West Seattle Crime Watch: Puppy stolen; garage break-ins

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports today – a puppy stolen in a burglary, and break-ins in a parking garage – read on for both reports:

First, the stolen puppy (which has also been posted on the WSB Pets page):

Sunday morning between 11-12am the home in West Seattle belonging to King County Council Candidate Diana Toledo was broken into. The front door was kicked in and several rooms ransacked, with the only visible thing taken being a 7 week-old puppy that Diana’s family had been fostering.

The puppy is a small, 7 weeks old, brown pit-bull who answers to the name “Jewel.” The family is very concerned with the puppy’s health as no dog food was taken from the home. The children are distraught and we are asking for any help you can give.

If you have any information please contact the Seattle Police Department Southwest Precinct at (206) 733-9800, or e-mail us at votetoledo@live.com or call our vm line at 206-312-2228. We will be checking our messages regularly in hopes of finding our puppy.

And from Johana:

Recent ” secure ” garage parking break in’s @ Avalon Park Vista apts in West Seattle on Avalon way. We have had SEVERAL break in’s into our upper and lower level parking garage. So far about 3-4 in the little over a year i have been here. First time they stole a motorcycle and broke into other cars. Second time they broke into our car, stole pretty much everything they could carry as well as breaking into another car. Third time they broke in and stole 2 bicycles one of which is worth about 2000.00. The cameras we have facing the garage door do not work … Someone else in the garage has a security camera on their belongings and we were able to capture footage of 2 tall black male’s one with dreadlocks. They also stole the garage door openers out of the cars so they were able to get back in. Finally our property manager changed the code to our garage but only to the lower level not the upper. We found items that were stolen out of our car in the neighborhood behind the Avalon Way/35th Ave 711. There is a suspect house in that neighborhood. The man that called us when finding our belongings on his front lawn also has security cameras on his property due to these suspect neighbors.

She says police reports have been filed, twice.

Diana Toledo November 6, 2011 (4:53 pm)

Thank you WestSeattleBlog for your assistance in helping us find the puppy.

I just want to clarify, the West Seattle house that was burglarized is owned by me and my husband so we are listed as victims on the SPD report, but the residence is occupied by my brother, his wife, and their four kids. The puppy was being fostered by my sister.

The house is down the road so we spend a lot of time there and could have easily been having breakfast with the family. Thankfully everyone was out of the house for Sunday morning service when the break-in occurred, but we are still distraught over the break-in and the missing puppy.

It is a small 7-week old friendly pit bull puppy, brown with a white nose.

Thank you for your help.

Diana Toledo

LivesinWS November 6, 2011 (5:50 pm)

Stealing a puppy? That’s really low.

WS Mom November 6, 2011 (8:17 pm)

I often walk my dogs and go to the local dog parks. I will keep my eyes open for your pup. I, agree Diana, very very low!

Jim P. November 6, 2011 (8:34 pm)

While I have no use for the politician (her “campaign” has robo-called my phone against my express wishes) only a real piece of crud steals a puppy.

I sincerely hope the puppy is found unharmed (and the thief is found rather badly harmed.)

Please keep us informed of any progress. Is there a picture perhaps? Might help if people can keep an eye out in case someone tries to sell the puppy.

I imagine it has been micro-chipped, has it not?

Diana Toledo November 6, 2011 (10:25 pm)

Thank you again WS Blog,

@WS Mom, thank you, please do. Jewel is brown with a white snout. Only 7 weeks old so still small (about the size of a junior football).

@Jim, I apologize for any calls you may have received from the campaign. We have never used a robo-call service, but I apologize if you received multiple calls from volunteers.

Jewel was not micro chipped, so unfortunately we will have to rely on a change of heart from the person that took her, a positive print match from the SPD, or luck. There has been a lot of attention so our hopes are high that she will be found.

Thank you so much,

Diana

LincolnPark November 6, 2011 (10:40 pm)

I’m a dog owner and dog lover. Agree that anybody who steals a pet is a real piece of crud.
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But something about this report strikes me as odd. I can’t remember too many WSB crime reports that specifically mention the name of the non-resident owner of the home that was burglarized. Nor, for that matter, their occupation – or in this case, the political office for which she is running. The author of this report clearly felt that was important information to convey since it is in the first sentence of the report.
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I might not have thought twice about it until I saw the comment that Ms. Toledo doesn’t live in the home. Instead it is occupied by her brother. I’m assuming that’s the same brother who was involved in another recent Toledo story on WSB:
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https://westseattleblog.com/2011/09/34th-district-democrats-investigation-requested-endorsements-made
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And isn’t election day Tuesday? I can’t think of a better way to get free, empathetic name recognition two days before the election.
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No – I’m not a ‘plant’ from the other campaign. If someone wants to accuse me of that, then WSB can contact me directly to confirm.
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But I am suspicious…

george November 6, 2011 (11:46 pm)

Quite a few cars were broken into on 37th between Findley and Hudson Saturday night also.

hello November 7, 2011 (12:00 am)

The last quote basically describes all the faults in that apartments garage security…. Nice

Westside J. November 7, 2011 (12:50 am)

Hopefully someone has contacted the local vets, also keep an eye on craigslist for the pup.. Hopefully she’s home asap! My eyes are peeled in arbor heights.

