WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car wash burglarized; salon card reader taken; brown Sedona stolen (update: found)

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:

CAR WASH BURGLARIZED: Thanks for the tip on this. The coin machines at Car Wash Palace (35th/Graham) were stolen early today. According to archived dispatch audio, police were sent there around quarter till 6 am because of an alarm, and discovered the machines missing. Our tipster says that left the car wash closed for business this morning, but we haven’t been able to verify that yet.

SALON CARD READER THEFT/FRAUD: According to SPD report narrative, Tram’s Salon on the north edge of The Junction was hit by a card-reader thief and fraudster Monday afternoon:

At approximately (1:30 pm), the (thief) walked into the establishment and claimed he wanted to prepay for his services. The (victim) handed the suspect a small device used for processing card information for payment. Unknown to the (victim), the (thief) somehow used his card to refund himself $2,500. According to the (victim), he then ran out of the store with the … payment device. There is a possibility the money could have been taken after he stole the machine … later in the day, (the victim) received notification from the establishment’s bank.

The thief was described as a Black man in his mid-20s, 6 feet tall, thin, in a hoodie and mask.

STOLEN VAN: Tina sent the report and photo:

Our 2017 Kia Sedona was stolen from in front of our house last night, near 35th & Holden. It is brown with a U-Haul hitch installed. Washington License plate # BGU7189. Would appreciate if folks could keep an eye out.

SATURDAY UPDATE: Tina emailed to report, “Our minivan was recovered along with two other stolen vehicles. They were parked next to an abandoned apartment building on the 1700 block of SW Barton.”

waikikigirl November 14, 2023 (12:26 pm)

Yesterday 11/13 driving by our Chiropractor’s office we noticed their 2 front windows were broken and boarded up! WHY? is this the new norm to destroy small businesses and make it harder on them than it already is!

35th Ave. Chiropractor on the corner of 35th Ave SW and SW Roxbury. Great Doctor and crew!

Allen November 14, 2023 (1:22 pm)

My spouse witnessed the new Meineke auto on 35th and Barton get broken into while waiting for the bus the other morning around 5:30am. They watched him on the phone with the cops as they proceeded with the theft. We as citizens should not tolerate this behavior as the new norm.

HD November 14, 2023 (2:04 pm)

The same card reader scam almost happened to my nail tech in the Morgan junction about a year ago. Thankfully she was being uber vigilant and the would be thief wasn’t successful.

drop November 14, 2023 (2:52 pm)

I live across from Car Wash Palace. It’s been closed all day, currently blocked off with caution tape.

Seattlite November 14, 2023 (3:31 pm)

Hard working business owners are having their livelihoods attacked by West Seattle’s prolific criminals. I feel for both of these businesses owners and employees.

Michele November 14, 2023 (4:31 pm)

This card reader scam was also done to a salon in White Center on Monday night. Masked person in a hoodie.

Elle November 14, 2023 (5:05 pm)

The car wash needs to be shut down. It draws all hours of the night mischief.

East Coast Cynic November 14, 2023 (6:43 pm)

It’s a little sketch in the evening, but it’s pretty safe during the day from what I’ve experienced.
Morgan Graham November 14, 2023 (9:27 pm)

Ya, great solution. Let’s just shut down innocent businesses to stop crime.
Neighbor November 15, 2023 (3:30 pm)

There was a geotechnical evaluation done at the car wash and adjacent properties this past summer. I’d imagine it will be redeveloped in the near future.
Concerned Neighbor November 15, 2023 (3:47 pm)

I live close to the car wash and have seen plenty of sketchy activity happening there, especially in the evenings/night. If nothing else it shouldn’t be open 24/7.

PSPS November 14, 2023 (5:18 pm)

Speaking of car washes, with the demise of Elephant, there is not a single full-service car wash in the city of Seattle. Sure, you can go a detailing place that will take hours and you can call a mobile wash and detailing place like Spiffy to schedule something that will cost $100 or more. But the standard drive-up full-service operations are all gone.

waikikigirl November 14, 2023 (6:28 pm)

There’s still the Elephant in Burien across the street from Kennedy High School, how good they are I have no idea, because I have my husband to wash my car. 🥰
Rhonda November 14, 2023 (9:54 pm)

Brown Bear still has a full-service car wash on Elliott Ave in Interbay and Costco has a full tunnel-wash on 4th Avenue. In West Seattle there’s the Shell station on Roxbury and Hegg’s Chevron on 35th in Sunrise Heights.
- helpermonkey November 15, 2023 (9:06 am)
  
  FYI the car wash at the 35th Ave SW Chevron is no longer in operation. Apparently someone ran into part of the mechanism and it was never repaired. Currently being used as a storage area.
1994 November 14, 2023 (9:55 pm)

How about Brown Bear Car Wash? there are several locations not too far away like in Interbay, Rainier Ave S, Des Moines.
- PSPS November 14, 2023 (10:27 pm)
  
  None of the car washes mentioned above are drive-up full-service like the Elephants on 4th or Denny were. All the car washes left in Seattle are exterior-only, not drive-up full-service where they do both the inside and outside.

WSDAD November 14, 2023 (6:13 pm)

I guess we should start calling the police soon as we see a person with a mask and a hoodie.

Ts November 14, 2023 (9:07 pm)

Think I saw it on Delridge headed south at 6:44 pm. Wasn’t sure of the color, no license plate. Sorry I wasn’t able to log onto wsb to check for a report as I was driving, I always try if I get stopped at a light

Tina Vlasaty November 16, 2023 (9:53 am)

Hi there. Are you saying you saw our minivan on Delridge? Would love more details if you have them.

Karen November 15, 2023 (8:02 am)

What a rotten thing to do to any small business, I especially feel sad for Tram. She and her team are the sweetest, hardworking women you’ll find anywhere. I’m guessing $2,500 is about 100 manicures or pedicures. Extra generous tipping coming from here!

anonyme November 15, 2023 (2:20 pm)

I was in Pantarelli today and had to use a card reader (they didn’t want cash). When these items are just left on the counter they are asking for trouble. I try to avoid using these whenever possible, but a lot of businesses care way more about what is convenient for them rather than what is safe for a customer.

Jim November 15, 2023 (5:12 pm)

On a historical note the shell of the car wash tunnel on Fauntleroy is still there. I suspect most people drive by that not realizing it was a car wash. It is part of Alki Lumber now. It is on your right as you take the right turn lane to Avalon at 36th Ave SW.

Sorry, comment time is over.