WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package/mail theft, including an arrest; camping gear taken in burglary

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

MAIL/PACKAGE THEFT ARREST: Southwest Precinct police report this happened Thursday:

A witness in the area of 26th Ave SW and SW Findlay Street observed a male taking packages from the porches and mailboxes. Officers responded to the area very quickly and located the male. The male was found in possession of approximately 40 pieces of mail and three packages that did not belong to him. Officers arrested the male for Felony Mail Theft and then delivered the packages back to the rightful houses.

MORE MAIL STOLEN: We don’t know if there’s any connection with what was found in that arrest, but we also got this report from Deanna on Thursday: “Several mailboxes were looted sometime during the night of 1/6 or early morning 1/7 on the 9000 block of 14th Ave SW. Some mailboxes were left open after being (emptied) of their contents, including one locked mailbox that was wrenched open by the perpetrator. An incident has been opened with USPS.”

GARAGE BURGLARY: From Guy:

I wanted to report a break-in to my place (sometime on the night between 1/5-1/6). My garage (close to the intersection of Delridge & Thistle) was broken into and lots of my hiking & camping gear was stolen. I realize it’s a long shot, but perhaps anyone will spot any of these items for sale somewhere? Or maybe someone on the block has a street-facing security camera and caught anything on tape? The big-ticket items that were stolen include (photos linked):
Osprey Volt 60L, blue
Osprey Manta 34L, black
Patagonia Petrolia 28L, red
Northface Stormbreak 3-person tent, yellow
Exped Megamat 10, green
REI camping table
Ski Helmet & Goggles, light blue
These are the items that I figured might be easy to spot; the rest are all smaller hiking items such as gloves, hats, boots, etc.

WSMom January 8, 2021 (8:57 am)

Thank you, SPD.

waughtown January 8, 2021 (9:27 am)

Hello Guy, sorry to hear about your break-in. Can you tell us how they got into your garage? It may help others including myself improve our garage security.

Chris K January 8, 2021 (11:18 am)

I am sorry about the break-in, but it sounds like someone looking for items to keep themselves warm and dry during the winter. We do not know the motivations of the individual involved, but we need to show some compassion for those without the comforts of a home.

Guy January 8, 2021 (12:09 pm)

I suspect it was my own stupidity, I took out the trash late at night and might have forgotten to close the garage door behind me – at least that’s my guess. Same thing happened to my neighbor a few months back (he had a security camera recording the whole thing but I don’t think the person was ever caught). Interestingly, both of our garages are *not* visible from the street at all (its a complex of townhouses and the garages are facing the shared inner region). So either someone is regularly walking up and down driveways looking for an easy target, or maybe someone from a nearby building with view of our garage saw that its open and decided to help themselves to our stuff :/

Beach drive resident January 8, 2021 (3:47 pm)

We recently had a break in as well on the 4200 block of beach drive. We had Amazon install a key fob on our door so they would be able to place packages into our mail room without anyone being home. We thought this was better than just leaving the packages outside until someone was able to bring them in. However our mail room door has a glass door. So Someone, in all their wisdom, kicked our door open at night get to the packages. If you have an Amazon key fob and have a glass door, I recommend removing the packages as soon as they arrive or somehow cover your door window so people cannot look in. If you had Amazon install a fob (condos) IMO, it may be better to just have the package stolen from outside, than to have your door kicked open and your packages stolen. Stay safe everyone

ML January 8, 2021 (4:17 pm)

We recently had someone break into our back yard through a locked fence and steal a number of camping items as well, camp table, chairs, lanterns etc. I suspect they are all being put to use at some encampment around here.

wayfaring strangers January 8, 2021 (7:20 pm)

Homeless folks are often first blamed for any number of crimes, that most would not actually do. Please consider that not all those who are homeless are thieving criminals, and not all housed people are not thieving criminals.

fyi January 9, 2021 (10:01 am)

Felony mail theft in WA state is considered a Class C felony, the lowest felony charge (A & B are higher). If convicted, a Class C felony can result in up to 15 years in prison with a minimum of one year.

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