WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two cases of thieves striking twice, plus a followup

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports today, plus a followup:

TWICE-STOLEN SOUL: Reported by Scott: “Belvidere neighborhood. Our 2014 Kia Soul stolen again last night. Last stolen 9/26. Mocha color, APP8680, not found yet. Left us our ‘CLUB’ in the planting strip. Ignition still not fixed from the September theft. Locked and CLUBBED. Both thefts reported to police. Sheesh, expensive and annoying.” We asked if the “club” was cut or otherwise removed. Scott replied, “Not cut, seems to have been ‘popped’ out intact.” (5:08 pm note: What sounds like Scott’s car, including the plate, was just used in a purse-smatch robbery south of The Junction. Separate story to come.)

PORCH THIEF STRIKES TWICE: Reported by Karen:

I wanted to submit some footage of a person who took 3 pairs of shoes from off my front porch. This person is seen at 9:05 am pt on Tuesday 10/24 on my front porch with no shoes & grabbing a pair of boots initially as well as a pair of loafers. This person came back a second time at 3:05 pm Pt to grab a pair of sneakers. I have filed a police report and this is in the Morgan Junction area. I believe this person is looking at homes in the area taking random items.

ARBOR HEIGHTS ARREST FOLLOWUP: We’re continuing to follow the case of the 41-year-old man arrested by police early Saturday after a short standoff in Arbor Heights, removed (along with a gun and a dog) from what turned out to be a stolen car that he drove into a yard, hitting a tree. The man remains in King County Jail, bail set at $90,000. Charges do not appear to have been filed yet in this case but he was already awaiting trial on what the jail docket lists as charges of unlawful gun possession and stolen-vehicle possession, related to a case last year. He had spent a month in jail this fall and just got out a week before this incident; he also spent a month in jail last year.

Vanessa October 25, 2023 (2:56 pm)

When you say “club”, do you mean a steering wheel lock?

Lucian Smith October 25, 2023 (2:57 pm)

Scott replied what?

WSB October 25, 2023 (3:31 pm)

Fixed.

CarDriver October 25, 2023 (3:07 pm)

As Scott found out-I had that lesson also-steering wheels are plastic. A sharp knife or saw will easily cut a wheel and then slip off the club. When my car was recovered the still locked club was on the passenger side floor.

WSB October 25, 2023 (3:28 pm)

This wasn’t cut. I asked. It appeared to have been “popped off.”
- CarDriver October 25, 2023 (3:33 pm)
  
  WSB. Possibly the thieves have figured out a way to unlock it. Also, possible the club wasn’t snugged tight when it was put on, leaving enough wiggle room to pop off. In any case a royal pain in the a** for the car owner.
- PDiddy October 25, 2023 (4:24 pm)
  
  Back in the day when steering wheel clubs first came around a lot of thieves could twist and bend the steering wheel to pop it off. I think that is probably what is happening here. I think a hidden kill switch is probably a better option though it wont stop them from damaging it. I am surprised how many Kias and Hyundis are being stole sure would not buy one given the whole usb scandal and the lack of resolution by the auto maker.

Dawson October 25, 2023 (4:26 pm)

Get a clutch lock. It goes over the arm of either brake pedal or clutch pedal. It’s similar to the wheel club but less likely to be cut off as a result.

Savannah October 25, 2023 (5:15 pm)

Yet another stolen car used … in yet another purse snatch … and in broad daylight. This has got to stop!

RecreationalDriver October 25, 2023 (5:18 pm)

Install a kill switch, people.

tim October 25, 2023 (6:10 pm)

I think what they’re saying is the steering wheel is cut, not the club. Steering wheel is just plastic. Easily broken..Then the club slides out.

flimflam October 25, 2023 (6:34 pm)

Dude was out and awaiting a trial from crimes LAST YEAR? Yikes.

Neighbor October 25, 2023 (6:52 pm)

While a kill switch will prevent the car from being stolen, it will not prevent these jerks from breaking the windows, breaking the steering wheel, and getting into the wires to try to jump start it. The thieves won’t get away with the car, but the owner is still left with the clean up and headache of dealing with insurance and finding an open spot in a repair shop. And like this Kia owner, they will have to deal with it again and again….what a nightmare.

Chris October 25, 2023 (7:04 pm)

Dawson has the right idea. We have one. Easy to use. Metal. We got ours at the key store across from Safeway/Admiral years ago .

Chris October 25, 2023 (7:07 pm)

We believe it is called a “brake pedal lock.” They have them on Amazon too.

1994 October 25, 2023 (9:03 pm)

Repeat offender is right where he belongs and can’t victimize us while locked up: The man remains in King County Jail, bail set at $90,000. Charges do not appear to have been filed yet in this case but he was already awaiting trial on what the jail docket lists as charges of unlawful gun possession and stolen-vehicle possession, related to a case last year. He had spent a month in jail this fall and just got out a week before this incident; he also spent a month in jail last year.

Brad October 25, 2023 (9:40 pm)

Kia and Hyundai should be forced to send owners of their affected cars an Apple AirTag to track these stolen vehicles

SM October 25, 2023 (9:59 pm)

Ugh. I’m so sorry. We also reported our Kia van stolen this morning. We believe it was stolen between 1am-5am. Smashed the glass and drove off. So much crime!😵‍💫

Pugmom October 25, 2023 (10:14 pm)

The car is currently outside of my fence with the motor. Running for the last five hours! I am in White Center. Please call me.2oh6 914 5035

Alki resident October 25, 2023 (10:36 pm)

Scott police are with your car. You should hear from police tonite. Get a tracker put on your car please. They stole my friends car in Burien tonite and the Soul followed it. Driver is on camera from an establishment in Burien so hopefully good footage.

WSB October 25, 2023 (10:52 pm)

Sounds like SPD has just been made aware of the car and will be arranging to check it for prints etc.

Lox October 27, 2023 (5:03 am)

Concur with those recommending pedal locks. One end around one of the inner “spokes” of the steering wheel. Not the outer ring of the wheel. I cram two onto my old truck. Doubled up on the clutch pedal so there isn’t even room for them to use tools. Been broken into twice and they’ve given up both times. Even left some nice needlenose vicegrips and a screwdriver behind last time.

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