WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shoplift-turned-robbery attempt, plus 3 reader reports

ATTEMPTED SHOPLIFT-TURNED-ROBBERY: Thanks for the tip. This happened at Junction True Value about an hour and a half ago. We talked to a witness who just spoke with police. She said a man and woman had armloads of merchandise and tried to leave without paying. Staff and customers intervened and got the items back; she said some scuffling was ensued, which is what turned it from shoplifting to robbery. The witness said the would-be robbers ran out to a waiting getaway car with a third person driving. She described the two as a Hispanic man, 5’7″, in sunglasses and a ball cap, who limped as he crossed the street to the getaway car, and a Hispanic woman, 5’3″, very long hair. She described the car as a silver Honda type car, with CD and 91 in the plate. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 22-242742.

ADDED MONDAY: A few other details in the SPD summary:

… When confronted by employees one suspect lifted the bottom of her shirt so the employee could see she had a silver handgun in her waistband. Suspects left the store but dropped all the items. Witness supplied a license plate for the suspect vehicle; however, when officers went to the address of the registered owner, they discovered the license plate had been stolen previous to the attempted robbery.

STOLEN BICYCLE: From Chris:

My wife’s 2013 Giant road bike was stolen from our garage yesterday between 7 am and 7 pm. I have filed police report T22022820.

We’re waiting to hear back regarding where this happened.

DUMPED SCOOTER: Another Chris sent this photo and report:

Found this abandoned scooter, probably stolen and left in pieces. Corner of 39th Ave sw and SW 98th St in Arbor Heights.

PACKAGE TAKEN: From Trevor:

Package theft that occurred (Saturday) at 6:30 am. 36th Ave Sw & SW Edmunds St near Providence Mount St. Vincent. Luckily is wasn’t anything super valuable but wanted to spread the word so people can be on the lookout for this person and truck. The truck looks to be a older model Ford Ranger.

WhiteLion September 11, 2022 (4:14 pm)

I’m sure this is the same truck that was stuck in our dead end alley on Saturday evening. It was abandoned and blocking all access. He came back with a gas can and then drove off. He claimed to be lost.

Rob September 11, 2022 (5:03 pm)

These robberies, burglaries, thefts, assaults, vandalism and other crimes keep happening (14 serious ones reported just here on the blog in the last 17 days, and have been on that constant trajectory all summer- the crime watch blotter here on WSB has pages and pages of these issues…..), yet we hear nothing from Lisa Herbold or our elected leaders- that they are aware, that the care, what they are doing- nothing. Business are closing, leaving. Neighbors feel unsafe, and/or leaving. I think it’s unconscionable that none of our leaders are saying anything, offering nothing. Let’s not just become numb to this as a community! I have started a petition for Lisa Herbold and our local elected leaders to demand a community town hall on these concerns – to hear us, to respond to this situation, and to be accountable for working with us on concrete plans to abate this! Please sign it so that we can start the discussion and response needed!

West Seattle residents demand leadership on crime on our streets: https://chng.it/chhy8r5ZhS

WSB September 11, 2022 (11:07 pm)

There is a Southwest Precinct community meeting on September 19th, as we’ve previously announced.
I don’t know if CM Herbold will be there but I’ll ask. She was part of a similar meeting in South Park earlier this week.
- Rob September 11, 2022 (11:48 pm)
  
  Thank you good to know!

Thomas Wood September 11, 2022 (5:20 pm)

I’m glad to seethe shop lifters were confronted. Its to bad they weren’t apprehended. With a shortage of police its going to take all of saying no to criminals.They need to know they won’t tolerated!City leaders need to know were sick of this .

MercyMoi September 11, 2022 (9:06 pm)

True Value doesn’t play. I see would-be shoplifters get bounced out, chased down, cornered in the neighbor’s yards. It’s GREAT. I just can’t believe word hasn’t gotten out among criminals that True Value is NOT gonna let anybody walk out with their merchandise without coming after them.
- anonyme September 12, 2022 (6:34 am)
  
  I’ve seen this at True Value as well, which just goes to prove that all the excuses provided by other stores in regard to shoplifting are nonsense. I understand that there is a risk in confronting criminals, but there are broader consequences in allowing them to have complete control.
  - Big Bird September 12, 2022 (11:36 am)
    
    Junction True Value is a privately owned business, Other stores are owned by a corporation who have their own rules.