WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Store incident; 4 reader reports

STORE INCIDENT: If you noticed police in The Junction – they are investigating a report of what was first reported as a shoplift-turned-robbery at Junction TrueValue but is now described as a case of felony harassment/threat to kill. It happened after 1 pm. The suspect is reported to have said he had a gun. According to what officers told dispatch, was described in part as Hispanic, late teens to early 20s, around 6 feet tall, thin, carrying a black skateboard, headed southeast toward the nearby 7-11.

7:20 PM UPDATE: At tonight’s HPAC meeting (still under way), second-watch commander Lt. Grant Ballingham said that suspect had been found and arrested. He also said it was the second incident of the day at TrueValue, after a “robbery by force” earlier – no arrest in that one.

(back to original report) We’ve received several reader reports since last night:

CAR BATTERY THEFT: Sent by Dustin:

Just wanted to report a car battery theft at 42nd and Genesee last night! I haven’t seen this happen before in this neighborhood. Jeep Wrangler, no damage to the exterior of the vehicle. Just a popped hood.

SLASHED TIRES: From A: “Two tires slashed on my SUV Tuesday, 8-11 pm – parked east side of Avalon, bridge-side of the Rapid Ride stop.”

ABANDONED CAR: A texter spotted what appeared to be another dumped Kia near Hanford/California this morning:

Reminder that the Southwest Precinct is giving out steering-wheel locks again tonight, 5-7 pm, for people with Kia/Hyundai cars.

NEW TACTIC? Last but not least, this alert from Dan, who sent it late last night – what happened wasn’t a crime but he is concerned it might be a new tactic for setting people up:

Last week you reported the rear-end attempted carjackings and now it looks like they have evolved into a new method. I just had a van pull up beside me and honk their horn at me. The guy pointed back and I rolled my window down. He told me my tail lights were out. He was in a van and seemed to have a passenger or 2 in back. I got an uneasy feeling and when I looked in my mirror I could see the red glow in the car behind me of my tail lights working. Wonder what would have happened if I got out to check them. Please advise our community to watch out for this move.

dzag September 27, 2023 (3:40 pm)

Enough is enough I’m sorry for the staff at junction true value. They’ve already had to install a rolling door we need to increase law enforcement and accountability. If we don’t our society will become chaos and businesses will be forced to close. Thank you WSB for continuing to report and hopefully we can work together as a community to make it safer for all.

WSDUDEMAN September 27, 2023 (5:26 pm)

More stick. Less carrot.

RAJR September 27, 2023 (5:27 pm)

Was there any description of the van by chance? I was dropping my husband off for work in Westwood Village last week a little before 6 a.m. and we saw a couple of guys pull in and slowly drive around the lot in a white van with a faded CINTAS logo on it. We pulled into a parking space and they seemed to circle around like they were going to approach us. More of my husban’s co-workers started to arrive and the van took off.

Pdavis September 28, 2023 (9:41 am)

Thank you for letting the community know a potential things to be watchful about. I appreciate it and I feel it can you help protect us: by hearing about questionable approaches. Thanks.!

Curious George September 27, 2023 (5:49 pm)

The Kia has be there a week tomorrow.it was reported then and a parking officer was out today.

Matt September 27, 2023 (7:09 pm)

Only a week? I could have sworn it’s been hanging out there for 2-3 weeks.
Nikita September 27, 2023 (9:14 pm)

Is it still there does it have a license plate on it CCB

NotAVanDriver September 27, 2023 (8:47 pm)

Guess I’ll stop telling drivers their brake lights aren’t working.

Chemist September 27, 2023 (10:43 pm)

Between brake lights on the corners as well as center, there’s several clusters of the brake lights to cover multiple angles. I’m not sure I’d stop driving where I’d need to go to check the lights though, as few people drive with spare bulbs. It’s worth confirming all bulbs are working when safely at home because a lot of people have one or two of the lights out (although LED bulbs are making that less and less common).
Nadmiral September 28, 2023 (9:39 am)

Your comment is rather snarky. I appreciate that person wrote in and simply offered out that it might be deceptive.. who knows maybe they want to get it look at who is in the vehicle to assess what they wanna do or not do. Sometimes through tinted windows you can’t be sure who’s inside but if you get them to roll down the window, you would know.. I’m glad they wrote in

Nikita September 27, 2023 (9:13 pm)

That Kia is it still there I believe no joke that it’s mine!!!! Omgoodness please let me know asap

WSB September 27, 2023 (9:37 pm)

We got the photo some hours ago. If you can, I would advise going to have a look, in case “Curious George” doesn’t see this tonight. If it seems to be yours, consider calling police before you try to go inside – even if it’s been there for some time, there’s always the chance there’s someone sleeping, or passed out, or otherwise, inside.
WSlite September 27, 2023 (10:51 pm)

The Kia owner had it towed there. Not yours.