WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 4 more stolen-vehicle reports

Police have said at multiple recent community meetings that auto theft is the only category of property crime on the rise in West Seattle. Today is certainly contributing to the trend – we’ve received four more reports:

GREEN FOCUS: Cadence‘s car has a distinctive feature:

Around 12:30 am my car was stolen at gunpoint by two teenagers on the intersection of California and Graham by The Bridge Bar. Last seen heading south on California AVE. It is a green 2006 Ford Focus zx3 with underglow that is purple when the car is on. The license plate is CFG4285. Any details about it would be appreciated. This car is my baby and I love it.

Cadence says police have been contacted; a gunpoint theft would generally be classified as a robbery/carjacking, but we haven’t yet found the report number on the police log. (added) Report # is 23-205971.

GRAY TUCSON: Just texted as we wrote this roundup:

My parents just had their car stolen; we live right on 35th between Brandon and Dawson, It is a gray Hyundai Tucson with a license plate number of BSL3533; it was stolen within the last few hours.

Police report # to come for this too. (Update: 23-206657)

RED YUKON: From Gail:

I would like to report our 2005 GMC Yukon was stolen sometime between 11:00 and 7:00. 36th SW below the water tower. It’s red; license plate #CHA5090. Police report # 23-206152

GOLD VUE: Hanna reports her sister’s car was taken: “This happened yesterday evening in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo on California Ave and Admiral Way. The car is a 2008 gold Saturn Vue.” It had a temporary plate as it had just been transferred from a relative. We’re waiting for the police report #. (UPDATE: This car has been found.)

CarDriver July 21, 2023 (5:28 pm)

WSB. Have noticed here and in other media not a lot of mention of catalytic converter thefts. Have they slowed down or just getting so commonplace we don’t hear about them as much.

WSB July 22, 2023 (10:49 am)

We mentioned in a previous community meeting story. Down.

Cadence July 21, 2023 (5:47 pm)

The case number for my focus is 23-205971. Please let me know if you hear anything.Sturgeon.cadence.2021@gmail.com

whattheheck July 21, 2023 (6:00 pm)

Carjacking in Morgan Junction doesn’t even raise an eyebrow. So depressing.

KR July 21, 2023 (8:41 pm)

All of these car thefts suck, even more so that it’s a daily thing with multiple listings now. @Cadence, would you be willing to share more details on what happened? Anything or tips to pass on so that others might be more prepared for that scenario (if that’s possible)?

Cadence July 21, 2023 (11:45 pm)

Honestly it was really unexpected. I saw the two walking down the other side of the street as I pulled up but I didn’t think anything of it because people walk around there all the time even at night. I hate to say it, but just keep an eye out and be a little weary of random people walking around. Keep your windows up.Honestly this was probably my fault as I had the underglow on while I was sitting there. I had just come back from a cruise around. It’s a shitty car, but I did the underglow as a fun summer project. To the untrained eye, it probably looked like something fun to joyride around. Especially to a couple of kids.Just overall be weary. None of the other situations were carjackings to my knowledge, so I don’t think this is something that will happen on repeat. In the case that this does happen to you, just hand the keys over. I love my car almost more than anything, but not more than my life. It really sucks as I am without transportation now, but I have a lot of lines out to get it back. Stay safe. These streets get less and less safe every day.
- Just wondering July 22, 2023 (9:20 am)
  
  I remember watching an Oprah show where a policeman interviewed said if you are car jacked throw your keys in one direction and run away in another!
- StillCurious July 22, 2023 (1:20 pm)
  
  After reading Cadence’s response,
  I am even more confused to whatever happened.
  Did SPD respond ?
  Was a police report generated?
  - WSB July 22, 2023 (2:06 pm)
    
    Yes, it’s 23-205971. If I haven’t added it above yet, I will shortly.
- alkiannie July 22, 2023 (8:02 pm)
  
  Cadence, it bothers me that you blame yourself for being CAR JACKED because you chose to turn on your ambient lights on while your car was parked near a beloved local bar in a homey neighborhood – because you think that it made it look more appealing to freaking CAR JACKERS. it reminds me of women that blame themselves for being sexually harassed or assaulted because they are wearing skirts or makeup. These are CRIMINALS, you were ASSAULTED, and you did NOTHING wrong. I also think the lighting is cool and wish your car-baby back soon. Sigh.
  - Cadence July 22, 2023 (8:44 pm)
    
    Alkiannie, your comment made me cry. I’ve been really hard on myself since this happened. The outpouring of support has been so nice. Thank you so much. Be safe out here <3.

santa man July 21, 2023 (9:54 pm)

Seems to be the older year vehicles being stolen. Is it because they’re less likely to have built in alarm systems? Maybe if the Clubs were used it would deter?

Admiral-2009 July 21, 2023 (10:38 pm)

santa man – maybe if the perps were made to spend a long time behind bars and be made to pay restitution they would be deterred.

Josh July 22, 2023 (9:31 am)

You have to catch them first. And considering how well of a deterrent potential jail time has been in the past it is perfectly reasonable to not wait for the state or the scofflaws to protect you and to just go ahead and get a club for free from the city and use it.

1994 July 21, 2023 (10:58 pm)

Holy cow! Time to consider purchasing a wheel boot! I hope all the cars are found unharmed.

Buncake July 22, 2023 (11:08 am)

Car thieves are some of the biggest low life’s especially the one’s doing armed robbery car jackings. The more people you put at risk breaking the law the more it comes back to you.. More than anything these people need to grow up and realize that they will never win living like that. Inflated ego’s wannabe gangster rats go home get a job be a respectable person stay out of jail it’s not worth it being a criminal.

Cadence July 22, 2023 (3:48 pm)

If anyone is interested in helping me out with getting a car situated, please feel free to check out my gofundme. I would love enough to pick up a beater. Thank you so much.https://gofund.me/7b2657d5