WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business burglary; school theft and vandalism; prowler; scam call; community meeting with police

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

BUSINESS BURGLARY: Coastal Surf Boutique posted online that the store at 3270 California SW was hit by “massive theft” night before last. The police report says it happened around 2:30 am Thursday and that the store’s owner was alerted by security video; police got there fast and detained a possible suspect but he turned out not to be the person seen in the video. We have inquiries out to see if any community assistance is in order. The SPD case # is 21-011014.

SCHOOL HIT BY THEFT, VANDALISM: From Sally at Hope Lutheran School:

We have experienced two tagging events just this week plus one tire of our bus was taken.

They left the jack, plus tagged the bus. This is so frustrating. Before the holiday we noticed that the bus’s catalytic converter was taken, too, which we found to be a “thing” in West Seattle.

PROWLER: Jake sent this security video from Alki: “The guy in this video is creeping around on 61st Ave SW near SW Stevens going through people’s packages.” The video shows the person looking through package boxes, and then photographing them.

(added) SCAM CALL: Thanks to Hiro for the alert:

I received a call from a number identified as Seattle Emergency Management warning that my power would be shut off shortly due to my bill not being paid. I’m on auto pay so I knew it was suspicious right away and logged into their site to confirm but others that may be struggling to pay bills right now may think it’s real, as the recording on the call sounded official.

Here’s what to do if you suspect a scam like this.

CRIME PREVENTION MEETING: Hear from and talk with local police at the first West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting of the year, 6 pm next Tuesday (January 19th). Here’s the link.

Sillygoose January 15, 2021 (3:34 pm)

This is so frustrating all the while he is holding a cordless screwdriver, I wonder what is so heavy in his backpack.

Justahunch January 15, 2021 (5:33 pm)

Recip saw to take catalytic convertors, or just a catalytic convertor.

J January 15, 2021 (3:52 pm)

I hope someone knows who the weird dude on 61st and Stevens is. It looks like he’s scanning the package labels rather than photographing them based on what’s on his screen and where he clicks on the phone. Why would someone do that? A PI? A stalker? A way to get money from someone else’s package? Dunno, seems weird. Really clear video though.

Wsidemom January 15, 2021 (4:08 pm)

Why does the guy in the Alki video photograph the package address. For some type of identity theft?

dsa January 15, 2021 (4:46 pm)

Because he plans to watch the porch for unopened deliveries and it is easier to photo the address than write it down.
- Bill January 15, 2021 (5:26 pm)
  
  Could also be noting what could be stolen in the future
Jack January 15, 2021 (6:22 pm)

Or, he wants to know what you have in your home.
WSlite January 16, 2021 (12:09 pm)

Great video of the box guy at 61st & Stevens. Are people able to scan Amazon boxes to see what items were inside packages? Maybe he will try to call Amazon and say he never received package and they will send again while he waits. Don’t think he can personally get a refund that way? Or maybe he is finding out what is inside house? Either way it’s creepy and I hope someone confronts him about this if homeowner or neighbor sees him again. Personally, I have confronted a guy once in my neighborhood going through someone else’s recycling bin shuffling through thrown away mail and picking some out putting it in his own backpack/rolling suitcase. I video recorded him and asked if he was trying to get personal information. His response was “Why would I do that in broad daylight?” I told him a lot of crime happens in daylight and to move along. Another neighbor yelled at him after I did too. Keep open eyes folks and report suspicious behavior. Let’s help keep West Seattle safe and watch out for one another. Too many bad things happen to good people, but our community can help by staying vigilant. And as always, big thank you to WSB for doing such a phenomenal job keeping everyone informed. Looking at WSB online is my daily routine and I know it is for a lot of other folks too.