WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Mail-truck thieves on video; stolen Audis; Admiral stabbing followup

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

MAIL TRUCK THIEVES ON VIDEO: Thanks to Deb for the tip on this – she first reported:

… Our awesome postal carrier out of Westwood Village said his colleague’s mail truck was stolen from around Seaview Methodist Church today and dumped blocks away with undelivered and collected mail taken out of the truck. Police and the Post Office were alerted. The people who dumped the mail truck were observed by a neighbor in the 6500 block of 49th Avenue SW who said they got into a silver 2 door Audi, License ADT—-

We were trying to get the report from police today when the US Postal Inspection Service tweeted this:

🚔🚨🚨Reward🚨🚨🚔
Do you know who these people are?? If you know who stole this mail 🚐 in West Seattle yesterday please call our tipline 206-748-5430💰up to $1,000 reward (suspect used unknown device to enter and start 🚐) @Q13FOX @KING5Seattle @komonews @KIRO7Seattle @catchwmw pic.twitter.com/jDWVkXwOGO

— USPIS Seattle Division (@USPIS_Seattle) December 24, 2019

SPEAKING OF AUDIS: From a texter in the Belvidere area:

Let me know if you see our silver S4 Audi wagon around. It was stolen at 6:30 am in front of our house. They left another West Seattle stolen blue Audi. Both have They tried to returned in a third Audi to get the blue one.

We don’t have the plate #’s but we do have an incident # – 19-474605.

STABBING FOLLOWUP: We were finally able today to obtain the report from Sunday night’s stabbing incident in which two teenagers turned up in the Admiral Safeway parking lot with knife wounds that were reported to have happened elsewhere.

(Sunday night photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)

The person with minor wounds to his hand told police he was cut trying to grab the knife from the attacker who had stabbed his brother. Both said it was an unprovoked attack by someone who ran up to them and a group of friends shortly after they left Hiawatha Park. The only description the most seriously injured victim could offer was “an unknown race male, 6 ft tall, medium build, last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.” The victims weren’t sure exactly what street they were on when attacked, but the report mentions that, as we reported Sunday night, a passerby saw it happening at 46th/Stevens.

flimflam December 24, 2019 (4:43 pm)

ok, maybe i’m dense – what would someone possibly think they would do with a mail truck after stealing it?

Jim December 25, 2019 (10:34 am)

I’m equally dense. They drove it to an alley and unloaded all the packages? Continued the mail service and sent the letter carrier home early on Christmas Eve? Took it to a car wash detailed it and returned it? Prank? Mysterious.
AMD December 25, 2019 (11:40 am)

The write-up said the undelivered and picked up mail was taken out of the truck, so it seems like the goal was mass mail theft.
Stupidthieves December 25, 2019 (9:23 pm)

The mail will be used for identity theft. Taking bills, credit card numbers, and anything else with identifying information.

Audionalki December 24, 2019 (5:00 pm)

Seems like someone is targeting older Audi’s. They lack immobilizers so all they have to do is punch out the door lock and ignition. I had my older Audi A4 targeted last month as well but they couldn’t bust the door locks on that one.

Mike December 25, 2019 (9:52 am)

My 2001 Silver Passat Wagon was stolen on Dec 22nd from 38th Ave SW and Juneau. Perhaps they have software to circumvent the old VW/Audi alarms – mine was set. A case has been filed with the police and the car is still missing. Plate number ASU5507.
Lorne Dyke December 26, 2019 (11:34 am)

My silver 2002 Audi S4 (manual tans) was stolen from street in front of my North Admiral house, Dec 20th mid-day. Recovered by WA State Patrol trooper on northbound I5 on-ramp from SW Michigan, about 9:15pm same night. Interior had stolen mail, tools, food debris, and reeked of smoke (not cigarette or cigar). Looked like 3 or more occupants, with cell phone adapters and debris everywhere. Engine was cooked (dealer says pistons cracked), likely over revved by thief that couldn’t drive 6-speed transmission. Seattle PD incident # 19-470414. May be related to neighbor report of abandoned car (likely stolen), on Seattle PD incident # 19-00275376.
Wallace Grommet December 27, 2019 (7:26 am)

Please, everyone, remove your fuel pump relay nightly if you have an older car that is a fat target for theft. I.E. Honda, VW, Toyota etc. so easy to do takes ten seconds, and your car is rendered undriveable. The relay is the about the size of large walnut, and pops in and out quickly.

