WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Junction smash-and-grab suspect charged; another catalytic-converter theft

SMASH-AND-GRAB SUSPECT CHARGED: Last month we reported on a smash-and-grab theft at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction. Now the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged a suspect. 22-year-old Christopher A. King of Renton is charged with 2 counts of first-degree theft, in this case and a March incident at a jewelry store in Tukwila. The documents say he has a record including burglary and auto theft and just got out of prison in January. While the thief wore a disguise (security-video framegrab above) while smashing a display case and bolting with $36,000 in jewelry, the charging papers say King was identified thanks to the store employee who reviewed video and found a store visitor earlier in the day, undisguised, with the same clothing, shoes, watch, and hair (as shown here). That image was in turn circulated among law-enforcement officers and one recognized King. He is not in custody; there’s a $10,000 warrant out for his arrest.

ANOTHER CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT: Kimberly reports a catalytic-converter theft overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, near 47th/Hinds. (We have a followup question out asking what make/model of car.)

Chris August 21, 2020 (10:38 am)

Our neighbor’s catalytic converter was also stolen from a prius, Wednesday night/Thursday morning at Hanford and 45th Ave SW

M August 21, 2020 (10:59 am)

I bought an appropriate model shield for my ’07 Prius; I hope it’s an effective deterrent! https://getcatsecurity.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkaGDwu6s6wIVmx-tBh2xagjVEAAYASAAEgL5-vD_BwE
It was installed at Burien Japanese Auto, so they will be familiar with them.

K.R. August 21, 2020 (11:06 am)

My neighbors Catalytic converter was stolen from a Prius many weeks ago off of Fauntleroy Way (>.<) Incident # 20-192638 Officer Biltke 8813

Sillygoose August 21, 2020 (11:50 am)

Just got out of PRISON in January!!! BRAVO to the officer who has a steel trap memory and recognized this guy.
On another crime involving Wyatt Jewelers have those two men been arrested yet?

Alex S. August 21, 2020 (3:06 pm)

Amazing that anti-police activists now blame “the system” for these serial revolving-door criminals’ actions. As if giving thieves no punishment at all will somehow help them leave the criminal underground and actually do something positive with their lives. Enabling and excusing criminals and criminal activity does more damage to the criminal than anybody else. De-policing will also more violence, destruction and death in disadvantaged communities; those with resources will simply move to more remote enclaves, achieving the exact opposite outcome that activists are supposedly working for. There’s a reason leftist tactics and policies almost always fail. It will only take a decade or two for these kiddos to figure out they were duped.

TJ August 21, 2020 (3:42 pm)

Yep…thieves love them Prius cats. From what I understand, they have more of the coveted rare earth minerals in them than other vehicles due to their strict emission goals.

payattention August 21, 2020 (5:15 pm)

One of the big reasons crime’s like this continue is that no one is willing to hold the scrap yards accountable. They continue to buy without asking any questions. Put a couple of these people in jail for buying stolen property and you’ll see action. Until then crooks know they’ll have cash buyers waiting for them

Sister August 21, 2020 (6:05 pm)

As the victim’s sister I can attest that the catalytic converter was stolen from a Prius.

Prius owner August 22, 2020 (11:19 am)

The catalytic converter was stolen from our Prius at 49th and Hinds this past week as well. It’s been parked in the same spot for years and it never happened before.