WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Double damage in Westcrest Park car break-in

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

The report and photos are rom Amy:

Our car was the unfortunate target in the high-car-prowl area at Westcrest Park today. We were parked in the playground lot between 1:15-2:15 pm.

The thieves broke out two windows (passenger side and left rear), ripped out the rear privacy screen, and took a cell phone. Everything else was left intact. We were able to track the time of the break-in as well as their route due to the GPS locator on the phone, and tracked the phone to the last known location, just a few blocks away at SW Barton between 16th and 17th Aves SW though were not able to recover it.

Reporting to help others be aware… it was a cool and rainy afternoon, lot was not busy at all, but no observed obvious car sitters when we pulled in.

A police report has been filed.

Person June 6, 2021 (9:38 pm)

That lot is the only place I’ve ever had a car broken into. There were even multiple construction workers eating lunch and parents with kids around. Will never park there again. Worth parking in the other lot and walking through the dog park.

Elton June 7, 2021 (10:57 am)

Where is the other lot? I assume the lot the OP was referring to was at the south end of the park, by that tiny playground with only a couple of play items. I wasn’t aware there was a second lot?
- Amy June 9, 2021 (7:34 pm)
  
  Hi, OP here… this lot is the larger lot by the field next to the upper main playground, accessible via Cloverdale and 8th Ave SW. We were trying to avoid the lower dog park lot as THAT one has definitely been the known target of many break-ins among dog park regulars. It seems they are all targets at this park; it’s really terrible. Cameras need to be installed, and additional patrols would be helpful, though I have been here many times where there have been multiple cars, families, traffic and even a mounted patrol, and yet have observed some really sketchy activity happening between the restrooms and parked cars. It really doesn’t seem to matter who is around though this particular day was pretty unpopulated and we were there significantly longer than usual… it does seem “car prowlers” and rampant thieving has become bolder and more prevalent since COVID times. The cops don’t even seem to care. It’s “here’s a link to an online police report which you can fill out on your own.” And that’s it.

mh June 6, 2021 (9:58 pm)

So sorry to hear this!! We have been there plenty of times and have thought the playground lot was safer than the dog park lot. Glad nothing else was stolen.

Sillygoose June 7, 2021 (8:55 am)

Time for some camera’s or the mounted Patrol. I think we should put out a bait car and catch these creeps.

wseaturtle June 7, 2021 (10:21 am)

the RV’s at 16th/Barton deal in stolen items.

skeeter June 7, 2021 (11:41 am)

“tracked the phone to the last known location”Be careful! These sickos might be dangerous. Who breaks not one but TWO windows while committing their crime? So sorry this happened to you. I know how much time and money it takes to get things fixed. Not to mention the sense of violation. Awful.

Disheartened June 7, 2021 (4:09 pm)

Both parking lots have break in issues- I frequent the park 5x a week and many of the park regulars do our part and stay in the lots in an attempt to be vigilant and detour break-ins. It’s pretty ridiculous at this point- the police literally have a presence with their horses next to one of the lots, yet I can count on 1 hand the times I have seen officers in the parking lots despite the constant stream of crime. I don’t know what it will take to get the city to give two cents about our neighborhood…Sorry that this happened to you. Not shocked it ended up on 16th where the homeless camps are busy blocking access and appeal to local businesses.

Ash June 8, 2021 (11:29 pm)

I’ve actually seen the exact same people scanning the park lot this car was broken into- stealing from target in Westwood village. We frequent dog park and I would’ve warned other patrons- but honestly I first saw the little white guy at the dog park and THEN witnessed him stealing a lot of goods from target weeks later (TBH he looked super sketchy both times but I only witnessed a crime at target). Either way. -keep your eyes out. And remove anything that looks like could be of value at westcrest

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