WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Delridge burglary search; Lincoln Park car prowl

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

We start this West Seattle Crime Watch report with a search happening now:

DELRIDGE BURGLARY: We’re still collecting details on this but if you’re seeing/hearing the police search in Delridge – they’re looking for a burglar. We don’t have an address yet but the search, with K9, is ranging eastward from Delridge/Juneau, uphill into Puget Ridge. We’ve heard a partial description of the burglar as male, average build, blue and white striped stocking cap, black and white flowered wrap over pants, facial hair. We’ll update when we find out more.

10:43 AM UPDATE: Talked to police in the area. The burglary happened at a house being renovated near Delridge/Findlay. A work crew saw the intruder, who subsequently bolted.

10:50 AM UPDATE: A suspect is reported, via police radio, to be in custody.

LINCOLN PARK CAR PROWL: Lindsey just moved to our area from out of state a week ago. On Monday, a rude “welcome” at Lincoln Park:

My family parked at the lot across from SW Rose Street at Lincoln Park around 4 PM and left at 5:15 PM.

Around 6:45 PM my bank started notifying me of suspicious activity. I called to inquire and discovered someone was purchasing gift cards from stores at Westwood Village: Game Stop, Big Five, Marshall’s, Starbucks, Target, etc. My brother‘s credit cards we’re also stolen and used.

We were able to deduce that we left our wallets in the car during our hike and my husband probably inadvertently left the car unlocked. This person is likely a pro, they probably intentionally target park lots as patrons likely won’t be back at their cars for some time. They took only our credit and debit cards as well as cash and change. They left IDs and such. They only tried to purchase gift cards from the stores, as far as we’re currently aware.

Sillygoose October 23, 2019 (11:04 am)

So sorry this happened to you as a new resident. Lincoln park is notorious for car theft, prowl and break in’s. Seattle statistically has a car stolen every 10 minutes so leave nothing of value in sight if you have to leave it in a public place, park in your residential garage instead of the street. Put cameras around your property and get a ring door bell installed! Welcome to Seattle!

Andrea October 23, 2019 (11:36 am)

I had the same thing happen to me when my son was about 3 (he is almost 21 now). Left the diaper bag in the car in the LP parking lot and my intelligent self had my purse in there. I even parked directly in front of the sign that reads “High Car Prowl Area” which made me feel worse! Learned my lesson and never leave valuables in my car. Sorry this happened, people who steal suck.

NRV October 23, 2019 (11:48 am)

Is the house near Delridge/Findlay on 26th? Is that a house (or more like three row townhomes) that seems to have been under construction but now it seems that it was abandoned and invaded?

WSB October 23, 2019 (12:06 pm)

No, it’s behind what was Martin’s Way.
Jethro Marx October 23, 2019 (7:48 pm)

When you say, “…invaded.” it sounds weird; do you mean someone moved in and wants to eliminate your presence in the neighborhood by force, or do you just mean they live/act/socialize differently than you and you can’t comprehend that? Or do they just not “look” right? #racist@$$/o1e

JT October 23, 2019 (12:07 pm)

It is so sad when this happens to anyone, especially those new to this area. And I wouldn’t assume that the car was inadvertently left unlocked. Sadly, thieves can get into locked cars easily and quickly. The Lincoln Park parking lots are full of signs warning that it is a high “car prowl” area, and to not leave valuables in the car. Unfortunately, people from out of the area might not be familiar with the term “car prowl.” When I moved here from another state several years ago, I had never heard this term for car burglary before. Just like “sun breaks” there are lots of Seattleisms to learn when you’re new. I hope this bad experience turns out to be an exception for these newcomers, and that they find West Seattle as pleasant as friendly a place to live as I have.

old timer October 23, 2019 (12:52 pm)

I agree about the sign terminology. LP should just say “Danger – Take your stuff, Thieves work here” FWIW when I moved here back in the 60’s, the sign that had me totally confused was “PED XING”. I had no clue what a ped xing was.

Marty2 October 23, 2019 (12:34 pm)

When I recently purchased a gift card at the Westwood Village Rite-Aid store, I had to pay with cash. They said this was in response to all the credit/debit card thefts.

Ex-Westwood Resident October 23, 2019 (2:39 pm)

I know for a fact that Target at Westwood has surveillance cameras at each register. Have you, or the police, gone to ask them for a copy, or stills, of the transaction for to get an ID of the scumbag? The resolution of those cameras are FANTASTIC, so a GREAT photo can be obtained.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the other stores also have video surveillance at checkouts.

E.J. October 25, 2019 (8:34 pm)

Unfortunately SPD doesn’t seem to pursue lower level thefts like this.. My mom’s purse was stolen and when she noticed the thieves making purchases at 7-11 in the Junction and Home Depot on Delridge with her card, she told SPD. They never followed up because the value didn’t exceed $750 (what’d take it to a felony). Like others have said, welcome to Seattle…

neighbor October 23, 2019 (5:06 pm)

There has been some pretty scuzzy activity right around the Delridge/Findlay corner for a long time…even with all the food truck activity.

Ceth October 23, 2019 (7:14 pm)

My car has been stolen this month, found, and broke into again. All on Delridgeand nearby streets. I don’t feel happy here anymore. The opioid addicts in South burien are feeding on West Seattle.

momosmom October 24, 2019 (8:26 am)

Ceth, and you know this as fact? “The opioid addicts in South burien are feeding on West Seattle.”

D Del Rio October 24, 2019 (11:43 am)

When I go to Lincoln Park to climb the stairs, I always park a block away hoping that my car wont get hit. I live part-time on the Eastside, and YES there is crime and homeless, but the crime is nothing like it is here or any neighborhood in Seattle. I hate to say it, but I am seriously thinking of selling my house, and live full time in the sterile Eastside city of Kirkland. When I need to work in Downtown Seattle, I will just take the bus. It actually doesn’t take that much longer then it does from West Seattle.