READER REPORTS: 2 abandoned, suspicious vehicles

| Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle news | Westwood

First one appears to be a definite candidate for the dumped-likely-stolen file:

Abandoned burgundy KIA found on 27th and Kenyon. Obvious signs of being stolen (broken windows, ignition, etc.) and signals of drug use. This has been reported to police and assume it will be towed soon. Also footage from camera shows multiple people and cars involved during the dump.

The second one is a little more of a mystery. The reader report came in Saturday; we looked about an hour ago, and the truck is still there, so we’re publishing this:

Appears to be abandoned at 41st and Ida. Half in parking strip. Side work door attempted to be pried open.

It’s also parked facing the wrong way. The person who emailed said they’ve reported to police. Also of note – that’s the same Gatewood intersection where a stolen Hyundai was dumped earlier this week.

Michaelphelps September 3, 2023 (3:05 pm)

The black car here intentionally rammed into me this morning when I was driving south on 35th ave just south of Morgan st. They took off, cops said they ran from them as well. My car is probably totaled

Not surprised September 4, 2023 (12:20 am)

A black sedan (distinct feature I’m omitting) closely followed by a silver gray suv were speeding down a few blocks over from 35th, couple of weeks ago and nearly mowed down me and another pedestrian. The same black sedan was seen recently when its occupants broke into my neighbor’s kia. I feel like they probably live in the hp area.

Michaelphelps September 3, 2023 (3:07 pm)

Also forgot to add that just prior to them ramming into me they were trying to break into a white Kia mini van parked on 35th

Nicole September 3, 2023 (7:42 pm)

I unknowingly interrupted a black car with 4 or 5 people in it trying to break into a silver Kia minivan at 10:20 this morning on 35th and Holden. They chased me for about 5 minutes as I drove 75-80 with police on the line as I laid on my horn. I have lived here all my life and it was one of the most terrifying moments I have ever had.
- Kim September 3, 2023 (8:36 pm)
  
  That sounds terrifying—like my worst nightmare. I hope you’re finding ways to decompress. These guys are such a danger, and you must be an amazing driver to have kept it together.
- Michaelphelps September 4, 2023 (5:06 pm)
  
  I noticed a smashed Toyota that was parked near 35th and thistle today, wouldn’t be surprised if these same people were responsible for that one as well or the crash on harbor ave. Cops told me they didn’t make any effort to chase them when they saw the two Kia driving down 35th so they know they can get away with whatever they want
  - WSB September 4, 2023 (6:49 pm)
    
    Hi, the “smashed Toyota” is probably from the 35th/Rose crash we noted the other night – a neighbor sent us a pic of the damaged car today and it’s a black/gray Toyota.

Tired WS Mom September 3, 2023 (3:57 pm)

That gold Kia turned off of thistle and right onto delridge heading towards white center this morning. I told my husband it definitely seemed suspicious since all passengers were wearing ski masks.

MyThruppence September 3, 2023 (4:11 pm)

I wonder if a super-funded, and thusly super-generous, crime-stoppers is the answer in the short term? Maybe if we start highly rewarding the snitches among them then we will start taking some of these cretins off the street.

Alki resident September 3, 2023 (4:22 pm)

Rewarding snitches that are likely also involved is not the answer. Start voting for people who take crime seriously and keep these losers locked up and actually charge them for their crimes.
- MyThruppence September 3, 2023 (9:06 pm)
  
  You described what you believe to be a better answer but never explained why a ridiculously funded crime stoppers program for the next six months is a bad idea.
  - Alki resident September 4, 2023 (11:20 am)
    
    It sends a message that cash is the answer to get people arrested. What about the rest of the year, why just 6 months? What’s the pay limit? Because Crime Stoppers isn’t “ ridiculously funding”.
- Lagartija Nick September 3, 2023 (9:29 pm)
  
  According to the most recent FBI statistics, all categories of crime (especially gun crime) are higher in red states. I’ll keep voting blue thank you very much.
  - Actually Mike September 4, 2023 (7:25 am)
    
