WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: New EV chargers’ cables hit before activation; another on-cam package theft

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:

(WSB photos)

CHARGER CABLES GONE BEFORE ACTIVATION: Earlier this month we told you about those new chargers that Seattle City Light was installing at the on-street EV-charging station by West Seattle Bowl. Then we got a reader tip that they appeared to have been hit by vandals/thieves before they had even been activated. We went by to photograph and verify on Thursday, and got confirmation from SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang today:

The newly installed public EV chargers at Alaska Junction were vandalized on January 26, 2026 while City Light waited for final activation of their systems to bring them online. It is unfortunate that this occurred prior to activation as the new chargers are equipped with security enhancements designed to deter theft including security alarms and cameras. City Light plans to repair and activate the chargers as quickly as possible. No timeline is available just yet.

These new chargers are meant to be an interim step toward a “full site replacement” at that location.

PACKAGES TAKEN: Another reader report about a thief on a local porch – this one lingering in camera view for a while. The victim reports:

I unfortunately fell victim to a package thief (Thursday) afternoon. I’m at the corner of 32nd and Trenton (near Chief Sealth HS/Westwood Village). I was able to capture them walking up my front walkway, hiding next to my front door where they didn’t think my Ring camera could see them, and then taking all of my packages. I’ve attached the video as the thief’s outfit is pretty recognizable. Hopefully they didn’t get anyone else!

bolo January 30, 2026 (1:32 pm)

The copper thieves follow the repair trucks around. As soon as they repair the streetlights (esp. along lower Spokane st.) the thieves are in there pulling the wires, stripping off the insulation leaving large mounds of insulation shreds at the north end of W. Marginal Way. Its got to be the scrap yard right there that is buying it. So convenient.

Eddie January 30, 2026 (4:03 pm)

It’s not fair to accuse the recycling business there of illegal behavior
- bill January 30, 2026 (9:46 pm)
  
  It’s not fair to reward theft of public property.
- mjc February 1, 2026 (1:21 am)
  
  It is an on going problem – the recycler continues to purchase stolen copper. It isn’t fair to those that have wire stolen nor is it fair to the neighborhood to have the stripped wiring casing discarded a half block from West Seattle Recycling.
bill January 30, 2026 (4:27 pm)

Actually the cul de sac at the end of SW Marginal Place, at the bottom of the Pigeon Pt stairs and next to the west end of the low bridge, just a short walk from West Seattle Recycling. Labeled “Recyclers Friendship Circle” on Google maps. Nicely secluded and the wire strippers can enjoy the aroma wafting from the grow op. If a cop took a snack break there randomly a few days a week I bet it would reduce business. Activity dropped last week when Sound Transit crews were drilling.

Alki resident January 30, 2026 (1:38 pm)

She appears to have a leg brace on the left leg. Her body purse will be easy to spot. I took screenshots of her, will recognize her pretty easily if I spot her.

Emily January 30, 2026 (4:26 pm)

Thank you! I filed a police report (T00050207) just in case she is a known quantity. I also actually just received a text from a kind neighbor letting me know that she found 3 of the empty packages near 30th and Cambridge (near Roxbury) so whoever it is, she is clearly making her way around the neighborhood!
- Alki resident January 30, 2026 (8:50 pm)
  
  Yep, she’s definitely sounding busy. I hope someone locates her soon. Good luck Emily.

dwg January 30, 2026 (1:46 pm)

On what planet does SCL or its contractors live, where this wasn’t a completely foreseeable event? Frankly, i’m angry that our tax dollars are being so negligibly spent, and you should be, too.

Westwood January 30, 2026 (8:26 pm)

Negligibly does not mean what you think it does. Perhaps invest in a dictionary.
- WestOfSeattle January 30, 2026 (10:29 pm)
  
  There is no need to be disrespectful. The poster made a valid point, it seems silly to install expensive equipment before the devices meant to protect it are active.

TB January 30, 2026 (2:00 pm)

What is the purpose of cutting the charging cables? Are they able to build their own chargers at home or are they just dudes who drive F350s and are protesting decreased pollution?

EVGuy January 30, 2026 (2:37 pm)

Neither, they’re ripping out the wires and selling the copper etc to scrap yards.
WS Person January 30, 2026 (3:18 pm)

They take the copper wire and sell it to recyclers
Anne January 30, 2026 (3:43 pm)

For the copper.
Bozo January 30, 2026 (7:32 pm)

There can’t be much copper in that wire. Seems like a lot work for little return.
- bill January 30, 2026 (9:44 pm)
  
  $4/lb right now prominently at the top of https://www.westseattlerecycling.com/
- IDC9 January 31, 2026 (1:15 am)
  
  Until copper prices come down, copper thefts are likely to remain high. I hope these recycling companies and scrap dealers are paying close attention to the copper that is being brought to them, and are only buying copper that hasn’t been stolen. I also hope that SPD will step up their patrols to catch copper thieves and bring them to justice for their crimes.

JMS January 30, 2026 (2:28 pm)

Sadly, that didn’t take long. Next stop scrap yard to fence the copper.

aRF January 30, 2026 (2:36 pm)

There is really no point installing these until the city and state get more serious about theft.

Admiral2009 January 30, 2026 (5:24 pm)

aRF – agreed. Scrap yards need to be required to verify the source and photocopy ID’s of people selling scrap metal. And people caught and convicted of theft need to spend time behind bars doing jail work and made to pay full restitution!

Odd son January 30, 2026 (6:40 pm)

They already have to show ID. At least I thought there were some changes made in the law to address copper theft. Doesn’t seem to be working though..
- IDC9 January 31, 2026 (1:17 am)
  
  Sounds like more changes to the law might be needed to crack down on the current rash of copper thefts. What those changes should be is a very good question.
- mjc February 1, 2026 (1:24 am)
  
  I’ve been at West Seattle Recycling before dropping off material and they don’t check IDs. It is a very sketchy operation.
  - Jamie February 5, 2026 (1:57 pm)
    
    They have checked my ID every time I recycle there. Even when I was going in very frequently and they knew who I was they still checked it. They also asked where I had obtained the materials I was recycling. And they follow the law as far as only giving out $30 in cash and the rest is given to you in a check. Doesn’t seem to shady to me. The man that owns this place is a honest man.

B January 31, 2026 (2:17 am)

Those EV stands are better used for delivery parking spaces (a sorely under-considered fact of housing growth in WS). I’m sick of 400 unit buildings going in w MAYBE one spot to park 3min and deliver food to them. It’s just asking for the double park mess that is, with all the ass hats coming in from outside WS to pickup/deliver, doing u-turns in the Junction and sh-t. 2000 units on Avalon….4 parking spots and no time to parallel park.

Sorry, comment time is over.