WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Purse-snatching robbery reported in Admiral District

6:30 PM: Police are investigating a reported purse-snatching robbery in the Admiral District in the past half-hour. We haven’t heard the exact location – the victim was to meet officers in a “parking lot … near the bank” by Admiral/California (which has four banks in the vicinity). The robbers were reported to have pushed the victim down and stolen her purse. (So far, no SFD dispatches for medical assistance.) The robbers have been described so far as two Asian males, one Asian female, all in masks, dark clothing, around 18 years old, fleeing in a “4-door black or blue sedan.”

7:50 PM: As noted in comments, the call log puts this report in the 2600 block of California, which suggests the Safeway lot (which has both Chase and Umpqua banks on its west side).

Westytoo November 5, 2023 (7:15 pm)

Couple of questions: if they have masks on, how does someone know their ethnicity? Also, curious about the age of the victim and if perhaps they had gone to an ATM prior?

Tim Pepperell November 5, 2023 (7:27 pm)

I witnessed the incident, only the purse snatcher had a mask on. The lady tried reaching into the car to retrieve her purse, that’s when she saw the other two in the car.
lafayetteParent November 5, 2023 (7:29 pm)

Masks can often mean like a COVID-style facial covering to where you could still see the person’s eyes. Voice can also be an indicator of what ethnic group someone is from
MW November 5, 2023 (8:04 pm)

It’s no different than being able to recognize ethnicity when sunglasses are hiding the eyes.
Michael Phelps November 6, 2023 (12:21 pm)

Have you not heard of “hands”?

concerned November 5, 2023 (7:19 pm)

Any details on the Rite Aid (California Ave) robbery that happened this evening too? I was there about an hour before that incident occurred. All of this crime is really unsettling.

WSB November 6, 2023 (9:42 am)

It was dispatched as a shoplift turned violent, which technically if the person was caught and charged is a robbery, but not a holdup-style robbery. Not all that uncommon, unfortunately.

lafayetteParent November 5, 2023 (7:33 pm)

911 map shows it on the 2600 block of California Ave SW which would imply the Chase parking lot which has had several purse snatch robberies in the past few months

WSB November 5, 2023 (7:49 pm)

I was just about to say that.
https://twitter.com/Seattle_PDW1/status/1721359013412315259
Chase/Umpqua are on the west side of the Safeway lot.
- Tim Pepperell November 5, 2023 (8:08 pm)
  
  It happened in the Safeway parking lot, near the Umpqua ATM.

DH November 5, 2023 (8:40 pm)

Reminded me to change my handbag to a crossbody. Hopefully that helps to deter the behavior. 🤞

wssz November 5, 2023 (10:50 pm)

I’m hearing that cross body purses are no safer. Carrying one that way could result in more serious injury in their determination to take the purse. I use a backpack and have been warned that it’s also not safe as they can grab the pack to twist me to the ground and take it. Heard that from a woman who works with the actual kids who have been convicted of these crimes. It’s scary all the way around.

Just keep what you actually need for a trip to the store in your pockets. Make copies of all important ID and credit cards so you have them and can report anything lost. And stay super aware of your surroundings.
- Diane November 6, 2023 (1:03 am)
  
  after all these purse snatchings I’ve switched to a small Sling Bag (cross body) that’s zipped inside/under my zipped jacket; as an Elder woman, this sh-t is scary 😨
- Alki resident November 6, 2023 (9:03 am)
  
  It’s any bag you carry over you. They have a cutter that clips the strap right off of you. It’s strong enough to clip a cable off of bags and purses at Marshall’s stores. They grab a whole row of them , clip the cable and out they go. Take what you need to the store to make your purchase ID, cards, and leave the rest home.
  - Diane November 6, 2023 (5:26 pm)
    
    I no longer have any visible bag or straps; all inside my zipped up jacket
- Karen Jones November 10, 2023 (2:50 pm)
  
  Sadly a crossbody style bag needs to be concealed under a jacket. I go to the stores now with only my ID and a CREDIT card.
- Cristina Perez November 11, 2023 (2:02 am)
  
  You should be aware of your surroundings at all times anyways
Paul November 6, 2023 (6:33 am)

I recently learned that there are cross body bags that have a metal strap that is then covered in the same fabric as the bag this making it almost impossible to cut or rip off the body. A friend got one for a European trip.

Rocky Bullwinkle November 5, 2023 (9:30 pm)

Seems like several purse snatchings and other crimes happening at that parking lot. I believe Safeway and the businesses that share that lot should hire a 24 hour armed security detail. Plus SPD should have scheduled evening drive throughs. (I recall another purse snatching happening at 6 p.m.)

