WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen car retrieved from Westcrest Park slope

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks for the tips. We’re just back from Westcrest Park, where tow crews pulled a stolen Hyundai Elantra up from the park’s northeast slope.

Police told us the car was reported by a passerby. That happened to be Chris, who sent us this photo:

Chris reported spotting the car before 6 am: “Didn’t see any occupants but found it running and lots of windows broken. Looks like it came down from the top and crashed through the fence (and was) resting in a thicket of blackberries.” Chris also noted evidence of “donuts” in the big field on the park’s north end (atop the reservoir) – walking from the west parking lot, we noticed that too – a lot of it:

If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-179485.

cshecks June 27, 2023 (10:47 am)

So crazy and annoying that people don’t have better things to do other than steal these cars and be destructive. I don’t get it.

fan of westcrest June 27, 2023 (11:03 am)

People doing donuts on the Westcrest field has been a problem for the last couple of years, but this is the worst I’ve ever seen it. It’s past due that they add more barricades around the park, especially since there is a gate to the parking lot that does nothing. There are already barricades on the north side, and only a couple points of entry on the west side that would require barricades or large rocks. Not like they should be needed in the first place, but here we are.

It’s such an underrated Seattle park given the skyline views. It’s unfortunate that it’s not better maintained. Considering they haven’t replaced the fenced off playground for two years now, I’m not getting my hopes up 😔

WSB June 27, 2023 (11:52 am)

If it’s any consolation, ICYMI, the play area project has gone out to bid
https://westseattleblog.com/2023/06/followup-two-long-delayed-west-seattle-play-area-projects-finally-go-out-to-bid/
Ts June 28, 2023 (1:24 am)

Someone has been doing them up at stealth or the stadium parking lot for quite awhile, unless it’s coming from Westwood, sound echos in the area. Haven’t heard a crash thank God. Notified the teenagers I know out celebrating graduation to stay clear of the area on their way home. Anyone know where it’s at exactly?

mc June 27, 2023 (11:27 am)

the grass has been torn up from people doing donuts for awhile, its horrible

WSB June 27, 2023 (11:33 am)

Yeah, it was hard to tell what was new and what wasn’t, but there is one spot on the paved path that had a bunch of grass chunks that weren’t there last time we walked around the park, so it seemed new.

KK June 27, 2023 (12:41 pm)

Yet another stolen black Hyundai Elantra. At a loss as to why the thieves have left mine alone. Every morning I look out my blinds and ask myself “is today the day mine will be stolen?” Mine is parked directly in front of my duplex, I use a Club religiously, and haved removed everything from the interior including my favorite floor mats.

KD June 27, 2023 (8:28 pm)

Besides the club on the wheel, add the one the hooks from the brake pedal up to the steering wheel. I use both on both my vehicles

Boop June 27, 2023 (5:59 pm)

Maybe they could put some cameras like the ones the want on West Marginal Way around there to capture the people doing the donuts and mail them a ticket!

Sorry, comment time is over.