WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire damage; ‘prolific shoplifter’ arrested; two thefts – catalytic converter and bike battery

| Crime | West Seattle news

Four items in West Seattle Crime Watch:

GUNFIRE: From today’s police summaries – just before quarter till 10 this morning, an officer checked out a report of damage in the 3200 block of Harbor SW. The summary says, “The officer saw damaged windows and a damaged wall” and collected evidence of gunfire. Two businesses were affected, SPD says – but the incidents happened 5 nights apart, with the second one last night/this morning.

‘PROLIFIC SHOPLIFTER’ ARRESTED: Also from today’s summaries, a suspect described by police as a “prolific shoplifter” was booked into jail after two West Seattle incidents this morning. In the first one, he’s accused of trying to steal $50 worth of beer and swinging a bottle at people who tried to stop him, turning the incident into a robbery. Later in the morning, an officer who had investigated that incident was flagged down about a theft at the Marshalls store in Westwood Village. The summary says, “The officer recognized the suspect from the earlier robbery and placed him in custody for both crimes.”

Also today, two reader reports:

CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT: From Lyn:

Reporting another catalytic converter theft in the neighborhood. My CR-V was parked off 45th and Glenn overnight and had the catalytic stolen, along with subsequent damage to the underside of my car.

BIKE BATTERY THEFT: From Ryan, a report with a warning:

I wanted to give you all a heads up that our Rad Powerwagon bike battery was stolen last night. It was locked to the bike but there was no sign of damage. Apparently there is a way to get the battery off without the key or with a different key. I know there are a lot of Rad Bikes around West Seattle so everyone should be aware and cautious. The person who stole my battery did it very quickly and I have no doubt they are living in the area. It was stolen near Alaska Junction on California ave. You may want to keep an eye on your bike battery or take it with you. A replacement is $500.

Mj August 11, 2022 (5:29 pm)

This rampant theft is costing everyone money via higher prices for groceries, goods & services and insurance. It’s past time to lock up prolific shoplifters and throw catalytic converter thieves into jail and work jail jobs until they fully compensate vehicle owners for the cost of repair and their lost time.

Lyn August 11, 2022 (7:30 pm)

I would love to get compensated for my car! Was quoted 4,500 to say that that is an unwanted expense is an understatement….
bill August 11, 2022 (9:02 pm)

What are you smoking MJ? What do you imagine prisoners’ jobs pay? And where do you think the money comes from?

Azimuth August 11, 2022 (5:36 pm)

Ryan, exact same thing happened to me a month ago while my RadWagon was locked. I took my kids to Alki for a short beach play, hundreds of people around on a beautiful Sunday (my birthday in fact), locked to the main path rack across from Pepperdock. 30 minutes on the beach, came back and the battery was gone. Those batteries (the 2018-present era) have a known design flaw with the lock that is easily defeated. All we can do in the future is lug the battery with us, and that thing is not very portable. I guess we can’t have nice things, the bad guys win again!

Greg August 11, 2022 (7:41 pm)

Regarding rad power bike batteries Gerri g stolen. It seems anyone can but a universal battery key for these bikes on eBay for $9.00. https://www.ebay.com/itm/284725945597?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=_MhmFxNdTJm&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=6FnQ93-cS0W&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

bolo August 11, 2022 (10:18 pm)

Gee thanks I guess for broadcasting this about so efficiently.
- Elton August 11, 2022 (11:02 pm)
  
  It’s pretty easy to find with a Google search if you just look for rad power bike battery theft. Security by obscurity is not security. Better to understand/advertise the pitfalls. Picking locks isn’t that hard for someone skilled anyway, which is why I always carry my eBike battery with me when I park it. It’s a pain but I have the satisfaction of knowing that anyone grinding my locks and stealing it going to have an impossible time going uphill without the battery and it’s too heavy for the most popular car racks.
- GeesBees August 14, 2022 (4:36 pm)
  
  All I did was google “rad power bike battery for sale” to see if anyone sells used power bike batteries online. I immediately found the keys link. It doesn’t take much effort. Thought it best to warn.
  - WS Res August 14, 2022 (5:40 pm)
    
    A similar Google will yield discussions on Reddit of how easy the Rad Power battery locks are to defeat, and alternative means of securing batteries more effectively.

Chris August 11, 2022 (8:34 pm)

There is an old dude associated with one of the Harbor Ave RVs that has an affinity for stealing bike batteries. He’s white, about 5’8” , medium build, very thin short white hair, 40s or 50s, often wears a camo jacket with a black backpack (with his thieving tools), last seen riding a black fat tire eBike. I’ve caught him prying batteries off the rental bikes in the Alki area twice, this last time about a week ago. Maybe he has moved on with the likely broken eye socket I left him with the last encounter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is still up to his usual enterprises.

Jerry Swenson August 11, 2022 (9:01 pm)

Stealing bike batteries…That’s wicked… mean.

22blades August 12, 2022 (4:50 am)

For every battery, car, or catalytic converter stolen, somebody’s paying decent money. Unfortunately, they’re low on the food chain of crimes.

Mj August 12, 2022 (8:49 am)

Bill – you would rather see the victim foot the cost? I suspect prisoner pay is low thus a long time behind bars to make enough to compensate the victim(s) of their crime.

Pants August 12, 2022 (2:16 pm)

It’s time, Seattle. It’s not longer humane to allow people to live in broken down RVs and in our parks/green spaces. While not all of these folks are specific committing these crimes, a cleanup will help decrease crime. I’m sick of being afraid in my neighborhood whether it’s being yelled at, watching men pull out their p*nis to be in the junction park or worried about keeping my car on the street. ITS TIME TO CLEAN UP.

K August 14, 2022 (5:48 pm)

It has never been humane. The answer is to build more housing, but every development is met with pushback and whining from neighbors with secure housing. Until Seattle’s zoning laws are updated and we’re allowed to build a LOT more housing, you will continue to see poor people when you leave your house.

dingdong August 19, 2022 (8:07 am)

Any key will unlock the rad bike battery. Takes 2 seconds and your out 500 dollars. Dont leave them on the bike. Just had mine taken outside admiral Safeway. So sad

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