47 pm)
  
  Oh come on, I’ve seen CSI … just try typing “M2*hvkk1” when the video is playing and it’ll enhance and become readable :P

miws March 14, 2017 (11:34 am)

Video didn’t work for me in Chrome either but *did* work in Firefox, although I had to arrow right to move the vid to the center of the screen for unobscured viewing.

Mike

Space Dust March 14, 2017 (4:46 pm)

If the owner offered up some reward money…Might help bring these guys to justice. Sooner than later.

Hal March 15, 2017 (3:31 pm)

I struggle with that… I would think someone would say something because they should. Offering a reward seems a bit like paying protection money. On the other hand I do think people should be rewarded for helping. I would certainly reward someone who got my tools back. It would be worth their time, but I won’t publish the amount.

rob March 14, 2017 (8:23 pm)

with such great veiw of the truck you have to think the police are looking into this you know trucks like this that live near by and all trucks that look like this with in 25 miles. And any one who works for this person with this truck. Its simple detective work

supernova72 March 15, 2017 (11:10 am)

I agree with other folks about the Toyota T-100 model. Not super common and being a color like Orange should stand out. Plus those aftermarket wheels.

I know Eddie quite well. If anyone can sluth this out it will be Eddie. I’ll keep an eye out for that vehicle. I’m assuming they “own” it vs it being stolen given it was spotted before.

Those tools might end up on Craigslist soon.. :(

Alan March 15, 2017 (12:51 pm)

Keep in mind that the truck is not orange but red. As was pointed out earlier, the night-vision messes with the color. Here is what the toolbox probably looked like.

Sorry, comment time is over.