WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Thieves steal mail after breaking into USPS truck

| Crime | West Seattle news

TC reports seeing mail theft happen just before 4 pm today:

Two men smashed the window on the mail truck parked on my block and drove away with a tray of mail. The men were white but I couldn’t say how old they are or anything like that. Both wore face masks and hoodies pulled up. I got a picture of their SUV and submitted a police report online, and I talked with the postal worker and helped clean up the glass.

We’re at 47th and Andover. The mail carrier told me that there’s a shortage of mail trucks because so many are out of commission, waiting on window replacements.

ACG March 27, 2024 (9:11 pm)

Is there any more specific information (besides the location of the event) that might indicate which streets/households might be affected by this mail theft?

K March 30, 2024 (8:59 pm)

I can tell you I was affected and I live on 4th Ave SW.

Molly March 27, 2024 (9:28 pm)

Oh please don’t tell me this was Al’s route!!

1994 March 27, 2024 (9:32 pm)

Thanks to TC for being observant and reporting to the police! Everyone keep an eye out for those people amongst us up to no good. Stealing is not a survival strategy. The social safety net is there for those in need.

Odd son March 27, 2024 (11:22 pm)

Sad this keeps happening.

MD March 28, 2024 (8:32 am)

TC – Do you have a police report number? I have empty USPS mail trays in my alley yard waste bin (near 46th/47th and Andover). And my neighbor places that vehicle in the alley at same time yesterday.

JK March 28, 2024 (8:43 am)

Neighbor here. I just contacted USPS mail theft department and filed a report about seeing the same vehicle yesterday.
TC March 28, 2024 (10:02 am)

I just got a case number from SPD. @west seattle blog can you help connect me to MD?
- ML March 28, 2024 (9:53 pm)
  
  Can you share the case number? I think I know where this car is parked!
TC March 29, 2024 (8:09 am)

@MD It’s 2024-905019

CC March 28, 2024 (9:08 am)

That was the mail truck for a VERY nice mail lady in our neighborhood. Disappointed gutter punks keep pulling this crap in the area.

Just wondering March 28, 2024 (1:11 pm)

Agree! We are on 46th near Charleston and she is the nicest person.

Dog Whisperer March 28, 2024 (10:13 am)

USPS has trouble finding postal carriers, and the threat of robbery or physical harm certainly won’t help. Let’s all try to keep an eye out for our carriers and any deadbeats trying to hurt them or us.

Bee March 28, 2024 (11:19 am)

I saw a person that appeared to be casing a mailtruck on 60th/Admiral.Tall,white guy?long blonde wavy hair in nice beach style clothes:brown stripy sweater/khaki pants.Can’t say it was related, they seemed friendly bc our mail guy didn’t seemed alarmed on his route, but it definitely registered as off :(

burb March 28, 2024 (11:33 am)

This is the season. Just got a big tax refund check yesterday. Why IRS mailed it rather than auto-deposit I don’t know but I’m glad it made it into the mailbox and the bank.

Joan March 28, 2024 (11:42 am)

They’re going to need more secure USPS vehicles. This is no longer 1950.

Deb March 28, 2024 (4:42 pm)

My mail carrier says that when the thief is caught, their punishment should be to work at the postoffice sort/delivery job right now. Vehicle shortages are making a challenging job even harder. Imagine trying to do your delivery job without a vehicle, or having to complete with your co-workers for the vehicles that are drivable. This is so wrong….

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