WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shoplift-turned-robbery

| Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

One West Seattle Crime Watch incident to report so far today: A shoplifting case classified as robbery because it turned violent/threatening. It was reported just after 10:30 this morning at the Westwood Village Ulta Beauty store. The initial police summary says three people – two female, one male – were in the store grabbing “many items” and stuffing them into bags. One threatened to shoot store staffers who confronted them, and then claimed he had COVID before lowering his mask as if he was about to spit on the staffers. The trio subsequently fled the store with an estimated $5,000 worth of merchandise. No description in the report we obtained, but police say the store has security video.

Eric1 March 29, 2021 (2:22 pm)

Oh my, I should quit my day job and join this crew stealing beauty products. /s Criminal masterminds at work: “then claimed he had COVID before lowering his mask ” police say the store has security video.

StopCuttingDownTrees March 29, 2021 (2:24 pm)

The violent crime at Westwood Village has gotten way out of control. There have been too many incidents lately where shoplifting has turned into robberies like this. I’ve contacted the company that manages Westwood Village to request better security and increaed SPD presence. We live near the shopping center and we have family members who work there. Their number is 206-322-1610.

justme March 29, 2021 (2:32 pm)

Holy cow, I just stopped by there an hour ago and all they had on the door were signs about the spread of Covid. What a dangerous shopping center that place has become.

jason March 29, 2021 (3:18 pm)

Oh please…
- AlecT March 30, 2021 (9:37 pm)
  
  What does that comment suppose to mean?

Gatewood resident March 29, 2021 (4:13 pm)

My daughter and I were there a few weeks ago on a Saturday when the alarm was going off and we witnessed three teenage girls stuffing boxes of perfume into their tote bags and then laughing as they ran out of the store. I believe employees are told not to engage with the shoplifters while they’re in the store but there obviously has to be a better policy put in place to protect the employees and shoppers and, hopefully, discourage these shoplifting episodes.

Anonymous March 29, 2021 (10:51 pm)

Ulta employee here, it’s policy that the only thing we can do when see somebody shoplifting is to “guest service” them in hopes it’ll make them put it back. Otherwise we have to watch them steal. The other day this lady came in on a personal run, took 3 pairs of shampoos and conditioners, 2 large fragrances and a makeup bag WITH the shopping basket and just walked out the door nonchalantly and drove off. Our store is very small so easy to steal from because if you’re a regular you know we have no security, so pretty much anyone can steal because it’s rate that. there is an authorized Loss Prevention Manager on duty eho would be able to chase them.
- JES April 1, 2021 (9:20 am)
  
  It’s probably not best practice to share this information

Graciano March 29, 2021 (5:10 pm)

Couldn’t spitting on the employee be classified as assault since “he” claimed to have Covid?

WSB March 30, 2021 (11:16 am)

If it had actually happened, yes. There have been other cases pre-pandemic in which that action was considered assault.

Beto March 29, 2021 (5:50 pm)

About 30 minutes ago I walked down Roxbury on the south side of the street and saw several anti-theft tags with the Uta name scattered for about three blocks. I wonder if they’re related to the thieves?

Auntie March 29, 2021 (6:03 pm)

Not so long ago, Westwood Village was a nice place to go. There were lots of different stores (instead of lots of boarded up store fronts) and it was very safe. Now, I hesitate to go there. I certainly wouldn’t wander around window shopping anymore. They really do need to beef up security and do whatever they need to do to get more, varied sorts of shops to open up there. Having Marshall’s, Ross and Target is pretty much “three of a kind.” Too bad we lost the only book store.

Nwe March 29, 2021 (8:05 pm)

Stores at Westwood village seem to have a tough enough time keeping open as it is. How long before ulta decides it’s not worth the continued risk to stay open there?

Justme March 29, 2021 (9:13 pm)

I’m surprised Ross is open until 11pm. I wouldn’t be in that parking lot after dark if I were paid. Not that darkness seems to make much difference anymore.

zipda March 29, 2021 (9:01 pm)

Wild Wild West Wood. Scary place.

BigB March 29, 2021 (9:18 pm)

I vote for SPD surveillance drones. We have the tech to catch these criminals.3 strikes you’re out.The speeding is out of control also. We need more Close Circuit 📷s and electronic ticketing deployed.

WSB March 29, 2021 (9:22 pm)

Westwood Village is awash in electronic surveillance. One of those trailers is close to Ulta.
Ws resident March 29, 2021 (10:15 pm)

You can have all the security footage and SPD presence you want, but if the judges let the thieves out of jail as soon as they get there (and then they don’t show up for court) then nothing is preventing these crimes from actually happening. I recently saw an altercation outside of QFC as well, and the Westwood security was there trying to handle it. Westwood Security is limited to what they can do as well. Businesses downtown have been dealing with this as well, unfortunately.
- Canton March 29, 2021 (11:12 pm)
  
  Yes, spot on. If the courts are gonna allow this criminal behavior, there is nothing we can do with unapossed judicial elections. I’ve seen numerous times, the shoplifting at Qfc. The people shoplifting are young and obviously, not in need. Just a opportunity to get something free.

1994 March 29, 2021 (9:46 pm)

I sure hope these terrible humans are identified from all the video surveillance around there. Maybe their get away car was caught on camera because they probably didn’t travel far on foot…. Pretty pathetic behavior!

anonyme March 30, 2021 (7:33 am)

Some nice people work at WV QFC, but it’s just not worth the risk anymore. Unfortunately, parts of the Junction are beginning to feel the same way. Seattle has always had a seedy side, but it has taken over. We need some grownups in our judicial system.

steve March 30, 2021 (10:03 am)

You need a locked wrought iron case so these scum can’t get any access.Sorry you had to deal with this.

Anonymous March 31, 2021 (6:11 am)

This happens anywhere where higher prices cosmetics are sold! Pharmaca and PCC included, sometimes twice a month. They take at least $3000 each time to sell online. It gets quietly reported so the costumers don’t feel unsafe while shopping. Do not live in denial people.How do I know this? I work in one of them.

1996 March 31, 2021 (10:38 am)

Thefts of that caliber happen at this store about 3 times a week. This is the first WSB is reporting on it because it’s the first one that potentially involved a weapon, but trust and believe this happens a lot more than the public sees

Sorry, comment time is over.