WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 more business burglaries, including third-time crash-and-grab

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three business burglaries to report this morning – two early today, one a day earlier:

THIRD-TIME CRASH-AND-GRAB: Global Smoke and Vape at 35th/Roxbury has been hit with its third crash-and-grab burglary in less than three weeks:

This was reported just after 2 am, when remotely monitored video showed a “silver sedan” backing into the store. We went over for this photo and they hadn’t yet tallied what was taken – they were just busy cleaning up. The other crash-and-grabs were August 26th and September 6th. SPD incident # for this one is 23-265197.

CANNA WEST CULTURE SHOP: Thanks for the tip on this. Also hit by crash-and-grab burglars early today, Canna West Culture Shop (5435 California SW):

Staff told us they believe the burglars crashed into the store between 4 and 5 am (added: archived police-radio audio indicates the car, a red Hyundai Elantra, was still in the store when police arrived – the burglars may have gotten away in a “black sedan.”) This is NOT the cannabis shop – that’s Canna West Seattle (WSB sponsor) across the street.

Here too, they are still focused on cleanup and taking stock of what was taken, so the Culture Shop will be closed today. Police incident # for this burglary is 23-265255.

KIZUKI RAMEN: This break-in happened early Tuesday; the shop emailed us about it early today:

(Early Tuesday) at approximately 12:45 am, Kizuki Ramen at 42nd and Alaska was burglarized. A white/fair complexion male, 5’10”-6′ with a slight build, was able to enter a secured hallway to my business through an open loading dock bay. He proceeded to shatter a safety window in our fire exit door. He was able to steal our safe, cash register drawer as well as all of our third-party to-go order tablets. (Doordash, Uber Eats, GrubHub etc). Upon reviewing camera footage from Junction 47 management, we were able to determine that this individual had at least one to two “lookouts.” One heavy-set white male in all white, including shoes and baseball cap and a taller male wearing the same clothes.

After entering my business, he proceeded to go back and forth between Kizuki and The Lodge for nearly 6 hours! The register drawer they took was full of maybe $20 in loose coin change and the tablets are now worthless thanks to our awesome IT department. I’d say that’s instant Karma!

We’ll add the police report # when we get it. (Added: 23-264528.)

Another One September 13, 2023 (9:53 am)

Are businesses not allowed to have the roll-down metal doors that are all over in other countries and cities? Seems like it’s time to get those…

James September 13, 2023 (10:07 am)

I am so sorry this happened to Canna. Their staff are honestly some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and it’s heartbreaking to know they have to do deal with this.

waikikigirl September 13, 2023 (10:18 am)

WOW 6 hrs in the building and no one noticed them, I’m not familiar with the buildings set up but geez seems like a long time. So sorry to hear this happened…luv the spicy miso ramen!

Natalie September 13, 2023 (12:51 pm)

Thank you! Unfortunately, the way our building is set up, there are lots of corridors between both restaurants that someone could hide out in and go unnoticed.
1994 September 13, 2023 (10:18 pm)

No alarm system? to make loud noise or notify the police? or did they snip the wires?

Brian September 13, 2023 (10:18 am)

At least it hasn’t yet gotten to the point where these crash and grabs are happening during the middle of the day. I say yet because nothing would surprise me as we continue to let society crumble under the weight of unresolvable capitalism.

Terry September 13, 2023 (11:14 am)

Give it a couple months…
Brandon September 13, 2023 (11:22 am)

We’d have to properly identify the problem to fix society. Obviously, we’re not there yet if we think its capitalism. I’d say two wrongs don’t make a right, but hey we could accelerate to the bottom and try socialism learning nothing from every other country that’s tried it.A return to free market capitalism would help though. Government is tipping the scales with subsidies and what not creating the illusion it’s the fault of the system. The economic burdens your neighbors are facing aren’t because of successful economic theory, it’s because that theory is being ignored by bureaucrats by the will of the people.Mind you, these issues were predicted in the 80s and the solutions shooed away. Quite frustrating watching it unfold around you and people capitalize on wrong answers only four decades later.
- Brian September 13, 2023 (1:07 pm)
  
  That’s cool and all but the actual solutions to our shared conundrum aren’t publishable on this website.
  - Beto September 13, 2023 (3:38 pm)
    
