READER REPORT: ‘More sophisticated than the average package theft’

Sent by Riley on Genesee Hill:

I wanted to share this incident with the wider community as I just finished filing a police report and thought someone else might have some intel or have had a similar experience.

Yesterday we had a Murphy bed delivered to our house, and as it was massively heavy, on a large wooden pallet, and attached with metal cables; we were unable to move it in initially and were trying to get ahold of some bolt cutters. We were out of the house this morning for a few hours, and realized upon our return that the whole pallet was missing and there were marks leading across the yard and up the driveway where it had been dragged. After reaching out to our neighbors, several responded saying they saw someone loading it into an unmarked sprinter van. Amazingly, one of someone even caught them on camera. They had on reflective vests, had a dolly with them, and were carrying paperwork in an attempt to look legitimate.

We live at the bottom of a steep driveway and our house is quite tucked in, so we think this may have been a bit more sophisticated than the average package theft.

We’ll add the SPD report # when we get it.

IDC9 October 22, 2025 (2:10 am)

This does sound like it was quite a sophistacated theft. I hope the bed is able to be recovered, and that SPD is able to catch those responsible as soon as possible before they can strike again.

Juanita October 22, 2025 (7:11 am)

Just a heads up – about 2 months ago I was in Westwood QFC when someone stole a pallet jack from the loading dock. Amazingly, he got away, I recently confirmed this with one of the store managers. Initially I was confused as to why someone would steal a pallet jack, thought perhaps they were going to sell it for the metal. Not saying that is what was used in this theft, but just to say please be aware that as we move into high delivery season, the extreme weight of a delivery may no longer prevent it from being stolen.

IDC9 October 22, 2025 (11:52 am)

Everyone will have to double down on their strategies to prevent package and delivery thefts. These thieves are becoming more brazen all the time. It is maddening.

Seattlite October 22, 2025 (7:30 am)

Organized thieves were watching the delivery of the bed to your house. There are no boundaries for organized thieves who are determined to steal the property of others because that is how they make their living. Hopefully, your property will be recovered and the thieves are caught, arrested, charged.

Sillygoose October 22, 2025 (7:50 am)

So frustrated at tge blantant crime in our community. Delivery Driver connection to thieves? Did you contact the delivery company?

WSB October 22, 2025 (10:10 am)

Yes, I already asked Riley that. They’ve checked back with the original delivery company and “everyone else they could think of.”
Riley October 22, 2025 (10:55 am)

Yeah, we reached out to FedEx right away as well as other delivery companies who could have picked it up in error. Unfortunately that was a dead end.

ACG October 22, 2025 (9:26 am)

I’m so sorry to hear this. How terrible. Sounds like quite an expensive item to have to replace.

Riley October 22, 2025 (10:58 am)

Indeed. Joke is on them, though, since it turns out some of the crucial parts of the Murphy bed hadn’t been delivered yet. Will probably be hard to sell!
- Karie Schneider October 23, 2025 (3:02 pm)
  
  Thieves steal incomplete items and part them out

BDR October 22, 2025 (9:50 am)

Sounds like someone might have known about your purchase since they were prepared to move such a heavy package. Not your typical grab a package off the front porch theft.

Lutron October 22, 2025 (11:20 am)

Two suggestions for the long driveway (we have a long driveway in the woods):

(1) put up a removable chain that spans the width of your driveway. Yes, we have to “open” it up to get the cars in but it’s also a deterrent, no one can just drive in freely (it’s better than leaving your entrance wide open).

(2) We have several Arlo cameras on a very large, 16,000 sqft lot … nothing gets up the driveway or close to the house without our phones ringing & lights coming on in the house … automating your house is very easy these days with the right equipment (check out the Lutron devices that replace light switches & add automation via your phone or Arlo cameras).

Jethro Marx October 22, 2025 (4:08 pm)

Sounds like you have many fears and I hope they resolve. However, your advice to place a chain or any kind of strong but hard to see barrier across a road, path, or really anywhere is dangerous. I am sure you will have known to place something high-visibility, reflective, and/or otherwise obvious on your chain to prevent someone from running into it inadvertently but some may read your advice but not remember to do this. A kid on a bike, sled, or scooter may not be trying to steal your furniture but only intruding on your driveway a bit while playing and be killed or gravely injured by a chain or cable like this. I’m not making up a danger here, it’s a real fear of every snow machine or dirt bike rider. Also I think a local kid on a scooter died this way recently. I’m guessing the Murphy bed is easily replaceable.
IDC9 October 24, 2025 (2:21 pm)

The only problem with placing a chain across your driveway is that it may prevent ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars from being able to quickly access your property in the event of a life threatening emergency. If there is someone who can quickly go out and open it up before they arrive, then thats great. If not, it could be a problem.
- Jethro Marx November 10, 2025 (5:49 pm)
  
  No, this is not the only problem, there is a certain and ever-present problem with doing this, affecting one’s neighbors rather than themselves. I’ll assume you are not someone who wishes to endanger random people for fun, meaning you must either not be real or have not bothered to read comments directly adjacent to your post. Weird to see this, either way.

KTGHill October 22, 2025 (9:50 pm)

Wow, this is indeed pretty brazen in daylight! Riley— I see this was Genesse Hill, mind sharing nearby cross streets? We are in G Hill as well and have had more then one break in on our alley.

Sorry, comment time is over.