WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another crash-and-grab at Canna West Culture Shop; work-truck break-in

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

CRASH-AND-GRAB BURGLARS HIT CANNA WEST AGAIN: Driving in the 5400 block of California SW this morning, we saw that damage to Canna West Culture Shop. It happened just before 3 am, according to archived dispatch audio – three people crashed a vehicle into the storefront and ran off southbound. The people we talked with say it appears nothing was taken; it should be noted, this is NOT where Canna sells cannabis – that’s Canna West Seattle (WSB sponsor) across the street; this shop specializes (as its sign says) in CBD products. Archived audio indicates the burglars left a gray Kia Optima behind, still running; it had not (yet) been reported stolen but they were going to check with the registered owner at a North Seattle address. The burglars seen leaving the scene were described only as “three unknown-race males, thin.” The same building houses the studio of Filigree and Shadow fragrances (WSB sponsor), which proprietor James tells us was not damaged. The previous crash-and-grab hit at Canna West was in September.

One reader report this morning:

WORK TRUCK BREAK-IN: From Amanda: “I wanted to let you know that there was a truck broken into at the Wells Fargo parking lot in The Junction last night. My friend parked his Republic Services work truck there last night around 6 pm. The robber smashed the window and stole lots of rain gear, hoodies, and boots. Mostly all with either a US Ecology logo or Republic Services logo. If the community could keep an eye out, it would be appreciated!”

Derek December 3, 2023 (1:17 pm)

This is awful. I shop here regularly. Feel bad for the owners.

Mellow Kitty December 3, 2023 (2:57 pm)

I feel sorry for the workers who lost their job.
- Derp December 3, 2023 (5:41 pm)
  
  Who lost their job, i don’t see it noted in the article.
  - AD December 3, 2023 (7:10 pm)
    
    Wondering the same. The employees can move to cleanup rather than retail duties, which insurance will cover as part of the claim for damage and restoration, so it is unusual that vandalism alone will cost someone their job (if it doesn’t close the business permanently).
  - Mellow Kitty December 3, 2023 (8:55 pm)
    
    The shop has been closed since September. Now it’s going to take even long to reopen IF it does. The guys who work there aren’t getting paid while the place is closed. No paycheck because of a indefinite closure says lost job to me.
    - AD December 3, 2023 (9:14 pm)
      
      If the guys were laid off in September, they are eligible for unemployment, have already been on unemployment for 2 months prior to this, and have 4 months’ worth of benefits left. You can’t lose a paycheck you’re not getting because the store was already closed, and this alone is not going to keep the shop closed for four months.

Shadowtripper December 3, 2023 (4:11 pm)

Has anyone noticed a trend over the last 6-8 years? It shouldn’t go unnoticed that there are multiple shootings, smash and grabs and cars stolen without any news of prosecutions? Maybe we should go back to prosecuting these crimes and allow law enforcement to take these repeat offenders off the streets. Personally I think we’ve given this new City order enough time and it’s failing given the historic repeated crimes throughout the City. If you have been or know someone who has been assaulted, robbed or had their property taken or destroyed, you probably don’t hear them pushing for more relaxed law enforcement.

WSB December 3, 2023 (4:45 pm)

There is a lot more prosecuting going on than you hear about because frankly that information is a lot harder to get than “crime happened” information. For inexplicable reasons, arrest and case filing info is largely available on an “if you ask, we’ll tell you, but you have to know what you’re asking about” basis. Example: Two weeks ago, after a neighbor tip, we looked into a warrant arrest. SPD told us a juvenile robbery/carjacking suspect was arrested. Since the arrestee is a juvenile, they wouldn’t give me his name. Since I don’t have a name, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office couldn’t look up the suspect status. I got a warrant # from SPD; that didn’t help. I finally got one incident # out of SPD (not in WS); still waiting days later to see if the KCPAO could find info based on that, because there’s no public-facing way to search felony filings (and these were felonies) for info like incident numbers (but the KCPAO media liaisons can cross-reference in the non-public system). I’m still trying, and it’s my job so I’m not complaining, but it’s frustrating that arrests are made and followup info is difficult to procure. When I can give the KCPAO a name, btw, they’re usually pretty helpful, AND with a name I can search the court filings – even juveniles – myself. P.S. The KCPAO recently published some data on increased prosecutions of homicide and gun cases here. – TR
- Shadowtripper December 3, 2023 (6:50 pm)
  
  I am not criticizing you or your reporting. I was trying to make a point that only a small number of citizens are robbing, shooting and stealing from the rest of us. I don’t expect to see many stories of a judge sentencing some of these criminals to hard time. I will agree with you that there is a lot more prosecuting going on when you compare it to the last 6-8 years. We now have a City Prosecutor that is hard on crime but due to limitations enacted by the City Council over the last 6-8 years juveniles continue to be released without consequences due to the court judges release polices and laws that view teenagers needing multiple chances to better themselves. Our 911 reporting of crimes in progress has changed. If it is not considered a high end felony it is passed on to a system that states it will get back to you at another time. Many crimes in the City, I believe, go unreported since people accept nothing will come of it.
- Raincity December 3, 2023 (7:09 pm)
  
  I really appreciate all you do to keep us informed. I never realized how hard it is to find this information.

Confused December 3, 2023 (4:43 pm)

Can it be a “crash-and-grab” if nothing is grabbed?

WSB December 3, 2023 (4:47 pm)

I could have written “crash-and-grab-style,” I suppose. I also can’t tell you for sure they didn’t GRAB anything – perhaps they grabbed and let go.
- Heyalki December 4, 2023 (5:45 am)
  
  Personally, I like ram robbed better

Thomas December 3, 2023 (5:05 pm)

Stores like Thunder Road Guitars have metal grates that pull down when the shop is closed. I’m sure it’s not a guarantee but it’s a lot more secure than nothing and must be less expensive than rebuilding a storefront. Remember also that cannabis businesses aren’t legally allowed to have the kind of business insurance or bank loans that other businesses are, so this kind of repair is extremely painful financially.

Brian December 3, 2023 (6:54 pm)

That storefront is also way way more likely to have vehicles parked in front of it overnight due to the density of the surrounding apartment housing.