WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Brazen bike theft; car break-ins

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports:

BRAZEN BIKE THEFT: That bicycle was stolen as its owner watched, reports Robert:

My son’s bike was stolen from Schmitz Park Elementary tonight at around 8:20. He was waiting for some friends and put his bike down. A family (dad, mom and 3-4 kids – all under 10) were at the playground The family walked off and then the dad came back and took the bike. He put in the back of his van. My son tried to stop him but no luck.

He gave chase after the van on foot He was calling me and I happened to be a couple blocks away and saw the van with bike in back. I followed but he must have figured it out and took off. I honked a bit and then he really took off so stopped following.

We got several pictures of the van but it appears he took the license plate off. The vehicle was a later model mini van (didn’t get make). Color was silver-ish. The entire back window was taped so might be obvious if you see it. Hoping there is a chance he dumped it as he knew we following him. He drove toward Seaview neighborhood. Or maybe someone saw them at the school and can give a better description?

The bike was a Cannondale Habit 4. A few years old but a nicer mountain bike. He put his Birthday, lawn–mowing money, pressure-washing money toward it, so a tough lesson to learn.

Thanks in advance if you find the bike or see the vehicle.

The police report # is 2020-194353.

CAR PROWLS: Also tonight, this report from Flavia: “I live in the Arroyos neighborhood and had a car break-in at 2:40 in the morning. I am 1 of 3 houses that was hit in the neighborhood. All were car break-ins.”

Nachobeaver June 23, 2020 (12:36 am)

I see this van parked at Roxbury Safeway occasionally and also it parks on the side streets between Roxbury and Henderson off 16th there’s a family living in it usually hanging around the other rv’s on those streets

Brenda June 23, 2020 (1:58 am)

Awful. If I see that van I’m having words with that dad. Unacceptable.

momosmom June 23, 2020 (9:46 am)

Brenda, don’t have words with that Dad if you see them, call 911 and let the SPD do their job.
- West Seattle Hipster June 23, 2020 (11:20 am)
  
  Very unlikely the police will do much. That bike has probably already been transferred to someone else.
  - WSB June 23, 2020 (1:02 pm)
    
    OR it might have been dumped somewhere, as are many, and that’s a big reason we publish reports of stolen bikes, cars, other items. Anyway, someone who thought they saw the van in the Delridge area called police, and just texted again that officers are there now.

Snakehill Mom June 23, 2020 (6:17 am)

That dad is a horrible example to the kids that he is raising. How disgusting. I truly feel for your son.

vlt June 23, 2020 (7:00 am)

How low can a person be to steal a kid’s bike! Hope they catch the bastard!

bridger June 23, 2020 (7:26 am)

That’s a 2005-2007 Honda Odyssey; this photo is from Wikimedia:

JL June 23, 2020 (7:48 am)

I just saw this van at Rite Aid on California Ave two days ago. Man and woman in the van and it was a Honda Odyssey with a busted out back window and taped with what looked like plastic.

Alki resident June 23, 2020 (9:31 am)

I’ve definitely seen that car around lately. I have the day off today. I’ll go look around the area for it. I’ll call police if I see it.

Brenda June 23, 2020 (9:45 am)

Nice!

Mj June 23, 2020 (9:51 am)

Not having a License Plate in itself is illegal, I hope the perp is caught and prosecuted. I detest bike thieves!

Shipwrecked_and_Comatose June 23, 2020 (11:46 am)

I called Seattle police and gave them the necessary info to get your son’s bike back, Robert. I know these people and their very distinct van.

Will June 23, 2020 (12:37 pm)

Truly upsetting. Any description of the thief?

Shawn June 23, 2020 (1:00 pm)

I believe that van is parked on the west side of Delridge between Hudson and puget as of 12:30p

WSB June 23, 2020 (1:06 pm)

Are you the person who called police and texted us? Someone did and then texted to say police are checking it out now.
- DRO June 23, 2020 (1:14 pm)
  
  I was the person who texted you (not Shawn, though maybe he did too). I saw a gray van parked at 24th/Myrtle that roughly matched the description. Missing rear window, but no tape covering it. And it had a license plate on the rear (but not front). I called police and they arrived within 5 minutes. After driving by and circling the block once, they stopped and told me they recall this van having been parked there with a plate yesterday, so they don’t think it’s the same one. But then they went back over and parked and I could see them reading the VIN through the windshield, so the were clearly going to check closer. I didn’t hang around any longer at that point. The van was parked in front of an RV with lots of junk next to it. I saw one bike, but I don’t think it matched the description above.

Robert June 23, 2020 (4:32 pm)

Thanks everybody for your help and/or kind words. We found the car and the home. The police were called but unable to put anything together. Tough situation and bike is already gone.Tough lesson learned by my son but he’ll get over it. Hopefully learn something from it. Be safe.

WS peep June 23, 2020 (7:38 pm)

Am I reading these comments correctly? There is a family with 3-4 young children whose home is their vehicle? Everyone commenting is upset and going after them over a stolen bike? Having something stolen certainly sucks, but who needs the most help here?

Alki resident June 23, 2020 (8:36 pm)

Just because they’re in that situation doesn’t grant them the free will to thieve around town.
WS Sheep June 23, 2020 (9:20 pm)

I would say you for thinking this is remotely ok to do and that we should have compassion for some jackass robbing a kid. . . I don’t really see any mention of them living in said van, and even if they did that still doesn’t make their actions ok.

Are you seriously saying you are going to be ok if somebody robs you if they fit the same circumstances.

Give me a break. . .
Alki resident June 23, 2020 (10:08 pm)

Just because there’s a family living in their car, doesn’t give them the right to steal property of others.
Brandon June 23, 2020 (10:29 pm)

Ok sure, let’s invite anyone into our homes and take anything they need. We all can afford it. Let’s start with all the kids toys because they have really more than they need. You first.
Michael June 24, 2020 (2:15 am)

You have the facts right but why should we rely on a hard working neighborhood child to donate his bike to this needy family?
Left WS because of this June 24, 2020 (1:42 pm)

You might need the most help here if you’re trying to justify that this 8 year old who EARNED his bike should have it stolen all because of some other family’s situation. Shame on you.

KP June 23, 2020 (9:10 pm)

Adverse childhood events – the cumulative collection of significant traumatic episodes over informative years. It is very unclear based on postings, but it appears this is a family of 5 living in a mini van. Hopefully, SPD is accessing CPS and other resources to assist in this investigation. Young children appear to be the victims of this scenario.

Gretchen June 25, 2020 (11:21 am)

This van is parked on the first block of 51st street nearest schmitz park elementary right now. License number license #aqb2710

stolenbikesseattle July 9, 2020 (5:13 pm)

I’m the bike Ambassador for http://www.bikeindex.org – it’s a free bike registration database. I work with local police and partners to help return stolen bikes back to their owners. Did you happen to have the bike registered or did you buy it previously through a bike shop that registered it.Cheers

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