WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Front-yard robbery after online offer

| Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Steve:

I was robbed at knifepoint about 11 am in the front yard of my N Admiral home, a couple blocks north of Met Market on 41st. I had listed a used 9-year-old MacBook Pro laptop on OfferUp and Craigslist earlier this morning, and a person who is registered on OfferUp under the name Abukar responded via the OU app that he urgently needed a replacement for his broken laptop for school, and asked if it was available immediately, saying he was a few minutes away in downtown Seattle. I considered setting up a meet at Starbucks or Safeway but decided to give my address and meet him outside … big mistake, although what happened later could have occurred anywhere.

He drove up in a late-model black Honda Accord Sport with red dealer ad card (Toyota of Renton) in the license plate area instead of a license plate; also a black license frame showed the same dealer. The man came up to my yard and I showed him the laptop, took it out and booted it up, put it back in box and said he (5’10” or so, thin, late 20s, wearing black mask, white sweat band, long black hooded winter coat, black sweats, white high-top basketball shoes) wanted to use his CashApp to pay. I replied “sorry, cash only” and told him there are 3-4 ATMs a few blocks away. He then said he wanted to show it to his girlfriend in the car, and when I said no, asked for the box so he could photograph the label underneath the box containing model and serial #. Next thing I knew I was looking at his 8” knife a few inches from my stomach with blade extended as he backed away with laptop in hand. I got 3-4 pictures as he was leaving, filed a nonemergency report with SPD and am waiting for officer to drop by because there was a threat of physical violence and I have a good description of the “suspect,” for whatever good that will do.

Lesson learned about giving anyone my address in the future, although as said above, if we’d met outside Starbucks or in a nearby parking lot, I’m not sure the outcome would have been much different.

We’ve reported other OfferUp-related holdups – like this one from last fall, and the two West Seattle robberies that are among three noted in this SPD post from 2021. Today’s incident # is 23-026746.

Neighbor January 28, 2023 (2:03 pm)

This isn’t your fault, the criminal is the one that robbed you. But there are lessons to learn here. First, high pressure is a red flag, when a person pressures you like that call off the deal immediately. Second, never give a stranger your home address, go to a populated area, best option is the lobby of a police station. Third, you were robbed with a weapon, that’s an emergency, call 911.

Joe January 28, 2023 (2:19 pm)

You were just robbed at knife point and you called the nonemergency number?

steve January 28, 2023 (3:39 pm)

Yes Joe, thanks, I’m sure you’d have instantly thought it all through much more clearly than I did, thinking as I so foolishly did that the guy was long gone (address is 2 minutes from the bridge), I hadn’t seen his face due to his mask, his common car (black Honda) had no license plate, and I wasn’t hurt. The responding officer told me they were all downtown this morning waiting for a riot that never materialized, so it didn’t matter much either way.

Seattlite January 28, 2023 (2:41 pm)

” (5’10” or so, thin, late 20s, wearing black mask, white sweat band, long black hooded winter coat, black sweats, white high-top basketball shoes)” The only things missing from the above description for a complete description is eye color, skin color, hair color which is valuable description info for SPD and citizens in general to be on the look out.

Melissa January 28, 2023 (4:30 pm)

No, it’s not. He explained that the person was wearing a mask. The eye, hair, and skin colors will only allow us to make incorrect assumptions.
my two cents January 28, 2023 (5:35 pm)

whether or not you meant it or not, your comment comes across as being rather insensitive. The article stated the conditions, steps taken and yet you seem to be assailing the actions taken by the victim.

Aaron January 28, 2023 (2:59 pm)

Glad you’re ok, but I’d say robbed at knifepoint is a reason to call 911 not the non emergency #! My money is on that car being stolen as well.

TTT January 29, 2023 (8:22 am)

A renton car maintenance and dealer told me that brining a car into the shop and stealing the service replacement car has become commonplace in renton. So, you are likely right that the car is stolen too. Or maybe it is a “test drive” car.

