West Seattle Crime Watch: Shoplifting-turned-robbery suspect arrested at Admiral Safeway; plus, 12-foot-long ‘shipment’ stolen

Two more West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:

SHOPLIFT TURNED ROBBERY: Thanks to the people who texted/tweeted to ask about a big police response plus a fire engine at Admiral Safeway a few hours ago. The police were all gone by the time we got there but we’ve since obtained some information from Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams. He says a loss-prevention officer tried to stop a shoplifting suspect who fought, punched, and kicked the officer, which turned it into a robbery. The suspect was arrested, with the help of citizens who held him down until police arrived and made the arrest. Lt. Williams says the loss-prevention officer’s injuries were minor.

12-FOOT-LONG, 100-POUND ‘SHIPMENT’ STOLEN: From the inbox, a reader report about a theft that would have been very noticeable if you happened to witness the stolen item being carried:

My partner and I had a shipment in front of our townhouse on 5950 California Ave. SW. … 12 feet long and 100 pounds.. This is of no commercial value to anyone else except that we tracked it all the way from Florida and it’s going to delay … two weeks on a very special birthday present. … I just don’t believe will be able to install this custom shade for friend that has some mobility issues so we made a shade that’s remote control from his smart phone. … We’re friends with everyone in the neighborhood and when (the thief/thieves) realize it’s of no value to them and that it’s not anything special other than a woven sheet of fabric for outside use – again it’s 12′ and would require two very conspicuous people between midnight and 5 AM walking around alleyways between Juneau and Raymond and Thriftway…

Seen it? Let police know.

8 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Shoplifting-turned-robbery suspect arrested at Admiral Safeway; plus, 12-foot-long 'shipment' stolen"

  • Joeb March 7, 2015 (11:37 pm)

    I’m glad shoppers stepped up and the shoplifter was caught. There’s something dysfunctional going on most times I am there and I shop there 3 or 4 times per week. If there is security there, current staff has their hands full, need to hire more.

  • sc March 8, 2015 (8:54 am)

    I’m thinking most retail stores would not want their staff to pursue a shoplifter into the parking lot. Who knows who might have been out there waiting for the thief?

  • allen March 8, 2015 (9:06 am)

    definately need more security and enforce conduct in eating areas.

  • McGruff March 8, 2015 (10:13 am)

    Hopefully this ‘collar’ will dissuade some of the riff-raff that hang out there. I see way too many sketchy characters there; just a few nights ago I popped in to make a late night purchase, and when I came out there was a man urinating in the parking lot! They need more security and more aggressive discouraging of loiterers, etc.

  • Lisa J March 8, 2015 (12:09 pm)

    More then once I’ve seen shoplifters,with a carry basket full of groceries, run through corner side door.

  • Alex March 8, 2015 (6:26 pm)

    It’s great that there is a place like this so near the Metropolitan Market where I shop. Safeway is like a magnet that draws all the undesirables from the whole area, making my shopping experience better.

  • Bradley March 8, 2015 (7:34 pm)

    Glad to see citizens stepping up to the plate to help take down the bad guys so retail loss prevention doesn’t have to go it alone. We all pay higher prices due to these thieves.

  • Rhoni March 11, 2015 (9:19 pm)

    I work in the grocery industry and we are in no way to stop, aprehened a shoplifter. Under companies policies we can be fired. We are not to stop them becaus bodily injuries can occur to innocent victims. The risk is high. Companies do not want lawsuits. So our tax paying dollars to inforced these laws have to come through more police presence

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