WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen car-top tent and crossbars; abandoned-possibly-stolen bikes

| Crime | Found bicycles | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

STOLEN CAR-TOP TENT AND CROSSBARS: The photo and report are from Karyn:

My Roofnest Sparrow tent and Thule Aero crossbars were stolen off of my car parked on 45th Ave SW at SW Alaska near the Junction, sometime between 10 pm on Tues. 11/28 and 12 pm Weds. 11/29. Please let me know if you see one near you or for sale somewhere – the tent had blue painters tape on some of the latches, a safety strap around the middle, and the rear grey buckle strap has been stitched together. Thank you for keeping an eye out! Please email kamckelvey@gmail.com with any information.

ABANDONED BIKES: Peter sent the photo:

He spotted these bicycles abandoned near the north side of Westwood Village. If you recognize either one, let us know.

WSDAD November 30, 2023 (7:12 am)

Sorry, your tent was stolen. This happened to me a year ago. Two men drove up around 1 am and stole my camper off my truck. They had a hard time getting it off of the vehicle. My neighbor woke up and called the police. The camper weighed about 250 pounds. They strapped it to the top of their vehicle and drove off. The cops showed up about an hour later and notified me. It sucked, and my kids were devastated. Months later, I found the camper for sale on OfferUp. I notified the police, but they didn’t do anything. Sadly, the thieves were able to sell the camper on the website. It sucks that OfferUp allows thieves to sell on their website. I wish I had the money to sue them.We’re looking to get a new camper now that is more secure. But It’s risky to have anything on your vehicle today. There is a high chance it will be stolen. Good luck finding it.

Jay December 1, 2023 (1:56 am)

My friends have run into this before. SPD won’t help you with this type of issue. Instead, set up the meeting in Tukwila and call the cops there. They will organize a sting. They do a really good job with it and are extremely professional. I actually did get an SPD assist with a stolen bike a couple years ago because they were nearby closing Akli and I was about to fight the thief. I think I had it covered, but it was complicated. SPD did verify my owner, but then they shook me down for $300 to buy the bike back from the “owner”. SPD should be a last resort and you’re not going to get a clean recovery, and no follow-up investigation will be done. Tukwila PD will investigate the seller.

Avid Camper November 30, 2023 (8:00 am)

I’m so sorry your tent was stolen :-( Truly. I’ve wanted to buy one for so long and what happened to you is the sole reason I haven’t. We have to worry enough about hit and runs and our own insurance going up, if god forbid you file a claim, but also things being stolen off of your vehicle. I hope it’s recovered so you can have your fun outdoor activities continue on.

Karyn November 30, 2023 (10:11 am)

Here is an additional image of what the tent looks like when closed on top of a car.

22blades December 1, 2023 (8:26 am)

Admiral: Look for a metallic blue (looks bkack at first) Prius w/ a plate BTD____ with 1 of 2 rear plate light burnt out. He’s been working the area every morning around 4am. Eyes met & he floored it out of there. He pulled in, then pulled right out a driveway. Called SPD. The response was “he hasn’t committed a crime.” We lost a convertible hardtop & window on Thanksgiving. Lost another window day before yesterday.

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