WSB January 28, 2023 (3:08 pm)

Just so everyone is aware, since several are mentioning it – if you have missed the mentions in our community-meeting stories – police say to call 911 for *everything*. The non-emergency line is answered by the same calltakers anyway (when they have someone to answer – the call center has had a personnel shortage too); they’ll route you depending on what you’re calling about. Incidents that are in progress or “just occurred” are classified differently from “happened half an hour ago” etc. – TR

Sellwestseattle January 28, 2023 (3:14 pm)

For anybody selling anything that can fit in a car, the best option is to meet at the police station parking lot. I’ve made several sales at various police station lots.if they won’t meet there, it’s an easy indicator they are a shady buyer. And if you won’t sell there, it means you’re a shady seller.

M January 28, 2023 (4:42 pm)

What if you’re selling an appliance, as we are (tomorrow morning, eeks!). We can’t haul it out of the house and to another location every time someone wants to check it out. I’m nervous about strangers coming into our home though. I’m not sure the best way to handle it.

Brayton January 28, 2023 (5:04 pm)

Are there any consignment places in town for appliances? I used this option to sell home theatre speakers through a stereo shop up on Roosevelt near the U-District. I was surprised how easy it was. It would be a safer alternative to meeting strangers yourself.
K January 28, 2023 (8:49 pm)

I think the larger the item and the lower the dollar amount, less less I worry (personally). Stealing a stove at knifepoint is probably not easy, nor worth it for one that has a $100 resale value. Laptops are popular for these things because they are a high dollar, easy-resell item that is easy to grab and run with. I’ve sold a number of used appliances and had people come to my home for them. Never has an issue, but most people buying a cheap, 10-year old dryer just want a dryer. I would also consider your selling platform. NextDoor is one of the worst parts of the internet, but since people register with their real names and addresses, it’s less likely someone will make a fake account just to browse through the “for sale” section looking for goodies.
- MW January 29, 2023 (4:44 pm)
  
  Idk if it occurs to a would be thief, but what came to my mind is how easily someone could use the excuse of looking for a used household appliance to “case” the inside of your house and either come back later or hold you up right now and rob you of valuables in your home etc.

superdeluxejunk January 28, 2023 (5:00 pm)

Steve,It’s a real eye opener, since I’ve done this for years. I’m truly sorry for your loss, but glad it’s just a laptop. I’m glad your alive and safe. If you started a gofundme.com I’d contribute and I’m sure you would recover your loss quickly. I don’t think I can start it for you. Buying you a beer the next time we meet.

Brayton January 28, 2023 (5:01 pm)

If only the MacBook were still linked to your Apple ID until you knew the sale was good. They wouldn’t be able to use it until you release it from your account. Clumsy process, yes, but a way to fight back. OfferUp and Craigslist are just not worth the risk.

Rhonda January 28, 2023 (7:27 pm)

Always, always, ALWAYS call 911 to report being a victim of ANY crime involving threats, force, weapons, or a fresh burglary or car prowl. Likewise if you witness any of the above. Armed robbery is as serious a crime as it gets as many result in serious injury or murder. Priority-1 calls to 911 for armed robbery are quickly broadcast to multiple surrounding law agencies and they will scour the area for suspects/suspect vehicle(s). Not victim-shaming here as everyone reacts differently under extreme stress.

HS January 28, 2023 (8:11 pm)

Steve, I’m glad you weren’t hurt. That’s a difficult situation to respond to.

Sue January 29, 2023 (12:18 am)

I’m glad you weren’t hurt in the robbery. I stopped using those apps and websites to sell things when I started hearing similar stories. While I was never robbed, almost anybody that came to me from OfferUp tried to haggle for way less money than I had listed something for, after agreeing to my price before I told them where I was located. It just felt so scammy to me that I stopped using it.

Hamburgler January 29, 2023 (9:26 am)

OfferUp is filled with sketchy people. Clearly stolen items all over the place. I decided to never use them again. In fact, deleting the app now! Thanks for the reminder.

tim January 29, 2023 (11:08 am)

1st degree robbery. Felony. If they catch him he’ll be in jail without bail. What a stupid idiot.

local January 29, 2023 (11:28 am)

Hey Steve, I’m really sorry this happened to you. It’s frightening, frustrating and disheartening. Wishing you peace in the coming days as you process this incident and threat to your safety.

Sorry, comment time is over.