    You are 100% right. Sad but in Seattle, all those voters prefer to pamper those lowlives and turn their back to businesses that pay taxes, etc.
    - Natalie September 13, 2023 (11:08 pm)
      
      I personally witnessed people in Junction Plaza “park” stealing city owned signs and blockades from Summerfest (left at my shops corner because the parade was the week after). Approached an SPD officer catty corner at QFC, after I had enough of the “shenanigans”. Asked if he could do anything about the homeless population in the park stealing city property and literally setting up a perimeter around their “home/hangout/get high for the day” spot. This was our exact exchange. Me: excuse me sir, I have been watching these people steal all these signs throughout the day and set up illegal barriers in public spaces. Is there anything you can do to get the signs back and make them stop? SPD: Unfortunately I would get into more trouble trying to retrieve city property than I would if it were your property. Me: *dumbfounded* But you’re a city employee, isn’t that your job?! What the actual f#@/!SPD: *slow and calculated look of defeat and frustration* I know. If it was your personal property I could get it back.Me: if it were my property, I already would’ve went and gotten it back!SPD: hell yeah!Why the hell do we have to do the jobs of the very few who continue to try to keep the peace but their hands are completely tied by this horrible council?!
- OopsAllImperalism September 14, 2023 (3:06 pm)
  
  “try socialism learning nothing from every other country that’s tried it” you got an example that doesn’t involve the U.S. meddling with democratic elections of socialist leaders? wild you understand that government involvement in our economy, but think we kept to ourselves when those other countries were trying to restructure their economy.
  - Brandon September 14, 2023 (11:40 pm)
    
    Never said our hands were clean. Let’s follow that thought though, if our government doesn’t allow others to enjoy the invisible fortunes of socialism, you think they’d let us?
    - OopsAllImperalism September 15, 2023 (4:17 am)
      
      i’m sorry, are you saying our government doesn’t direct the structure of the U.S.’s capitalism and which companies and industries are subsidized and promoted? you think they’re sitting idly by allowing an unadulterated free market to operate? our government will continue to have its hand in the world’s economy because it needs to to feed itself. i suppose i’m the optimist here that you can elect representatives from your community to change how the government operates. it’s wild you’re not only dismissing other organizations of life b/c the U.S. told you “this is the best you’re gonna get”, but trying to get others to align with your passive, roll-over world view.
    - Brandon September 15, 2023 (12:27 pm)
      
      Oopsallimperialism, I don’t know how you got so confused on what I’m saying when I clearly said the government is tipping the scales in my OP. I’m pretty sure we’re on the exact same wavelength because I too think all this is salvageable at the hands of the voter. This is definitely not the best we can get, and I demand accountability and try to spread that ideal when conversing with my colleagues and neighbors. But evidently nobody wants to make the change based on the past trends. They generally prefer the bombastic promises and when they don’t come to fruition say “we at least we tried the impossible” instead of actually doing something of value. So, while I’m an optimist, I’m also a realist. Eventually it will be figured out whether it be my grandkids generation or later. Hasn’t been hard enough apparently, or everybody collectively threw in the towel because you can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink.

rico September 13, 2023 (10:24 am)

I have so much empathy for these hardworking store owners. They either have an unfathomable amount of patience, are stubborn, or do not really see that there are no changes on the horizon. This is the new norm, exemplified by the fact our “leaders” rarely even make a comment about the issue. Ridiculous.

shotinthefoot September 13, 2023 (10:28 am)

Poor Global Smoke and Vape. It has to be disheartening to try so hard to run a small business and have this keep happening before they even have a chance to recover.

Jeff September 13, 2023 (10:31 am)

Feel bad for Canna. They are best weed shop in the city. I love all those guys.

willy September 13, 2023 (10:34 am)

What the hell are cops doing if these kia guys can go around each night doing the same exact thing and I know for a fact its blatantly easy seeing one of these cars driving around especially in the middle of the night. They pay cops to sleep on the job what is going on?????? I dont even believe more funding can fix this its called EFFORT.

