WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 reader reports

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

VANDALISM/THREAT: An Alki resident says someone threw a baseball rock through her window around 11:30 pm Thursday night, with a threatening note, addressing her by name, wishing her children harm, and using a misogynistic slur. Police report is 2020-245673.

ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT: The thefts continue. Just got a note from Jason in the 4100 block of 54th SW:

At approximately 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, 8/23/2020, a catalytic converter was stolen off my Toyota Prius parked on the street. Neighbors who heard a scraping sound woke up to investigate saw a white van with a roof ladder rack and one ladder attached drive south on 54th Ave SW with its lights off. A police report has been filed.

CAR PROWL: From James:

Last night, 10:15 pm. 100th Street right up from 35th Ave. We’ve been hit several times by prowlers (I assume same person, because there was a brazenness to his behavior this time. He’s taken kids’ bikes, jackets, and anything else he can take.)

This time he got my wallet from my car. I saw him walking into the driveway and by the time I walked out he was already walking away saying, ‘I was looking for a friend, I didn’t do nothing wrong’ and then he walked quickly away from me west on 100th. At that point I didn’t know if he was armed and I didn’t realize I had left my wallet in the car so I just let him walk away (he gave off a creepy vibe).

He had a dark hood on, a face mask, and very difficult to see any identifying features. Police report being filled out. They didn’t send anyone by. I just wanted to let you guys know so our neighbors can be aware and take precautions.

6 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 reader reports"

  • 1994 August 23, 2020 (10:04 pm)

    James – any further description you can provide of the car prowler in Arbor Heights? Height estimate, slim, average build, heavy build, other clothing colors? Mask color? Sorry your wallet was taken – what a pain!

  • ACG August 23, 2020 (11:22 pm)

    Why all the catalytic converters thefts recently?  It feels like we’ve been hearing a lot lately. And if my memory serves me- seems like a lot of Prius’s?  Why is that?

    • TJ August 24, 2020 (12:03 pm)

      Prius cat converters have the highest amount of rare-earth minerals, making them the most valuable on the black market. Hence the reason Prius’ are targeted.

  • Andrew Krom August 24, 2020 (5:11 am)

    The contents of the CAT are exoctic metals. If enough of them are collected, it’s a tidy sum.

  • Flo B August 24, 2020 (7:10 am)

    ACG. To make them work converters use platinum and rhodium in them. Those metals are worth money. Because Prius’s  use battery power at times the converter gets less use-ergo better condition of the metals and better selling price. Big problem: scrap yards don’t ask questions and the crooks know it.  

  • nf August 24, 2020 (1:38 pm)

    Holy cow. I’m horrified about the rock through the window. I hope they can be identified. That must have been terrifying.

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