WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: The belly-crawling burglar

The video was sent by Gene, reporting a burglary at his parents’ house on Puget Ridge late Tuesday/early Wednesday, A camera focused on their driveway shows his mother walking into the garage – and the burglar crawling in through the almost-closed garage door seconds later. Gene says, “It looks like the thief has been watching my parents daily to know their routine.” The clip above is the clearest, showing the burglar at 11:16 pm; other clips show him leaving two minutes later, then returning at 2 am and staying almost an hour and a half before leaving again at 3:22 am, Items missing so far: A spare key to the garage, cash, and cards (a text alert was received warning of fraudulent use of one of them). Since they didn’t learn about the burglary until hours after it happened, they’ve filed an online report with SPD; we’ll add the number when it’s available.

ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Gene says cameras caught the burglar walking past the house again tonight.

Jim P. October 20, 2022 (1:12 pm)

Well, that’s not in the least scary as heck.

W. Seattle neighbor October 20, 2022 (1:27 pm)

That is super creepy and it’s not yet Halloween. Hope they catch this guy!

NW October 20, 2022 (1:33 pm)

This is disturbing and I recall seeing on the SPD blotter similar video though the victim was beaten after she used her fob to enter her apartment building and the perpetrator enter moments later and assaulted her in the elevator! Keep vigilant of your surroundings!!

937 October 20, 2022 (1:36 pm)

Well, THAT’S frightening.

When o’ when are TPTB going to do anything about rampant crime 😞

1336 – 10/20

Roll-Up October 20, 2022 (2:07 pm)

Surprised by the thief’s ability to crawl as garage door openers have electric eye photodetector that detects motion across base of door.
Some people, unwisely, disable these safety devices that prevent the door from closing on adults, children and anything obstructing the beam and return the door to open position with all of the attendant noise.
Usually you can quickly step over the beam which is positioned within a foot of the garage slab as the door descends.
This family might get their garage door tuned up after such an event.

Cranky October 20, 2022 (2:35 pm)

Despicable, and lower than a snake’s belly. Thieving, no good, sidewinder.

Boinsted October 20, 2022 (2:58 pm)

This is why I have a large dog and easy access to ‘protection’ in my house. This is really scary so please be vigilant people.

Kravitz October 20, 2022 (4:04 pm)

Too bad the garage door didn’t pin that miscreant to the ground, to hold him until police could arrest him. I’m stunned by how brazen theses criminals have become.

Rhonda October 20, 2022 (6:58 pm)

If the burglar entered the occupied residence by following the victim into the living space (and not just the garage) it was a robbery, regardless if the victim knew the perpetrator was in the living space or not. If not for the camera the victim would have no signs of forced entry to explain the missing items.

Interested in safety October 21, 2022 (10:31 am)

This is terrifying. He was in there with her for so long. Please check on your neighbors and family as often as possible. She could’ve been badly injured and nobody would’ve know.

Nel October 22, 2022 (12:02 pm)

A good reminder to watch for that garage door to close completely before leaving or when arriving.

RS October 22, 2022 (3:52 pm)

I’m glad the mom wasn’t attacked during his visits. There is plenty of jobs out there for this punk. I’m also surprised he didn’t bring an accomplice or two. He probably has no friends and is just a terrible person.

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