WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Catalytic-converter thief speeds off (photo, video added); backyard barbecue stolen

Two thefts in West Seattle Crime Watch – starting with one that just happened:

CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THIEF SPEEDS OFF: We heard the dispatch for this Arbor Heights theft moments before Lisa called our hotline to report what happened a short time ago. Somebody was taking the catalytic converter off a neighbor’s Honda Element – they could hear the tool, and see the sparks – and neighbors went out yelling at the thief, who, Lisa says, hollered back, before getting into a white sedan and speeding away, even as the 911 call was going out. Only description she has is that he was wearing a red hoodie.

ADDED 2:15 PM: The car’s owner has provided a security photo and video. First, here’s the getaway car:

Second, video of the entire incident. Of particular note, after a lookout person runs away, the would-be thief remains alongside the car – until its owner (2:20 in) runs up, wrestles him away, and then chases him off:

The car’s owner says that just off camera, the thief pulled a gun as he got away. He also clarifies that they did NOT get away with the catalytic converter – but they “cut it both sides and now it’s just dangling from the bottom of my car.” He says

(back to original report) BACKYARD BARBECUE THEFT: This report was sent by Jordan Sunday night:

I wanted to report a theft from our backyard of a Traeger BBQ (in the 5000 block of) 26th Ave SW. They accessed our backyard from a back alley and must have known it was there because I left for 30 minutes for a run and it was gone when I got back. Pretty unbelievable, but just wanted to get the word out to avoid anyone else losing something.

12 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Catalytic-converter thief speeds off (photo, video added); backyard barbecue stolen"

  • Just wondering August 9, 2021 (5:54 am)

    Wonder what the thief yelled back?  :)

  • CP August 9, 2021 (12:21 pm)

    Stolen Traeger!?! Having ate some incredible meals off of a traeger recently, I can attest this theft is a serious crime. Hopefully this thief is brought to justice ASAP!

  • M. August 9, 2021 (1:28 pm)

    What was the make of the white sedan?

    • WSB August 9, 2021 (1:55 pm)

      “White sedan” is all Lisa had. I’ve since heard from the victim and received video and a photo I’ll be adding to the story shortly.

    • Nora August 9, 2021 (5:41 pm)

      Looks like a mid-90s Ford Taurus in the picture

    • JeffinMorgan August 9, 2021 (9:52 pm)

      It’s a 1998 Acura TL in Cayman white. 

  • north delridge August 9, 2021 (3:03 pm)

     Last night at about 700pm a full size white dodge pickup truck traveling northbound on 26th Ave SW with a traeger barbeque in the back of it along with some other items. He turned on SW Alaska street and went up the hill.   I am sorry I did not get a plate number for the vehicle.

  • Real Rob August 9, 2021 (3:07 pm)

    I would have made that would be robber and never walker. It warms my heart  to see neighbors protecting their own. It’s time we make sure these bad people feel pain. 

  • Guy August 9, 2021 (4:53 pm)

    At about the 2:00 mark of the video, it looks like the guy in the red hoodie pointed a handgun in the direction where the victim came from. Be careful, everyone.

  • momosmom August 9, 2021 (5:48 pm)

    It just shows you how much of a chicken-s–t the look out guy is, has to carry a gun to make him feel like a man!

  • Michelle S August 10, 2021 (7:44 am)

    I have always been the type of person who knows her neighbors, do I care for all of them NO but do care for my neighborhood which is why I pay attention cuz most of the time if they don’t go to my neighbors place they will come to my place and I’m not haven it!!!!! Please remember this THIEVES are all over day and night!! they will take whatever they want when they want they have nothing to lose!!! BE SAFE

  • anonyme August 10, 2021 (8:34 am)

    Agree with Guy, it looked like red hoodie pointed a gun.  Glad my neighbors are vigilant, just wish they’d all piled on and ‘detained’ the dude for arrest.   While on a walk yesterday, I saw a bright blue car with a taped up front bumper, driven by a seedy looking individual who appeared to be casing an empty house.  There was a recent report on the WSB involving such a vehicle, must look for it….

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