WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Budget Blinds van stolen, sample books strewn

| Crime | West Seattle news

From Angela at Budget Blinds-West Seattle (2403 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor):

This morning between 6-7 am one of our Budget Blinds vans was stolen. It was seen around 6:50am between Brandon and 46th Ave SW. A wonderful & helpful neighbor spotted the van and as it drove past her many sample books flew out and onto the street. They were picked up and stored for us to come pick up. We’ve collected 5 so far. Here are a couple photo for reference. If anyone happens to see any more books, or any info on the van, please message me?

License Plate D27632B
2006 Ford Econoline

Rachel March 29, 2024 (12:17 pm)

I think I just saw one of those on the sidewalk of Brandon and 44th next to the West Seattle Nursery.

Bradley March 29, 2024 (1:06 pm)

I read a piece in the LA Times about how car thieves are using a jammer to block key fob codes. It’s getting ridiculous how poor security is these days. Same goes for WiFi blockers for home security systems. Hint: don’t use WiFi at home, hardwired is safer.

bolo March 29, 2024 (10:14 pm)

So can we avoid keyfob spoofing by keeping them in a faraday box when at home? I remember seeing a DIY tutorial for making a simple one.
- Daniel March 30, 2024 (9:39 pm)
  
  Yes a faraday cage can block the signal your key fob sends. I’m not clear on the exact threat model in question here since Bradley said “jammer”, and a faraday cage isn’t exactly a solution to signal jamming (in fact it makes it easier to jam a signal that is weaker). However if the threat model is not “signal jamming” but rather signal amplification and/or repeating, then yes, a faraday cage would help. If the threat model in question is actually signal jamming though, then I don’t understand.
  - bolo March 31, 2024 (9:39 am)
    
    Must be the signal amplification and/or repeating method I was thinking of, where a drive-by can query the keyfob in the house to get it to respond, then amplify its response to the car, then they take the car. At least that’s how I imperfectly understand it.

Jake March 29, 2024 (1:25 pm)

I definitely saw a Budget Blinds van that looked like this at around 830 AM this morning. I can’t remember exactly where, it would have been somewhere on 35th near the bridge, or on the bridge itself.I only noticed because we are considering new blinds…

Alkiholic March 30, 2024 (9:09 am)

Kendra the owner of Budget Blinds was awesome! We used them last year for our Condo and went with the remote blinds for the living room. So happy with the end result, the installer had even caught that a wrong size had been sent for one set and we had to wait a little longer but it was worth it. Great neighborhood business can’t recommend enough! Sorry this happened to you guys!

Heidi March 30, 2024 (8:48 pm)

Completely agree! I am so sorry to see this happen to such an amazing local business. I am so thankful for their service @

Samuella Samaniego March 30, 2024 (9:49 am)

Hi Angela, I saw your van yesterday afternoon at 35th and Barton. I always think of Kendra and her husband whenever I see it. Hope u guys get it back unharmed. It’s been several years since we purchased shades but maybe (?) we’re still in your client system.

Monica March 30, 2024 (2:34 pm)

Just saw the truck driving around Alki right now.

Monica March 30, 2024 (2:46 pm)

I flagged down a police officer and told him but they never ended up following him. Followed for about a mile and no police officer. They were headed towards Luna Park area. Looked like a white or Hispanic male from what I could see in the side mirror.