WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Tacoma; (update) robbery/carjacking suspect arrested in warrant operation; mailbox prowler

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:

STOLEN TACOMA: Carina‘s pickup truck is the second vehicle we’ve heard of this week that was taken just a moment after it was left running:

Stolen 2019 Toyota Tacoma from 51st and Charlestown at 7:20 am today. Car was running to warm up before taking son to day care; thieves must have been hanging out because they took it within one minute. License plate is C09904R. Truck bed has black cover. Car will likely be dumped around West Seattle. Keys were not in car so not sure how long it’ll run without them. Please call or text 206-859-1170 if you see it.

Police incident # is 23-336019.

WARRANT OPERATION ARRESTS TEENAGE SUSPECT: Thanks to the reader who sent this photo from 12th SW just north of Roxbury:

They said SWAT assisted; the operation was wrapping up when we got there to check, and all they would tell us was that it was related to a warrant. We’re still following up and will add anything more we find out.

1:40 PM UPDATE: SPD tells us, “The warrant service in the 9400 block of 12 Ave SW resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old male juvenile who was the suspect in three armed carjackings and four armed robberies at gas stations. These crimes occurred in the South and Southwest Precinct communities in the city of Seattle.” We hope to find out more about this later.

MAILBOX PROWLER: This report is from Grant:

On Friday 11/17 at 4:00 pm, we chased off a skinny caucasian mail thief in a black hoodie driving a small dark gray or black car with a noisy muffler. The vehicle has a dark stripe on the bumper or rear/roof, and a taped-up / plastic-wrapped driver’s-side rear window. The person in this video damaged the neighbor’s locking mailbox by forcbly pulling it open and breaking the lock – so they know some mailbox locks can be easily defeated. We wanted to share this photo and video so other West Seattle residents could be alert if they see this vehicle in their neighborhood. Video (here). This occurred in the Morgan Junction / Pelly Place area.

Paul November 21, 2023 (12:01 pm)

While out running an errand I saw 2 huge SWAT trucks with officers and 4 black SUVs full of officers and thought, better check the blog to see what is going on. Poof here it is!

Rhonda November 21, 2023 (4:36 pm)

I hope the juvenile robbery and carjacking suspect is charged as an adult.

Ferns November 21, 2023 (8:00 pm)

Me too. If you go on a crime spree like an adult, you get tried like an adult. It’s apparent he can’t be responsibly raised in his current home situation. A 7-year old can tell you this behavior is wrong. The amount of damage he’s done to the community sense of safety and the cost to stop him is so high.
- Anonymous November 22, 2023 (9:02 am)
  
  Maybe before opening your moth and talking about a minor you don’t know you should think about how we all grow up under different circumstances maybe u grew up privliaged but there’s many out there that didn’t. Maybe thinking before speaking and posting on a blog would be a good idea u don’t know how u can affect others.
  - Genuine November 22, 2023 (9:59 am)
    
    That’s bull. Privilege or no Privilege doesn’t justify stealing people’s cars and committing armed robbery. It also doesn’t justify breaking into peoples business. There’s a million ways to make a buck, he chose a stupid way and needs to be treated like the straight up criminal he is. Facts!
  - tanders November 22, 2023 (10:28 am)
    
    This is a serious crime unlike truancy or shoplifting. We need to be safe from these predators whatever age they might be and whatever circumstance led them to commit violent crimes.
  - Rhonda November 22, 2023 (1:17 pm)
    
    Gee, Anonymous, you sound like you aren’t one of his unfortunate victims.
  - AlkiBiach November 24, 2023 (10:16 pm)
    
    Anonymous, compassion is admirable. Please educate yourself about the actual victims of serious crimes and the youth that commit them before you open your (moth?) mouth. Victims: https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/pubs/jvr/1.html
    Youth: https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/pubs/jvr/1.html
    Perhaps you can find some compassion for the actual victims. The victim and their families pay in lost wages, counseling, medical expenses and lifelong fear. Many people grew up in terrible circumstances. Portraying this Criminal as the “victim” because he is a minor shows a lack of empathy, apathy, or sympathy for the actual victim(s). He will probably get everything the actual victim needs to recover from his crimes, ie: “rehabilition” medical and mental health care, food, housing, job training and placement. Repeatedly, because it has become socially acceptable to excuse their crimes.
Ts November 22, 2023 (10:23 am)

How about no dropping the gun charge in a plea. If it does happen how about if he is ever found to have used a gun in a crime again the initial dropped charge is reinstated. I get that not everyone may have had the same upbringing and experiences but armed robbery is a violent and scary thing for the community and victims. I get brain development. I have also sat in a courtroom where youth were found previously found guilty in a supporting role in a deadly shooting on the ws bridge and a year later did the same thing at Ballard Highschool. When I read each incident this young man committed I had PTSD nightmares. I am so grateful that my daughters and their friends were never present, and were safe. RIP Missy, your light will never go out

DemandCurve November 22, 2023 (9:31 am)

Tacoma’s are not easy to steal at all. Like many cars the fob sends a code to the ignition and it’s never been cracked as far as I know. Even the dealership cannot bypass this and they have exclusive access to manufacturer’s specialty tools. Would be great if the owner had some input once the truck is recovered – If Toyotas are as vulnerable as Kias that would be a big problem and very newsworthy.

Lala November 22, 2023 (10:29 am)

Yikes, that truck will continue to run until they turn off the engine, it’ll just keep alerting that key isnt in the car. Some system have an automatic shut off after a certain number of distances but not most of them do.