WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: More bicycle thefts, plus a car break-in with outdoor gear stolen

Earlier this week, package thefts were rampant, and right now it seems to be bicycles – be sure yours is secured. In addition to the two stolen bicycles in this earlier item, we’ve received these three reader reports since then:

JUST IN – BIKE THEFT IN RIVERVIEW: Dannie texted this moments ago: “A 20-30 something (person with) longer-blonde-dyed hair, black spaghetti strap tank top, black baggy pants, overnight bag, stole my husband’s black mountain bike from in front of our home. SHE WAS LAST SEEN RIDING SOUTH ON 12th AVE SW.” Dannie called 911 and says police are currently searching too.

BIKE THEFT IN ARBOR HEIGHTS AREA: Jon says his wife’s teal Cannondale bicycle was stolen between 8:30 pm last night and 12:30 am today. “It has an older made-in-the-USA frame and a heavy-duty double-kickstand. If you find it, please let us know, 206-915-9721.”

CAR BREAK-IN: Received today from Michael, who was visiting West Seattle when someone broke into his car: “On the evening of 7/28/17 or the early morning of 7/29/17 my vehicle was broken into in front of my friends’ home while I was house sitting for them. They live on 20th ave SW. The contents taken included a orange North face pack (Terra 65L), a black diamond tent (mega mid), a Kelty sleeping bag (cosmic 20), a two tone blue Outdoor research jacket (diode), a red Outdoor Research hard shell jacket (Whiteroom) and a orange neo air xlite thermarest sleeping pad. The case number is 17-277635. My number is 4106523961. I work as a guide and an outdoor educator for youth so this person is messing with my livelihood.”

Orca July 30, 2017 (6:32 pm)

If you are missing a bike..take a look at the homeless camp under the bridge at the 1st Ave off ramp. I often walk though there as a shortcut.

There are almost always 20 plus bikes there..sometimes in piles…sometimes all hanging a row like a store.

I feel pretty confident that those are not legally purchased bikes and I have not heard of anyone giving decent bikes away.

Eddie July 30, 2017 (6:56 pm)

So Orca, we should just walk up and start rummaging through the pile of bikes? While I don’t disagree that more than a couple of them don’t have a receipt to account for their purchase, good luck digging in without some SPD backup standing by.

rob July 30, 2017 (7:58 pm)

back in the day when i lived in hawaii the state required all bikes had to purchase a Lic. The owner would provider SN# and a discription of the bike. This would help pay for bike related road issues and the best part was when a bike was stolen the police had the SN# and what the bike look like when out on patrol. So if we did this here in seattle all the cops would have to do is walk into these camps with this info and spot a stolen bike just like that.

Rick July 31, 2017 (2:19 am)

On Schofield Barracks there if you screwed up bad enough to get the attention of the Military Police your parents would know about it before you even got home, a lot of the time. I think a lot of the resistance to licensing/registration are folks that don’t want to be held accountable. You also got your stolen bike back quite often as you couldn’t take a bike off base without ID (which was required).

Mister July 30, 2017 (8:46 pm)

That homeless encampment at first and Spokane has grown and has more structures. There are at least 20 bicycles in various states of assemblage – or – disassemblage.

It certainly appears like a chop shop for bikes. Sketchy

I would not approach that encampment unless I was Charles Bronson.

Cheese July 30, 2017 (8:46 pm)

My pacific coast bmx was stolen from the alaska junction safeway by a trio (two dudes, one chick) who drove up in a blue astro van and took off with it. I was inside for less than 3 min. $50 to anybody who can take me to it(the bike)

face less July 30, 2017 (9:06 pm)

I see a ton of expensive bikes at the homeless camps. And the cops should go down there and confiscate the bikes that are stolen. They belong to the person that purchased them and we should not be ok with homeless theft. We are paying taxes to get them help but stealing should not be tolerated.

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