WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Crash-and-grab burglary at Rush Hour in The Junction; two vehicle thefts (update: one found)

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

RUSH HOUR CRASH-AND-GRAB: Thanks for the tips and photos. Above is Jolene‘s photo of the stolen Chevrolet Silverado that was used in a crash-and-grab burglary at Rush Hour in The Junction (4448 California SW) just before 5 am. We just went to Rush Hour to find out more from the shop’s owners.

They told us the burglar(s) got away with some clothing, but not a major dollar amount – the damage was far more costly. Police told them the truck had been stolen in West Seattle (per incident audio, that happened in South Delridge, and the pickup’s owner wasn’t even aware yet). No description of the burglar(s) so far. Meantime, the shop owners are not sure yet whether they’ll be able to open today but promised an update. The shop has been in The Junction less than a year.

(3:07 PM UPDATE: Rush Hour IS open now after some repairs and will be until 8 pm tonight. We also asked them about their moving plans; they expect to open a permanent location in the ex-bike/ex-beauty storefront at 4517 California SW on December 2.)

STOLEN KONA: At least two other auto thefts in West Seattle this morning – first from John: “Reported to SPD a stolen white Hyundai Kona (with the anti-theft recall installed), License # BVL 7802. Stolen in North Admiral near the corner of SW College St and 44th Ave SW, between midnight and 4:30 am.” (Added: Police incident # 23-332133.) SATURDAY UPDATE: John says it was one of the three stolen Kias found near 17th and Barton, along with Tina’s, reported here on Tuesday.

STOLEN PICKUP: This just came in as we were writing this roundup – Jeff‘s black Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was stolen around 8 am:

I wanted to report a stolen truck, which was taken from directly in front of our house (North Admiral, due east of Hiawatha). I had started it to defrost the windows and warm it up, went inside to help get the kids out the door for school, and came back outside and it was gone. Keys were in the truck. I filed a police report, Incident #: 23-332193. The license plate is C92172X.

HS November 17, 2023 (10:59 am)

What the heck? I just walked by the other day thinking that they have great merchandise but wishing the building offered them a better (more open) retail storefront. Now this :(

WSB November 17, 2023 (11:04 am)

The building (which also holds the Junction location of West Seattle Coworking [WSB sponsor]) remains slated for demolition and redevelopment, though not imminently.
- HS November 17, 2023 (12:25 pm)
  
  Oh that’s right. I had forgotten.

SLJ November 17, 2023 (11:11 am)

This is awful. My daughter and I went to Rush Hour recently and their stuff is great! Highly recommend it.

Apotheosis November 17, 2023 (11:39 am)

My 2000-era Chevy Silverado parked in driveway in Highland Park was almost stolen a few weeks ago – luckily a neighbor interrupted the thieves around 4AM as he was heading out to work – was told they were driving a black chevy avalanche at the time – wonder if same ones targeting these trucks to use in smash and grabs. Spent about $500 getting ignition, etc. fixed and fortifying. I later called the police non-emergency line to report but they said I needed to be home for officers to come in person if I wanted to report it…

Nadmiralrez November 18, 2023 (9:23 am)

Everybody, please remember that you can make police reports online nowadays! Please use that option unless you’re wanting an officer to arrive. Also, remember that you can text 911 as well. The texting option was created to protect people from being overheard during an emergency

bradley November 17, 2023 (12:25 pm)

Guess the creeps were out in force last night. Our car was rumbled too on 45th and Charlestown.

Danimal November 17, 2023 (12:26 pm)

From a former certified mechanic – warming up your vehicle by idling it in the mornings is one of the worst things you can do to your engine. Even worse for Dodge Hemi V-8 engines as the camshaft gets oil starved because there’s no splash lubrication. Any other vehicle, when the engine is cold the computer enriches the fuel mixture, which puts large amounts of fuel into the cylinders, washing the oil from the cylinder walls and wearing out the cylinder walls, piston rings, and oil control rings, as well as diluting your engine oil with excess fuel. If your windows are frosted over, you should scrape or use deicer spray, never let it sit and warm up. At the very least, run the engine at higher rpm’s off idle and help it warm up faster that way. A car should begin driving within 15 seconds of being started.

Truckasaurus November 17, 2023 (4:42 pm)

I have this same truck, it’s got a warm-up mode specifically for clearing frost and warming up the interior. Would be surprised if they didn’t think of any of these things when designing it.
Warm it up November 18, 2023 (9:26 am)

As a mechanical engineer who studied combustion engines at UW, I disagree. Warming up the engine is beneficial. Stressing a cold engine only benefits mechanics.

John November 17, 2023 (1:43 pm)

Maybe it is time for Neighborhood Safety Patrols? Seems like these theives will be less likely to steal cars or do the B/E smash and grabs if citizens are out walking in small groups and with cameras to document crime in progress. Add a trained Belgian Shepherd to the Safety Patrols and I think Car Thefts would quickly drop to zero in patrolled areas.

Tony November 18, 2023 (7:31 pm)

Fantasyland But kudos to actually thinking of doing something.

West is Best Seattle November 17, 2023 (2:25 pm)

Rush Hour has a one star review on Google from a month ago that says “If you guys don’t move locations I’m robbing your store this month.” Maybe the theft was targeted? I hadn’t heard of the store before this article so was checking it out online and saw that.

WSB November 17, 2023 (3:06 pm)

They ARE moving (adding that in update above) …

Jeff November 18, 2023 (1:16 pm)

Just wanted to follow up on the stolen truck. We have recovered it. Thank you West Seattle community for the help!

CarDriver November 18, 2023 (4:16 pm)

Jeff. Where was it found? Any fingerprints/evidence found to follow up on?

Lance mercer November 18, 2023 (7:14 pm)

White Ford pickup was left abandoned on my black on 37th couple days ago, one in this pic looks to be the same, who knows these days. I had my 4runner cleaned out of everything couple months ago, they tried to steal it but no luck ..luckily renters insurance cover all the items but still set me back, so frustrating how much this is happening..hopefully everybody is on alert ..cops are spread thin , sure they appreciate any/all help we can provide..

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