Anne November 5, 2023 (10:10 pm)

Right-“ scheduled “ evening drive throughs- that’l do it.
- Rebecca November 6, 2023 (5:29 am)
  
  Wells Fargo has hired a security guard to patrol the building that includes several of the stores along California. It’s put minds at ease a bit, but unfortunately it seems like the ones who cause problems have now figured out the guard’s schedule…
WSN November 7, 2023 (6:31 pm)

Sometimes I go grocery shopping to that Safeway late at night (after 9PM), sometimes as late as midnight, and I have seen many times very suspicious vehicles parked in that lot for example I have seen many times what I think it was drug dealing, with other cars approaching a parked car, giving them money through the passenger window and getting something back. I am a 6’4″ man with athletic build and I have chased a couple of times a couple of guys that were clearly targeting women to snatch their purses, in both situations the guys got in a car and left the parking lot. I truly believe that if the businesses in that area had undercover security in the parking lot for a few weeks they would be able to catch quite a few criminals.
- Cristina Perez November 11, 2023 (2:07 am)
  
  You could be putting yourself in harms way ,is a purse worth getting shot overAnd ladies cmon your bra is the best place to keep stuff anyways, or keep pepper spray in your hand Common sense is all I’m sayinh

DavidWS November 5, 2023 (10:09 pm)

So horrible, but sadly, it’s becoming common place. Please people, get your votes in! Good city leadership is essential in protecting us all.

Pelicans November 6, 2023 (4:11 am)

This happened to me on the evening of Oct. 3 in the Admiral Safeway parking lot. I tracked down video of one of the robbers using my cards. I recorded it and left a message for SPD Robbery division. I offered to provide that video. SPD HAS NOT CONTACTED ME! I sent them voice mails offering videos of the robber.CRICKETS.Heads up “defund SPD supporters! Because of you, we are all on our own!

MW November 6, 2023 (8:55 pm)

OMG What in the world????SOMEBODY is NOT DOING THEIR JOB or doesn’t have enough man-power to get to it in a timely manner…but something is telling me it’s the former reason. Ridiculous you are facing this. Keep communicating. Keep offering the evidence. Justice is due for you!!

Joan November 6, 2023 (7:02 am)

This seems to be a real crime corridor lately. Is it because they jump on Admiral and zoom down the bridge?

ConcernedInAdmiral November 6, 2023 (12:12 pm)

Joan, I think you’re onto something. Wouldn’t at all be surprised if this is the case.
Pelicans November 6, 2023 (1:56 pm)

Yes, they zoom down Admiral toward the bridge, at least. Two pieces of my ID were found tossed in the grass in the park across from Admiral Viewpoint after I was robbed in the Safeway parking lot in early October. Twenty minutes after that, the robbers went up Delridge using my cards at Shree’s gas station and a burger drive-in. Don’t know if they took the WS bridge from there, but they wound up down in Tukwila, at the south end of Boeing continuing to attempt to use the cards.

April November 6, 2023 (10:15 am)

Cross bags are only going to cause people to get hurt more. Please just put your stuff in a pocket. Your life is not worth it and these criminals will hurt you for what they want.

Sitting Duck November 6, 2023 (11:28 am)

I am tired of being just a Sitting Duck waiting until it happens to me. Whatever the theft, carjacking, reckless driving, shooting, violence, or other crime our community is so riddled with these days. We have an election tomorrow. So word to whichever candidates win:

Well-abiding citizens need to take back our community now.
There is no police superhero that’s going to prevent and protect us from any imminent crime/ crime in progress.
Despite calls in the comments for good neighbors to alter our behavior and bear the burden of safety, I’m calling on you, our (soon-to-be) elected officials.
We demand/ plea for action now. Provide every neighborhood with free self-defense training. And tools to protect ourselves.
Provide our streets with security personnel who will stop crime in its tracks. If we need superheroes, put them on the streets today.
Tell us how to organize neighborhood watches and give us space and technology for community meetings.
Pass emergency funding and legislation that emphasizes catching and holding these criminals as your first order of business.
Establish punishments and effective programs and work opportunities that actually reform juveniles. Hold parents and guardians accountable.
Stop the gang violence.
Work with schools and other youth-centered organizations to provide digital citizenship education so social media is not a driving factor for criminal behavior.

If you, candidates, are not extremely serious about doing something immediately about crime in our community, if you’re just dropping Johnny-come-lately talking points about crime to get elected, if you do not have the stomach to take immediate action on Day 1, then for the sake of public safety drop out of your race and let someone who will take the position. You can win the next election when things are simpler.

Westsiderez November 6, 2023 (11:40 am)

Cargo pants are a great option to carrying a purse! They have plenty of pockets and they zip closed. They are comfortable and fabulous. Amazon has plenty of them that could be sent right to your door. Even big pockets for your cell phone and it zips as well. Lightweight and practical.

RT November 6, 2023 (12:20 pm)

It might be time for some of us viewed as targets to carry an easily snatched decoy purse with an exploding dye pack (similar to those used in bank theft situations) that we can remotely trigger. But since that’s likely not an option, as others have suggested/reported, I now carry a credit card and cell phone concealed. Still often have a backpack or shopping bag since I like to walk to do errands..,but if they grab that they’ll just get groceries. ..possibly a library book or two. Trained on urban streets in my youth, I am now on high alert to my surroundings and individuals nearby. Schedule most stuff for the morning and early afternoon.

Alki guy November 6, 2023 (3:33 pm)

It’s no coincidence that all the stolen kia’s are a huge part of this crime wave in West Seattle.

Sandy November 8, 2023 (7:19 pm)

Maybe we should start suing the legislators that came up with these new laws that go soft on criminals. Maybe they would start representing us. Maybe the courts would start handing down more lengthy sentences. Maybe we need to have some of the more stern and rigid sentences. Commit the crime…do the time. Just sayin’

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