WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police find stolen car; vehicle break-in; abandoned bicycle

| Arbor Heights | Crime | Fauntleroy | Highland Park | West Seattle news

STOLEN CAR FOUND: Thanks for the text about a sizable police presence at 16th and Henderson this past hour. Officers were questioning someone after finding a stolen car.

Two reader reports:

CAR PROWL: From Cheryl:

Wanted to let you know that I filed a police report on 12/12 regarding a break in of my car parked in front of my apartment building (in the 3500 block of) SW Ocean View Drive, Arbor Heights. They took several personal items including leather gloves (which were in a compartment), my phone holder, CDs (in the trunk) and my handicap parking permit (in the side compartment of my door). Other silly items taken as well.

ABANDONED BICYCLE: Lisa says this has been on a Fauntleroy corner for almost two weeks:

Yours? Let us know.

Timothy Bonynge December 19, 2017 (5:57 pm)

My 1992 Honda Accord LX was stolen 12/18/17. I filed a police report and have an incident #. Was wondering if the found stolen car on 16th and Henderson was mine. It was parked behind my apt. at 4030 California Ave SW when stolen.

Alki Resident December 19, 2017 (6:37 pm)

The pic of the car is posted. Definitely not a Honda Accord.
WSB December 19, 2017 (6:46 pm)

Timothy – I’m sorry about your car. Please e-mail us the info and we can post in the next Crime Watch – include the color, plates, and incident #. Meantime, if police had found your car, they would have contacted you – first thing they do when finding a stolen car, in the many calls we hear, is contact the owner and also they report in to dispatch on whether the owner had wanted the car impounded when found (as opposed to having it left at the scene for the owner to pick up) and whether owner had given an OK for it to be searched if found. Those are checkboxes when stolen-vehicle reports are taken, I believe. Anyway, we’re at editor@westseattleblog.com … TR

Alki Resident December 19, 2017 (6:17 pm)

Is this a blue Toyota Corolla the police found?

WSB December 19, 2017 (6:25 pm)

Patrick said it was a green Toyota but we went after a scanner call about a gold Nissan (taken from Normandy Park)…
- Alki Resident December 19, 2017 (6:40 pm)
  
  Pretty sure it’s the Toyota I called on right before they found him. He was parked in my apartment garage in Gatewood. He was cracked out and sketchy. He was sitting in a hidden area of our garage in the car fiddling with wires where the radio should be. He peeled out very fast once I called police. Plates were stolen.
  - WSB December 19, 2017 (6:44 pm)
    
    Now that I can zoom in on the car in Patrick’s original photo, it says CAMRY across the back.
    - Alki Resident December 19, 2017 (7:05 pm)
      
      Ok I’m pretty sure I called in a Corolla. Thanks for looking.

David December 19, 2017 (6:56 pm)

Neighbor caught a guy on camera trying car doors on Forest CT SW Sunday AM. Anyone seen walking the streets with backpack after midnight should be stopped and searched.

Alki Resident December 19, 2017 (7:07 pm)

Everyone carries backpacks these days. There’s no reason to search anyone and everyone with a backpack. Not logical at all.

Seattlegov December 19, 2017 (7:33 pm)

Here’s a reason for you, we have the highest property crime in the nation. There’s nothing wrong with being stopped and asked a few questions at that hour, it’s common practice in a lot of areas.

psps December 19, 2017 (9:02 pm)

LOL. “we have the highest property crime in the nation”
RickB December 19, 2017 (9:08 pm)

Absolutely not.

US Constitution, Fourth Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Washington State Constitution, Article 1, Section 7

No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law.
- Alki Resident December 19, 2017 (9:21 pm)
  
  Rick thank you, can’t help but feel sorry for Seattlegovs ignorance and lack of education.
  - Seattlegov December 20, 2017 (8:46 pm)
    
    Stopping someone and talking to them is not against the 4th amendment.
    
    Highest among major cities.
    
    “As Gene Balk explains in the Seattle Times,
    the claim is only true if we look at the top 20 “major cities” in the
    U.S. If you look at more cities, Seattle’s ranking drops.”
    
    https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/10/20/25485052/update-seattle-does-not-actually-have-the-highest-rate-of-property-crime-in-the-nation
    
    If we had any sort of police patrol activity in this area, the fork lift thefts of atms would not occur. Those take a bit of time, and are extremely loud.
    Enjoy reporting the prowlers.

22blades December 20, 2017 (6:27 am)

I have had my car broken into without forced entry a number of times. I keep nothing in it at night so nothing gets stolen or broken for that matter but it is still a violation. This is how they do it…

http://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/16435/watch-thieves-steal-this-mercedes-by-hacking-its-keyless-start-system?iid=sr-link8

I keep my keyfobs in a Faraday Box and it seems to have stopped it. You can build, and test one yourself.

Furor Scribendi December 20, 2017 (9:35 am)

Rick B and Alki Res, your absolutism is misplaced. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with police contacting anyone and asking them questions at any time, if police feel the person is acting suspicious or matches the description of someone wanted for a crime. It’s their job, and the law. If the contact confirms their suspicions, then they can detain the person they contact and arrest them if necessary. If not, the contact ends and the person is free to go.

Elle Nell December 20, 2017 (10:13 am)

No Furor, there IS something wrong with police stoping you at their leisure…that is different than probable cause. Your twisting them together.

Furor Scribendi December 20, 2017 (11:35 am)

Elle N, nothing is wrong with police contacting anyone, anytime. Being detained, or arrested without probable suspicion or cause, is a problem. Hope that untwists it for you, Nell.

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