WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: More catalytic converters stolen; car vandalized

| Crime | West Seattle news

(update) Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOLEN: Carly reports her parents were visiting her in Admiral when their Prius was hit by catalytic-converter thieves last night It was parked on the street near 42nd/College, by the library.

(added 7:24 pm) AND ANOTHER: Since we published this, Scott emailed to report, “Thieves got my Element converter AGAIN …. 2nd time in about a month. Belvidere area, 5 am Saturday.”

CAR VANDALIZED: A texter reported their partner’s rear car window was shattered by a beer bottle this past Thursday, while parked by her workplace, Les Schwab Tires (WSB sponsor) at Fauntleroy/Alaska. The vandal also “left dents all around the back.”

Flivver June 20, 2021 (6:42 pm)

Saw a news story that more catalytic converters have been stolen so far this year than the past 2 years combined.

flimflam June 20, 2021 (7:42 pm)

Haven’t really seen an answer as far as who is actually buying this stuff from criminals?

Marissa Hamilton June 20, 2021 (7:48 pm)

https://www.change.org/Catalyticconvoff

Mike Reitz June 21, 2021 (6:06 am)

This situation along with a laundry list of other social and criminal activities that has become the norm around here is unacceptable. We have reached the tipping point where this place either goes into recovery mode or people decide to take up residence elsewhere. I don’t know about the rest of the good citizens of West Seattle but I find myself up several times throughout the night looking out over the street wondering if our home and vehicles are about to be the next entry on the blotter. All I can say is come time for elections I won’t be voting for the gang running this circus now where people and property aren’t safe and secure, bridges aren’t maintained and serving the public and roads are so bad your car bottoms out when traveling at the posted speed. It’s unbelievable!

Frog June 21, 2021 (1:57 pm)

Funny thing — even though the quality of life in Seattle is clearly in decline, it’s still supposedly the fastest growing major city, and house prices are still heading for the moon. It must be that somewhere else is even worse. Reminds me of the old joke about escaping bears — you don’t need to outrun the bear; just outrun the guy next to you. Seattle politicians seem to have adapted that wisdom to city governance. They don’t need to run the city well. They only need to run it better than Baltimore: https://www.scribd.com/document/511058781/Letter-to-City-Leaders-From-Fells-Point-Business-Leaders-6-8-21-Final

Get a shield if you can June 21, 2021 (7:49 am)

Sorry to hear more were stolen! :( I just got my catalytic converter stolen at the SeaTac parking garage (I parked right under a light in the garage attached to the airport) last weekend. I didn’t want to leave my car in West Seattle due to my neighbor having theirs stolen recently. SeaTac told me they don’t have security cameras within the parking garage facing the cars, so they aren’t able to do anything or catch folks. Will cost more than 1,500k to replace even with insurance. My used Prius is only worth 2k. Hoping to get a shield and can get in a repair shop soon. Highly recommend owners of Prius or other popular cars to not park at SeaTac parking lot. Good luck!

Sillygoose June 21, 2021 (7:54 am)

This catalytic converter theft is so frustrating. You can buy guards at “GetCatSecurity.com” or NAPA Auto Parts has one called “Cat Clamp”

S.A. June 21, 2021 (11:00 am)

Muffler Shoppe in White Center did mine for a very reasonable price. Get your shields installed, folks! And, let’s find who’s buying these things.

Carole June 21, 2021 (10:05 am)

Manufacturers should add the car’s VIN number to the catconv at the factory during production. Even better, cars should be sold with the catsecurity panel already installed. At a minimum it should be offered as an upgrade at time of sale. Spending $150 at the beginning will save thousands down the road. Pressure car manufacturers.

Thomas June 21, 2021 (2:59 pm)

Stamping the VIN into body parts is what shut down the great Honda Chop Shop lunacy of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. A lot of shops will WELD on a plate over the converter which would provide an additional deterrence, especially if the plate is AR500 armor plate. Lotsa luck with your angle grinder on that stuff. Still waiting for someone to rig up a car with something truly horrific…

Blur Davis June 21, 2021 (8:26 pm)

Its. Not just west seattle either. I live In Ballard and some hyper inconsiderate dookey decided to smash into my right passenger side window. Just to steal my cleaning supplies just 3 days ago

Eldorado June 22, 2021 (8:36 am)

I can’t believe laws aren’t being created to go after those accepting these clearly stolen catalytic converters… as well as the people buying the scrap from them. I mean we regulate the distribution of our yard waste and cardboard recycling more than they regulate stolen goods like catalytic converter’s rare metals. Honestly, it’s not the people stealing them we are after. It’s the people buying them from the thieves… whom in turn sell them to someone (or something) else. This is bigger than the City Council folks. This is automobile industry sized stuff. FBI stuff. Worldwide precious metal shortage stuff. Catalytic converters are being stolen everywhere… not just in West Seattle.

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