WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business broken into twice overnight, including crash-and-grab

| Crime | West Seattle news

West Seattle Autoworks (7501 35th SW; WSB sponsor) is cleaning up after two break-ins overnight, one of which was a crash-and-grab.

(WSB photos)

First, their office was broken into around 7 pm. The burglar(s) took an empty safe. According to their security cameras, they were in a red Honda CR-V. Then after 6 am, a white van rammed the garage door on the south side of the building. The door was damaged and a battery charger and a diagnostic tool were taken.

Security video shows the van being backed into the building twice, and three burglars getting out, with one also hitting the building with some kind of tool:

West Seattle Autoworks wants customers with vehicles at the shop this weekend to know that all of their keys are safe – and they are now being kept off-site; no customers’ vehicles were damaged or otherwise touched. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-019442.

Repeat Customer January 21, 2023 (11:09 am)

I’m very sorry to see this. This is a good shop with a great staff.

Heidi January 21, 2023 (4:06 pm)

OK, this time it’s personal. I’ve been bringing my car here for years; I was a customer when they were still down on Alki…These are lovely guys with years of knowledge (owners Chris & Todd), always accommodating, sweet and helpful. They never condescend to you (especially appreciated as a woman), and take care to explain issues thoroughly, guiding you through car repair triage if need be, & letting you know candidly what’s a prority and what can wait. They respect your budget. They’ve never hesitated to help me, even with small things (ie. pulling a nail out of a tire, driving my car around the neighborhood to assess a concern I have, giving me a ride home or back to the shop again)…Even when I pull up without an appointment, they take the time to at least listen to my concerns and give me feedback.They’re also involved in the community.It’s heartbreaking that this business in particular, and these guys, of all people, would be targeted by such selfish jerks. Please support them. Bring them coffee, treats, lunch even, & of course, your cars. Be the silver lining in a rotten situation…

Marcus January 21, 2023 (11:16 am)

Need more police at night. Yup, no doubt about that.

Seattlite January 21, 2023 (6:54 pm)

There is a police officer shortage.

Mike January 21, 2023 (11:20 am)

Was just there talking to them about their revisions in security they’re implementing. Then 4 SPD go flying by lights on and sirens blaring as we talked about crime. So sorry to see this happening to them. They’re a great shop and great people. They’re dedicated to customer service and quality workmanship at reasonable prices.I support West Seattle Autoworks!

Pdavis January 22, 2023 (10:02 am)

Mike! It’s irrelevant nonsense. What you said about four police cars going by with their sirens somehow supports that we don’t have a shortage of police. Everyone knows that the idiots that suggested defunding police are part of the problem that we are having now. Wake up.!
Pdavis January 22, 2023 (10:08 am)

Mike! It is irrelevant nonsense when you comment, that because 4 Seattle police cars went by that somehow we don’t have a police shortage. Completely illogical and uninformed. Thanks to the idiots that suggested we defund police. No doubt 4 SPD cars with sirens or responding to some thing urgent and likely dangerous.

JN January 21, 2023 (12:13 pm)

I counted 4 total getting out of van

KT January 21, 2023 (4:57 pm)

Agreed, you can see all 4 at timestamp :50

Joan January 21, 2023 (12:56 pm)

So sorry to read this. Glad they didn’t get much. These mechanics did good work on my MINI!

Junction Lady January 21, 2023 (5:17 pm)

Sorry your building was damaged…such nice people, they have been our mechanics for years!

Seattlite January 21, 2023 (6:56 pm)

Hard working mechanics vs hard working criminals. Something has to give. Think about it.

StreamDreamer January 21, 2023 (7:59 pm)

Have had work done on my vehicles many times from these professionals. So bummed for them and just pissed about this ridiculous crime spree overwhelming all the neighborhoods of our city. Get that city council replaced with some folks who understand the reality of the situation we’re in. Changes need to be made from top to bottom starting with more police officers, more prosecutors, apprehension and conviction of the scum criminals and more of a public commitment to make the changes happen. BTW, I’d swing down near the 1st Ave bridge chop shop to look for that van.

Pdavis January 22, 2023 (10:16 am)

Yes, we do need many more police and prosecutors but it’s all going to be useless unless we can get some judges that actually stop letting these people out on the street again. It would be great if the media would start naming the judges that are letting these people go through a revolving door of crime and back out on the street. They need to be removed from their position and we need to get serious about incarcerating criminals.