WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business hit by theft

| Crime | West Seattle news

Meeples Games (3727 California SW) is looking for help in solving a theft that happened Tuesday night:

These two individuals were (first) seen outside Meeples; they seemed to be acting a bit strange. So one employee told the other to be on the lookout for them. The two came into the store separately and looked at different areas of the store. They seemed to be causing a distraction from the other person so that one could look at products. The one in the darker clothing with the Target bag was stalking the Magic the Gathering product and slowly started putting Magic the Gathering product into his Target bag. They both asked questions about expensive Magic the Gathering cards and when the one in the darker clothing went to purchase a deck box, the employee behind the counter noted to him that his Target bag wasn’t that full when he came in and asked to see a receipt of purchase for the items. He left immediately. They weren’t seen in any vehicle, at least from what our employees noticed.

If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 23-234751. You can also contact Meeples’ owner Laura at laura@meeplesgames.com.

WW Resident August 17, 2023 (2:21 pm)

It’s hard to tell when I zoom in, but the guy in the dark clothing looks like he’s trying to wear a badge like police on the right front of his pants

Jay August 17, 2023 (2:48 pm)

What the hell, Meeples is an awesome local business and they’re just constantly getting robbed. Used cards is an important part of how local game shops stay afloat with competition from Amazon. These robberies are a big hit for them. These guys are absolute losers and I hope someone can identify them.

WiseWoman August 17, 2023 (3:01 pm)

Should be on cameras at neighboring businesses as well.

Vee August 17, 2023 (3:28 pm)

I’ve noticed several business now have signs posted , no entry with backpacks etc. Not sure how they are enforcing

admyrl byrd August 17, 2023 (3:43 pm)

check your backpacks and bags at the door. Only way to stop this

Also John August 17, 2023 (3:57 pm)

Prosecution and jail is the way to stop this.

Paul August 17, 2023 (4:04 pm)

We have a zero bag policy, meaning no bags at all can be carried into the store. We have a nice spot to safely keep their items. Some people do not like it, but it is our policy. If you don’t like it, then you need to shop elsewhere. Theft has been reduced greatly. It is harder to steal something this way.

Alki resident August 17, 2023 (5:19 pm)

Everywhere I go, people are shoplifting by squirreling things away in their pants and jackets. Also how do the business owners keep track of your bags and backpacks? The thief can easily grab yours and leave with it.
- 1994 August 17, 2023 (9:43 pm)
  
  The Burien Grocery Outlet has a bunch of lockers with keys. You lock your stuff up, shop, and then get your stuff on the way out.
- Jsbm August 17, 2023 (10:41 pm)
  
  @Alki Resident, interesting critique but without actionable insight. Are you suggesting business owners should all just give up, or…?
Ts August 17, 2023 (9:41 pm)

How can you have a zero bag policy unless you provide bags free of charge? What about bus riders or wheelchair users with backpacks and purses that people need to access to pay with? I understand the need but am just curious about safety of items, paying and privacy.
Andrew August 18, 2023 (3:46 am)

That’s not really a viable solution in this case. Meeples hosts events for games like the one mentioned, Magic the Gathering, and players need to bring their own decks (with values in the couple hundred dollar range) to compete. Additionally, these are trading card games, so players expect to bring additional cards to trade with other players. If you ban backpacks, suddenly players do not have a way to easily keep their belongings together, which will reduce players’ interest in attending events, and if players stop attending events, Meeples loses their revenue both from events and from card purchases. It’s great that this solution works for you, but different businesses have different needs.

John August 18, 2023 (8:18 am)

It is sad and pathetic that brick and mortar retail is dying. It seems that we’re heading toward electronic entry/exit restrictions, like airports and large office buildings have. If there are no consequences for theft and vandalism, I believe these illegal activities will only increase.

Mellow Kitty August 18, 2023 (8:33 am)

Thieves, you suck. You are pathetic. You are scum. You are a waste of space. You are unwanted. You are garbage. I hope you get caught and spend a lot of time in prison.

Admiral-2009 August 18, 2023 (10:41 pm)

We all pay the theft tax levied by retailers who raise the cost of goods and services to compensate for the theft. These thieves need to caught, tried & convicted, put behind bars and made to work to pay restitution for the crime they committed.

Sorry, comment time is over.