Guy December 24, 2019 (6:23 pm)

That’s probably that stolen Audi.

A. Nom December 25, 2019 (4:07 am)

The dude that stole the truck also had on a black hoodie.

jamacaiaiscool@gmail.com December 24, 2019 (7:53 pm)

Yes, our Audi A4 had drivers door lock punched but they couldn’t break in in central WS week of 12/15.

Poppy December 24, 2019 (8:19 pm)

My 2006 model lexus was stolen from a secured parking garage this morning

John December 25, 2019 (10:49 am)

Isnt mail theft Federal crime? Hope they get caught.

WiseWoman December 25, 2019 (12:26 pm)

It’s possible that they’ve worked prior at an Audi dealership or parts department. Or have one of those boopers that unboops your alarm because your fob is accessible if not in freezer.As far as mail truck being stolen. This is not that unusual. There are even cases of mailmen/women who have stolen mail. It’s that time of year. Its Brazen but looks like a regular thief so you know they have a record.

Mj December 25, 2019 (1:49 pm)

John yes I believe it is a Federal crime, and I suspect Federal prosecutors are more apt at prosecuting perps vigorously.

David Bryant December 25, 2019 (6:32 pm)

As a retired letter carrier, I resent the implication that the theft of the mail truck was an inside job. Yes, it has been known to happen (like any other business), but it is very rare, and it certainly was not the case involved here! 99.99 % of USPS employees seriously ascribe to “the Sanctity of the U.S. Mail.” We have to take an oath upon employment.Why would a mail truck be stolen for its mail and parcels? Well, that’s easy! The intent of stealing parcels from a mail truck is the same as stealing parcels from your porch. Stealing letters with checks, gift cards, X-Mass money from grandma is also pretty easy to figure out.It is my guess (and I emphasize “guess”), is that the thief had been observing the carrier on his route and knew exactly how long he would be away from his truck while delivering mail at this particular location. The thief obviously has previous experience in “boosting” vehicles. The Postal Police will apprehend this thief in short order. And he will be charged with a Federal Crime, found guilty, and spend a few years breaking rocks at Leavenworth Penitentiary.

pat davis December 26, 2019 (5:54 pm)

A 2008 Sprinter high top van was STOLEN VEHICLE IN NORTH ADMIRAL around 1:15 a.m. Tues Dec 17. Readers: go to SPD website and look at the 911 calls: WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE IN WEST SEATTLE: multiple vehicles being stolen (now the post office truck as well). The Sprinter had Car Toys security system and should have had the horn, the headlights and massive sound. NOTHING: The thieves are professionals and got the van started in under a minute with no damage to the window or ignition. The apple device stolen (it is a van that a WSU student lives in….poverty level….) they quickly had his APPLE ID, phone number and security IMMEDIATELY CHANGED. These are professionals: not just for an Audi. BEWARE !

mod2000 December 27, 2019 (9:49 am)

My 2001 Passat Wagon (manual trans) is still missing – stolen December 22nd. Have any of the Audi’s been recovered?

mod2000 December 28, 2019 (12:57 pm)

The Passat Wagon was found in White Center this morning. Driver door lock and ignition punched out. The guy who called it in said three guys removed the wheels and took off in a green Audi – probably also stolen.

Audiowner January 2, 2020 (10:24 pm)

My 2002 Audi A6 was broken into on Christmas Eve, right at the time of this report and they destroyed my driver door loch and ignition, leaving behind a needle-nose pliers on the seat. The windows were half open and I had to have it towed. The police discovered it and cane to my door. My fob key still works, but I haven’t a clue as to why the security alarm didn’t scare them off. A sketchy vehicle was seen by a neighbor the night before by my neighbor and raced off when he drove up. It was a small Japanese car with different colored parts and something he called wings. I hope the cops catch them because this has really been damaging to my life. I hope this helps!

Sorry, comment time is over.