WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: ATM theft attempt; road-rage gunfire; stolen van to watch for (UPDATE: FOUND)

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

(Added: WSB photo)

ATM THEFT ATTEMPT: Thanks to Bolo for the tip. The US Bank drive-up ATM in The Junction – stolen in an early-morning heist five years ago – was again the target of would-be thieves early Monday. We say “would-be” because they failed, according to the police-report narrative we obtained today. It says that US Bank corporate security reported the theft attempt was caught on video just before 3:30 am Monday. Two people drove up in a “small to midsize silver DUV with a gray/black bottom”, pried open a “plastic base plat” on the ATM, attached a cable from the truck, tried to pull the ATM off its base, but failed and left.

ROAD-RAGE GUNFIRE: This was reported just after noon on Saturday, according to this police summary made available today:

(The) reporting party (RP) reported a shooting that occurred at SW Avalon Way and SW Spokane St. This incident started as a road-rage disturbance at the large intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Spokane St. The RP was driving eastbound on SW Spokane when the suspect’s vehicle was driving “aggressively” past multiple vehicles. The RP indicated the suspect vehicle nearly struck or may have slightly struck his vehicle after a merge in which the suspect cut him off. This enraged the RP, who merged in behind the suspect’s vehicle and began following him after honking and a mutual exchange of middle fingers (between himself and the suspect). At the intersection of 11th Ave SW and SW Spokane St, the suspect leaned out the driver-side window and fired approximately 4 times at the RP’s car. The suspect then quickly drove away, continuing eastbound on SW Spokane St up and onto the West Seattle Bridge, toward 1st Ave S/ 4th Ave S/ S Columbian Way and the I-5 North/South Interstate on ramps. The suspect’s vehicle was described only as a 4-door newer Lexus Sedan, black in color, with no other distinguishable or unique markings. The RP’s vehicle had what appeared to be new damage, consistent with bullet damage.

STOLEN VAN: West Seattle resident DMD says this happened near the airport, but is hoping neighbors here will be on the lookout for it too:

Flew out of Seattle for vacation. Van was stolen from the Seattle Airport Marriott parking lot between Feb 11-20 2022. It’s a 1998 Ford E-350 lifted four-wheel drive van. It is burgundy red with a large black winch bumper on the front. A case was opened with the police so any tips to me, them, or both are appreciated!

Call 911 if you see it – then let DMD know by texting 206-240-8993. (3/2 UPDATE: It’s been found, in north Seattle.)

Lucy February 22, 2022 (2:25 pm)

Jeepers. It’s getting pretty scary out there. Good thing the new Mayor will fix it!

Bob Hull February 22, 2022 (3:05 pm)

For the road rage shooting near the WS Lower bridge: Since the suspect immediately crossed the lower bridge, his license plate number should be available.

Brian February 22, 2022 (4:04 pm)

Unless they purposefully obscured it because they intended not to pay a fine for using the bridge during the times when it’s for specific users only.
- bill February 22, 2022 (5:04 pm)
  
  ^THIS^ In the time it took me to cross the bridge on a bike a couple of days ago I saw three cars without rear plates.
  - Jort February 22, 2022 (6:50 pm)
    
    There is widespread criminal activity among motorists crossing the lower bridge, with concealed license plates from bike racks and front plates removed. I have heard arguments from these people here, on this very fine blog, that they are committing crimes because they think they have the right to break the law. Unbelievable but not surprising. On my bike rides I typically see about 20-25 single-occupancy private vehicles cross the bridge, more than half do not have plates or they are concealing them. People leave the plates on their dashboards, hide them for the camera, and then put them back up. The police should be permanently impounding vehicles for anti-social drivers who commit this fraud.
    - East Coast Cynic February 22, 2022 (7:57 pm)
      
      I think a SPD sting operation on the low bridge for those license plate concealers would be a good thing:).
    - Hammer in Hand February 22, 2022 (9:10 pm)
      
      If there were any police left. On average if someone brakes down your door and the 911 ops determine it is a priority 1 call it will take on average 11mins to be onsite. When seconds count police are minutes away. They don’t have the staffing to deal with no license plate cars. You may need to peddle them down and make a citizen arrest. The police would welcome the help.
    - WSB February 22, 2022 (9:42 pm)
      
      They did actually pull an enforcement operation last fall. We reported on it:
      https://westseattleblog.com/2021/10/west-seattle-low-bridge-camera-dodgers-busted/
      Haven’t heard of one since but have heard scattered mentions of police at the low bridge so I’d imagine they’ve caught more since then.
    - GoodSpaceGal February 22, 2022 (9:48 pm)
      