Seattlite September 13, 2023 (12:45 pm)

Do not bash Seattle’s police officers. They do the best that they can do with the police officer shortage. Speak to the people who created police officer shortage.
- CopBasher September 14, 2023 (11:12 pm)
  
  dude, where have you been the past week? we have cops in leadership positions that literally think the people they are supposed to serve are worth as much as $11k. don’t bash them? please…
Peter September 13, 2023 (12:50 pm)

SPOG is explicitly clear that their union members are intentionally allowing rampant crime and refusing to respond to calls for help as retaliation against the people of Seattle for now bowing down to the union’s political views. The only way this will get better is to abolish SPOG.
- Jeff September 13, 2023 (4:06 pm)
  
  I agree. The SPOG union is gross. Unions should be for laborers not oppressors.
- Seattlite September 13, 2023 (8:34 pm)
  
  If you have a video of Mike Sloan saying that, please post it.
  - Byron James September 13, 2023 (10:57 pm)
    
    Don’t hold your breath. No such video exists and no such statements were made.
  - Jay September 14, 2023 (9:57 am)
    
    Look at Mike Solan’s podcast on the SPOG website. He has episodes about sick outs and slowdowns.
W SEA Fields September 13, 2023 (3:02 pm)

“Try harder” isn’t a helpful suggestion. SPD has lost 600 officers in the last three
years and is still woefully understaffed.
They simply do not have the resources for the sort of proactive policing
most of us never even thought about: patrolling a neighborhood during third
shift, noticing suspicious behavior or vehicles, then initiating a stop based
on expired tags or an illegal turn. The
vehicle might come back as stolen, or maybe there’s an outstanding warrant or
guns/contraband in the car. Multiply that
encounter several times over and that’s what took bad guys off the street – and
kept antisocial behavior at bay – while most of us were sleeping. Now, SPD (and
many other city forces) are reduced to triaging calls, racing from crime scene
to crime scene rather than preventing them in the first place.
- Wseattleite September 14, 2023 (10:58 am)
  
  Bingo

Juneau st resident September 13, 2023 (11:26 am)

My car got broken into last night. They fleeced the joint. Don’t know if it’s related or not but we live around Canna’s lovely shop on the west side of california.

East Coast Cynic September 13, 2023 (11:51 am)

The weed shops could benefit from overnight security guards………..with 12 gauge shotguns:).

WSB September 13, 2023 (12:13 pm)

Just to be clear, as noted in the story, this was not at the cannabis store – it was the affiliated “Culture Shop” across the street.
Capitalist September 14, 2023 (11:19 pm)

murder over property, smile :)

jim September 13, 2023 (12:07 pm)

They need those huge concrete blocks in front of that store on 35th and roxbury

Jeff September 13, 2023 (12:28 pm)

Those are such a blight and hostile to the neighborhood. Dislike.
- flimflam September 14, 2023 (8:16 am)
  
  Jeff, protecting a storefront with a bollard would be “hostile”? So its mean and unfriendly to block people who would drive a car through your front door to rob you (repeatedly)? Oy vey.
- WSToph September 14, 2023 (10:31 am)
  
  Bollards don’t have to be ugly concrete blocks. One particular building I remember had bollards that were disguised as planters and something like decorative fencing. It really fit with the look of the building, and overall had a nice design esthetic. I suppose parklets and bike corrals could be another deterrent, but considering the easily moved merch, I wouldn’t be surprised if it went from crash and grab back to smash and grab, with getaway car just outside. Different tool, same result.
Brian September 13, 2023 (1:09 pm)

That the city doesn’t already have a bollard installation service on contract for permanent mitigations is testament to their abject failure in protecting pedestrians and literal buildings from weaponized vehicles.
1994 September 13, 2023 (10:14 pm)

They can be painted to look quite nice! A new small business venture for someone who is creative and skilled at painting! Get creative Jeff!

Scarlett September 13, 2023 (12:13 pm)

There are no guarantees anymore, we are living in a free-for-all downward spiral where everyone is responsible for their own safety. I would call it the final stage of capitalism, but of course we don’t really live in a true capitalist system, rather crony capitalism which relies on massive governmental intervention – and lobbyists – to keep it all propped up.