    I’m a life-long blue voter too, but this car-theft-leading-to-other-violent-crime is out of control here and it’s way past time to do something about it. In a well-run city, an incident like this one would be a Big F’ing Deal, with the Mayor and City Council outraged and leading the way with effective steps to improve public safety. But not in Seattle. Here, our “leaders” first deny that there’s a problem–then refuse to do anything about it without conducting an “equity analysis”. As a consequence, crimes like this have become an everyday occurrence. This shouldn’t be a red or a blue issue–it’s a failure of leadership. We The People need to force change in city government or Seattle is doomed to be a place where only barbarians dare venture out in public. Sound like a town where you want to live?
  - Byron James September 4, 2023 (10:13 pm)
    
    It makes no sense to compare crime in our city with that of an entire state. You should compare the most populous cities in those states with ours. You will almost always find that those cities aren’t “red”.
Socialcontract September 3, 2023 (4:24 pm)

I would support this. Turn them against each other.
GHO September 3, 2023 (4:38 pm)

I like this idea and wonder if the local Kia dealers wouldn’t get behind it. This trend can’t be helping sales 🫤

rdkaos September 3, 2023 (4:37 pm)

“It’s also parked facing the wrong way.” – WSB regarding the tow truck.I thought there was no longer a wrong way to face parking on the streets of West Seattle. It was formerly illegal and enforced by SPD Parking Enforcement. Now it is not uncommon to see vehicles parked the wrong way on major arterials like California Ave. and 35th Ave.

Please park legally September 3, 2023 (6:30 pm)

Still illegal on arterials. I have noticed tickets on vehicles on 35th recently. Seems dangerous to park on the wrong side of a busy arterial like California and “I-35”. Who knows whether parking enforcement wrote tickets on patrol or someone called it in. Not enforced on neighborhood streets.
- Danimal September 4, 2023 (9:45 am)
  
  Stop calling it I-35. It’s 35th Avenue, a major arterial that SHOULD be 4 lanes and 35 mph all along its length. Sure, put in lighted and signaled crosswalks, but the hysterics of calling it I-35 are unwarranted. Where ELSE do you expect the tens of thousands of West Seattle residents to drive??
  - Slow the flock down September 5, 2023 (1:37 pm)
    
    Somebody dial 911, this is a very bad case of “car brain”. I think all of the statements here need to be explicitly addressed. 35 MPH is NOT safe for 35th Ave. It may be if you’re in the car (not for head on collision though) but if you want to have a semblance of a walkable neighborhood, it absolutely should be 25MPH. Anything beyond that is statistically a likely death if a pedestrian gets hit and that’s why the speed is so. The extra 10 isn’t worth the lives it would cost and will not result in better traffic for all resident— I go consistent just a few over the limit and people fly past me all the time. Only for me to roll up right next to them at the next light. And widening roads and increasing speeds are not how you address traffic. Because, guess what, the data shows that only results in more traffic, look it up.

NO September 3, 2023 (8:07 pm)

I could hear them driving around SWAC this morning too.

AHGuy September 3, 2023 (10:44 pm)

Fyi, the black car mentioned above involved in trying to steal the silver minivan today/Sunday about 10:20am..the license plate # was provided to police right afterwards.

Leon Jackson September 4, 2023 (6:17 am)

I was fairly involved yesterday with the brazen band of punks. Guessing none of which are even 16. I caught them breaking into the minivan and when I yelled at them they ignored me so I busted a uturn to get their plates. They headed back down holden and circled back to get at this van. I flushed them again and then they blazed down 34th behind some white van only to come full circle up 35th but when they saw me they bolted again. That black car is the one and the police have good descriptions of the suspects. The kid driving is the one in the gray sweatpants. These kids have no regard for personal property or lives so I suggest you stay alert while walking and driving. SPD has some evidence now they can fingerprint so hopefully won’t be long before their adventures have concluded.As for that boom truck. It was parked up in gatewood since friday. At 5 am the typical meth-ride pulled up let someone out and it wasn’t long after that both headed W. Never seen that truck before so I assume it was stolen. Two types of people all of which should be dealt with. This city needs a house cleaning so get out and vote. Thank you SPD for your assistance. They were busting the a$# to try and get these punks. They will get caught.

Rob September 4, 2023 (6:11 pm)

Property tax Levi to build a massif prison. With plenty of room for low level theifs. Shop lift we have room for you for a week. Steal a car 3 weeks. So on an so on

leafly September 4, 2023 (8:47 pm)

Look at the snitch situation just a while back at Roxbury Lanes. When the offender gets out there’s the realm of retaliation. Which in some instances involves innocent people being harmed.

Sorry, comment time is over.