      My Tesla does not have front license plate mounting brackets. I’m not a criminal simply for driving with one license plate, and neither are the tens of thousands of other Tesla drivers in Seattle.
    - Jort February 22, 2022 (11:19 pm)
      
      Goodspacegal: NOPE! Your Tesla is not granted an exemption from the front license plate requirement under state law, no matter how much Tesla owners have talked themselves in a circle believing they don’t have to do it. Tesla does, in fact, offer a front license plate mounting kit, and if you want to obey the law, you will order it and you will put it on your car. If you don’t, you’re brazenly and knowingly flaunting the law and nothing you say to yourself or to your fellow Tesla owners will change that. (“It hurts my precious plastic car aesthetics!”) Furthermore, why would a Tesla owner need to remove their front plate from the dashboard while crossing the bridge? Could it possibly be because they know they’re breaking the law and are trying to get away with it?! Get your license plate on your car like everybody else.
    - wscommuter February 23, 2022 (9:29 am)
      
      And here’s the anti-car fringe again … it is actually not a “crime” to either cross the bridge or conceal one’s license plate. It is a civil infraction – one can be ticketed for such actions, but there is no criminal statute or code violated. I wish people would follow the law, but I don’t have much patience for the ignorant claims made here. But rant away with your fantasies about fascistic confiscation of private property.
    - Auntie February 23, 2022 (6:19 pm)
      
      Goodspacegal – check out https://wsp.wa.gov/driver/vehicle. It states, in part, “Front license plates are required for all vehicles issued two license plates. (RCW 46.16A.200).” I don’t see anything in there that says “except for Teslas.” You are not likely to be pulled over for no front plate, but if you are pulled over for, say, speeding, they can add that infraction to your ticket.
- Mellow Kitty February 24, 2022 (9:20 am)
  
  Y’all will focus on anything but the main issue. Who gives a damn about license plates and what bridge people drive on. The issue, friends, is someone pointing a gun out of the car window and irresponsibly fireing at random. Can we focus on THAT maybe? Don’t you think randomly and indiscriminately shooting out of a car window is the bigger problem? Y’all need to get your priorities straight.

StopCuttingDownTrees February 22, 2022 (3:15 pm)

The RP should not have escalated the situation. The suspect was obviously on some sort of rampage and the RP honking, obscene gesturing, and chasing the suspect put many innocent people in danger. Also, since the suspect crossed the lower bridge in the afternoon their license plate is almost certainly in the SDOT $75 fine database.

Cranky February 22, 2022 (7:09 pm)

heh… ‘license plate’

Flo B February 22, 2022 (8:43 pm)

One note. Camera does NOT take a picture of front plate. It ONLY takes picture of rear plate. As for impounding cars for violations. That only works if it’s not YOUR car that it happens to. That’s why there’s no law like that. Nobody can figure out how to have it and exempt themselves from it.

Jort February 22, 2022 (11:21 pm)

Your car, your responsibility. That’s where the law needs to change. Just like parking tickets. Doesn’t matter who parked it, if it’s your car, you will pay for it.
bill February 23, 2022 (8:42 am)

License plates don’t just fall off. Driving a shiny, clean car without a plate pretty clearly indicates intent to break the law, whether by cheating the bridge or being up to something more nefarious. Impound the car.

Mellow Kitty February 23, 2022 (8:35 am)

Yep. Guy driving like an a-hole, gun fire is the only solution . . .what is wrong with people! Are people seriously willing to risk their lives to “save face” after being cut off? If the RP had been shot, I’m sUrE his family would tHiNk it was an “hOnOrAble” aNd “wOrThY” SaCriFiCe. SMDH.

Defensivedriver February 23, 2022 (4:34 pm)

I honked at a similar car while leaving Target last month. A black Lexus, no distinguishing features. I honked at them because they looked like they might back into me. I though nothing of it and kept going. The car followed me, pulled up along side me quickly and then slowed to keep pace with my car. I turned left to see if he was just driving like a jerk or actually trying to intimidate me. He pulled behind me and started following, so I made a few turns to ensure he wasn’t just going the same way I was. He stayed right on my back bumper. So I just headed to the Southwest Prescient parking lot, and when the realized where we were, he speed off. Its a bit unnerving to have such a small thing make someone want to hunt you down.

Sorry, comment time is over.