Kevin September 13, 2023 (1:14 pm)

After living in West Seattle for over 60 years, my wife and I moved to the Midwest recently in retirement so my wife could be close to her large family. It breaks my heart to see my beloved West Seattle go from the finest neighborhood in Seattle to an unsafe, crime ridden peninsula. Between the car thefts, the business burglaries, the robberies, and the continuing homelessness pandemic, I fear for the future of West Seattle and its wonderful people. I feel helpless being so far from home, but will continue to pray for this amazing community. If anybody can turn this horrible trend around, it is the people of West Seattle. Best wishes and good luck. Finally, thanks to the West Seattle Blog for your outstanding work on a daily basis!

Just wondering September 13, 2023 (2:16 pm)

How about a KIA bait car with locking doors :)

Socialcontract September 13, 2023 (2:55 pm)

Something to do with all the stolen, totalled cars.
TM September 13, 2023 (3:09 pm)

Kia bait car isn’t the craziest idea. Maybe skip the locking doors but have the engine disabled, and live cams inside & out?
Mr. Snark September 13, 2023 (5:52 pm)

Honestly that’d be cheaper…and probably more effective…than giving the same money on the SPD. Win win!

Mark32 September 13, 2023 (3:14 pm)

How about putting people in jail and is three strikes your out still a thing?

WSB September 13, 2023 (3:19 pm)

The latter only applies to a few crimes.
Jeff September 13, 2023 (4:07 pm)

How about giving people better social safety nets so they don’t have to resort to a life of crime.
- Socialcontract September 13, 2023 (6:08 pm)
  
  The Kia/Hyundai situation seems to be more about social media clout than “last resort” crime, though.
Joan September 13, 2023 (6:14 pm)

I prefer one strike and you’re out.
EveryoneInPrisons September 14, 2023 (11:26 pm)

name something more American than taking a rule from a sport and applying it to people’s lives to glutton up our prison industrial complex!

oerthehillz September 13, 2023 (8:19 pm)

I wonder what the significance is of the “look outs” wearing all white. Seems overly conspicuous but maybe that’s the point.

Natalie September 13, 2023 (11:16 pm)

That was absolutely the idea. Smoking cigarettes in an alley with multiple restaurants and apartments, pretending to belong there. Telling my brand new dishwasher, the last one out of Kizuki, who is trained to close that bay door every night, “oh we work in the building and are on break, we’ll close it when we go back in.” These a$$#oles and scumbags are getting smarter and more calculated. From what I saw on our cameras, these individuals do not appear to be homeless or under duress. One of them is wearing $200+ Jordans.

valvashon September 13, 2023 (9:34 pm)

“They simply do not have the resources for the sort of proactive policingmost of us never even thought about: patrolling a neighborhood during thirdshift, noticing suspicious behavior or vehicles, then initiating a stop basedon expired tags or an illegal turn. Thevehicle might come back as stolen, or maybe there’s an outstanding warrant orguns/contraband in the car. Multiply thatencounter several times over and that’s what took bad guys off the street – andkept antisocial behavior at bay – while most of us were sleeping.”Actually, this is what gets people of color killed by the sort of rogue cops that this city (and many other large cities) are full of. We need national standards for the behavior, training and temperament of police officers, along with the reduction of the power of the police unions to challenge the dismissal of what you might call “bad cops”. Add in a national database of these “bad cops” so they don’t just bounce from force to force. While I am a strong supporter of the Unions, police unions are unlike other unions, focused mainly on protecting and reinstating their members, rather than collective bargaining.

Les September 14, 2023 (3:03 pm)

Valvashon,The vast majority of police officers are good. That should be the default, not the other way around. Not only are the police understaffed and overworked, they’re also restricted from doing the proactive policing that needs to be done. Sadly, they are now wrongly cast as villains. We’re going to need to pay police a whole lot more to entice them to come back to Seattle under these horrible working conditions and attempt to turn things around. Meanwhile, it’s the golden era for the enabled and empowered criminals that no longer fear consequences.

Big Al September 14, 2023 (9:39 pm)

Would be cool if there were security cameras with the ability to automatically contact SPD whenever they think they detect crooks breaking in. If think technology like that exists. If not, there should be. Imagine if there were – police might actually have a chance to get there in time

Sorry, comment time is over.