CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Reader points police to Mercedes used by catalytic-converter thieves

Just yesterday, we reported on a daylight catalytic converter theft in a West Seattle Junction parking lot – with a passerby’s photo of a black Mercedes that the thieves had pulled up alongside the targeted Element. Today, a WSB reader spotted that Mercedes at 39th/Juneau and called it in (the dispatcher told officers the caller had read about it here). Officers responded and called for a tow truck to impound the car so the Major Crimes Unit can investigate it. They told us they hadn’t yet verified whether the car was stolen, but they called it “suspicious,” noting that potential theft tools including a jack were in plain view inside.

bolo June 25, 2021 (1:09 pm)

The reader/caller deserves a gold star!
And the WSB is a precious local gem!

Rob June 25, 2021 (1:10 pm)

Drove by a parked teal blue Mini Cooper with a jack adjacent to it just lying there out into the road at the SW corner of California and Charlestown around 7:45am today. Anyone know why the jack was lying in the road?

Eric1 June 25, 2021 (1:18 pm)

Wow. Mom is going to be mad when she finds out that her car was towed. If it was a stolen vehicle, he would have likely taken his work tools out.

shotinthefoot June 25, 2021 (1:45 pm)

noice! can’t get away with anything when you have the WSB and their readers on the case.

J June 25, 2021 (1:55 pm)

Looks like the car has a Lyft logo in the front window too.

dhg June 25, 2021 (1:57 pm)

It has a handicap card in the window! That might be stolen as well but it might be evidence.

scubafrog June 25, 2021 (2:07 pm)

Oh that would be poetic :)

Al King June 25, 2021 (2:12 pm)

Rob,all. When you see a situation like this that looks out of place PLEASE call 911 first then post in WSB. Doesn’t mean police will come right away but it will be logged and WSB readers will be made aware. This may be an innocent issue but calling attention to it may provide clues to getting a bad guy caught. And, getting a bad guy(or gal) caught and off the street may save YOU from being the next victim!!

2 Much Whine June 25, 2021 (2:13 pm)

With a handicapped parking pass no less. One has to wonder if a legitimate handicap is causing the thief to steal to survive or if the use of a perhaps stolen parking pass is yet another example of the poor decisions this person makes. I have my suspicions but somehow the fact that the person is driving a Mercedes points me in a less than empathetic direction.

Susan Pryde June 25, 2021 (9:42 pm)

is causing the thief to steal to survive

Nobody has to steal to survive. Some people might feel the need to steal to maintain a way of life they enjoy having but don’t want to pay or work for, but I guarantee you nobody is dying because of a lack of stolen catalytic converter money. Stop looking for reasons to justify crime. There is always an alternative.
Adam June 25, 2021 (10:00 pm)

I’m amazed that you’d be able to make any judgement based on their choice of vehicle. That’s absurd, an incredibly ridiculous bias that has no basis in anything. The one likely thing we can figure is that a handicapped person who drives a Mercedes is likely the victim of a theft of an item worth tens of thousands of dollars. But I’m sure you have a very virtuous reason for your feelings.

anonyme June 25, 2021 (2:15 pm)

It’s too bad you can’t attach some kind of exploding dye pack on catalytic converters.

kg June 25, 2021 (2:31 pm)

They would have got away with it if it wasn’t for those meddling West Seattle Blog Amateur Detectives.

Mj June 25, 2021 (3:16 pm)

In the unlikely event the perp owns the vehicle it would be nice for the system to force a sale and use the proceeds for restitution of the victim(s)

This June 25, 2021 (3:33 pm)

Are car security cameras a thing?

Carson June 25, 2021 (4:38 pm)

I love when the community comes together. It would be great if the thieves decided West Seattle wasn’t worth the hassle

Chuck Jacobs June 26, 2021 (4:04 am)

This is great! Now do the West Crest Park burglars.

wseaturtle June 26, 2021 (5:30 pm)

A Dodge Stratus (year 2004?) Silver or Metalic Gray, has been hitting numerous West Seattle cars. If anyone knows where there is a car fitting this description please inform the police. Here’s one video of him from May 18th(see link), and there’s more videos if the police are interested.6′ tall white guy, bald head, often wears a cap.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fje8lHuAkk

GayleC June 30, 2021 (4:44 pm)

Is there any follow-up information regarding the Mercedes and the occupants? The Honda with the stolen CC is mine. It has been a week and I’m still waiting for parts. I used to live in West Seattle and am here now on vacation. Fortunately, I can walk most places. Thanks to the WS Blog and it’s readers, the person who captured the images, and the follow up to my police report, I’m hoping this at least got a couple of thieves off the streets even briefly.

Sorry, comment time is over.