KD November 7, 2011 (5:35 am)

Unfortunately, scum that steals a pit bull will sell to an associate or use for
themselves. Not the type to take to a dog park. That would be someone who cares for the welfare of a ‘family member.’ They don’t see the dogs with feelings or valid meanings, they are “just a dog” as i’ve heard many times on rescues. They usually don’t see the light of day once they start using them. The best we can be on the lookout for is these guys like to run around ‘showing off’ their property to their buddies. Rarely do you see the pups on a leash or halter, usually they carry them in their arms. (unsafe) Be on the lookout for that scenario also. I’m going to think positve & hope I’m wrong and also hope that the police and the watchful neighbor of suspect house can get to puppy before moved around. I’m not trying be mean, I just want folks to be on the lookout for the other reality. The more prayers & positive thoughts & wishes we surround that baby pup with will help. ((/ \)) ~ (angel wings)

Sunshine November 7, 2011 (6:31 am)

The puppy was stolen from our home- we were fostering it so I have to get permisson before I can post pictures (I will be working on that today) My 6 year old son is very upset and is now afraid to walk through out his house for fear these people may come back. They clearly wanted the puppy for the left everything of value just sitting in the open. She had on a red colar, brown brindle with a white nose and chest. I have left a crate at the end of the driveway with blankets in it – just incase this person grows a heart and returns her.

kate November 7, 2011 (6:45 am)

So sorry for you family’s loss. I know how a break in feels. Do you have any photos of the dog that you might be able to post? I’m pretty sure that people who steal puppies will burn in hell. RETURN THE DOG YOU BIG FAT JERKS!

KD November 7, 2011 (8:57 am)

Right on Kate.., you go girl!!!!!!!

Dale November 7, 2011 (9:50 am)

I agree with Kate hope they burn in hell.

AO November 7, 2011 (10:05 am)

Hello, we are your neighbors and we saw the 7 cop cars yesterday and we were concerned for your family. We were home during these hours. I can’t believe we didn’t hear or see anything.

Sunshine November 7, 2011 (10:37 am)

AO- thank you for your concern. We were not home and are safe. Just missing a puppy :(

Husky4me November 7, 2011 (11:03 am)

Kicking a door-in seems like a shock-and-awe tactic. Maybe a home invasion attempt? Last month the West Seattle blog reported another home invasion in West Seattle. Let’s hope this is not something that is becoming common out here. If they were trying to be quiet you would think they would have entered through a window or garage. Very frightening, thank God the family is safe.

Bob November 7, 2011 (6:30 pm)

MAYBE now, something will be done about the rampant crime in West Seattle. My car was broken into for the second time in a month on Saturday

Jenny at Mail Boss November 8, 2011 (3:37 pm)

What a sad story. Unfortunately any thugs who steal a puppy don’t have good intentions. Bait dog may be in this pups poor future. I hope the WSB community can help return this pup to the loving foster family.

Ripper November 8, 2011 (4:36 pm)

What a lowlife who would steal a poor baby puppy. Makes me mad.

Resident3 November 9, 2011 (12:57 pm)

Why do you some of you feel the need to spell out worse case scenario? That is not very supportive to the person asking for help. I’m sure the people who are missing the puppy can imagine the danger on their own. Keeping a look out!

Jim P. November 10, 2011 (1:10 pm)

“Kicking a door-in seems like a shock-and-awe tactic”

Burglars are not known for subtlety. It is often the fastest method in and does not require the carrying of tools that would lead a cop to haul them in if found with them.

Long ago, I ran a car wash and one night, the door to the office (steel-reinfoced) had a ventilation grille kicked in despite being backed by well-bolted bars. It probably took some time and made a good deal of noise but it was effective nonetheless.

People under the influence of drugs are willing to do rather a lot to keep themselves supplied.

Many home doors can be opened with a well-placed kick since even if the deadbolt is first rate, the door jamb may be pine or other soft wood and the strike screws less than half an inch long and often not even seated into solid wood.

Leverage often works too, stick a tire iron or even a long length of flat steel stock into the door frame and lean into it, the wood will splinter or the frame will bulge enough to slip the lock.

Picking locks is for movies. (grin) They want in fast and out even faster.

Sarge November 17, 2011 (4:14 pm)

Go ahead and kick my front door in you spineless cowards.
I’ll take your head clean off your shoulders with my bare hands and use it as a spitoon.
What kind of chicken hearted thief steals a dog anyway? whats a pitbull pup worth in the hood, $10??? you gonna fight it at 10 weeks? Idiots.
I’m sure they have no idea how to take care of a young dog. 7 weeks is too young to survive for long without special care and feeding.
Please break into my home next. I’ll be waiting for you.

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