WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Seen this VW Golf? Car stolen while owner was fundraising for charity (UPDATE: Found)

| Crime | West Seattle news

SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Remember the food-bank-fundraising buskers we told you about earlier? We just found out that one musician’s car was stolen while they were performing:

Stolen VW Golf, 2005
Gray, WA plate 612-ZHK
(Pic shows roof just before it was repainted, roof now has new paint)

Parked at the paid lot on 44th, between Alaska and Edmunds
(paid and have the receipt!)
Parked at 10:50 am today, Saturday Dec. 23 to busk for the Food Bank
Returned to the lot at 1:15 pm and the car was gone.
It’s a manual transmission, so hopefully it didn’t go too far.

Police report filed.
If you see the car please call 9-1-1 and give report # 23-367922

SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Found … abandoned one lot away from where it was taken … with a candy cane and “Merry Christmas” note on the door.

WSDAD December 23, 2023 (5:33 pm)

People suck. I hope they get coal for Christmas and you get your car back

O December 23, 2023 (7:30 pm)

Thanks, we hope to get the car back, too!

newnative December 23, 2023 (5:49 pm)

This is infuriating, to pay for parking and there is apparently service provided.

O December 23, 2023 (7:33 pm)

Yup, paid to lose a car, aargh.

At least the food banks will benefit from the busking!

alkiannie December 23, 2023 (7:48 pm)

May you get your car back or may you have insurance that gets you the car you want. Really sorry this happened to you.

O December 23, 2023 (9:00 pm)

Insurance has been contacted, but getting the car back would be easier, faster, and cheaper (assuming that it hasn’t been trashed or wrecked). <br> Thanks, we are, too.
- CarDriver December 24, 2023 (6:07 am)
  
  Keep us and WSB updated. Hopefully you get it back. This is a warning to all the commenters that seem to think only Kia’s and Hyundai’s get stolen. Crooks DON’T discriminate! Sadly we’re all at risk.
  - O December 24, 2023 (10:52 am)
    
    Updates as soon as we have any. <br>Yeah, we are curious about their level of skills, too!

Christopher B. December 24, 2023 (8:07 am)

Manual transmission and they somehow defeated the standard engine immobilizer. Seems like they had a bit more proficiency than your garden-variety juvenile car thieves.

O December 24, 2023 (12:26 pm)

We are wondering about their skills, too!

Andee December 24, 2023 (11:50 am)

Any tips on preventing car theft? Seems like the best way is to have a garage, but I don’t have that option and park on the street. I thought with my manual transmission my car wasn’t at risk for being stolen, but apparently not.

O December 24, 2023 (12:24 pm)

It was in a paid lot at the Junction, but a garage at home would be nice = )
The King December 24, 2023 (6:27 pm)

It’s kind of a pain but pulling a fuel pump relay works. Generally can find locations for most newer cars online.
Jim December 25, 2023 (12:00 am)

Cyclops auto theft deterrent. As the other note says… Pull the fuel pump relay, or in my case the starter relay. But instead install Cyclops relay. Done. Add the new key fob to your key ring. Set it up in automatic mode, or like me I leave it manual mode. Manual mode means I press the button on my remote. And the relay is free to operate for 5 seconds. Start car normally. Automatic mode… Just get in the car and go but without that little fob, the car will not start. Best $150 I ever spent. They tried stealing my truck 4 times in one year before I got rid of it.

Lenore December 24, 2023 (11:53 am)

We are so sorry ! We know what it feels like to get your car taken away from you. I hope you can still have a Merry Christmas

O December 24, 2023 (12:27 pm)

Thank you, and sorry you know it. We are doing our best. Happy Everything to you, too!

Unknown December 24, 2023 (8:43 pm)

The car is parked at same place it’s in middle parking lot it has a ticket on it. Same plate number and same plate cover with a sticker on rear. Maybe you forgot

LyndaB December 24, 2023 (9:12 pm)

Well, that’s an interesting development!
- WSB December 24, 2023 (10:21 pm)
  
  Just heard from person who reported the car stolen. Abandoned one lot over from where it was stolen.
  - O December 24, 2023 (10:25 pm)
    
    Thank you, everybody! WSB and the readers are awesome = )

Sorry, comment time is over.