Two car-crime reports to share tonight. First one’s from Siobhan:

Last year on New Year’s Day morning, my little red Dodge Neon was stolen from its parking spot under my apartment building. Got it back on January 6th, which just happened to also be my birthday. THIS January 6th, I went downstairs to go to work to find my car missing its passenger-side window, a pile of glass on the ground, a brick on the drivers side floor and the hood of my car propped up with the the cables from my battery removed. They rummaged through my glove box and the middle console, but didn’t take anything. I never leave anything in my car.

This happened in the 35th Ave SW/Morgan St. area. I filed a police report. The officer said that they more than likely disconnected the battery to disable a car alarm and that the same thing had happened to a few other cars in the last few days just down the hill towards Fauntleroy/California. Just wanted to leave a heads-up to my neighbors.

And from Sam:

Hi, just wanted to let your blog know that last night I had two aftermarket offroad bumpers stolen. One was stolen off of my 4runner and one off my tacoma. Both vehicles were parked near Morgan junction. I’ve also had both catalytic convertors stolen from both of these vehicles in the last few months. Getting sick of it. Keep an eye out if you live in the area. Also if anyone sees two black tube bumpers for sale please contact the police.

It happened shortly after midnight last night, but the scanner was so busy, we heard no followup; tonight, police confirm that Papa John’s Pizza in West Seattle was indeed robbed again. Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says, “One male suspect entered, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The suspect was wearing all black clothing with a black beanie cap and a black mask.” He got cash and took off. No one was hurt; no injuries reported. The restaurant at 5252 California SW was also robbed three months ago (WSB coverage here).

Two notes tonight (and stay tuned for this week’s WSBeat around 11 pm, barring breaking news): First, this didn’t turn out to be a crime, but we’ve received a couple of after-the-fact questions about police action earlier today at Fire Station 11 (map) in Highland Park, so in case anyone else is also wondering – when we checked with SFD spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl to ask about a reader report of “police tape” up at the station, she explained: “The crew found a PVC pipe next to the fire station that looked suspicious. SPD checked it out and determined that it was filled with sand and was not criminal in intent.” Meantime, from Deb at 35th/Cambridge (map), another lesson sadly learned about not leaving ANYTHING in your car, ANYWHERE, ANY TIME – she says this happened between 3:30 and 4 pm Monday:

I left my convertible parked outside my garage … for less than 30 minutes. When I returned, someone had slashed the top to unlock the doors and rummage though my glove box. I had only left my car briefly as I had just replaced the wiper blades and was going to run some errands (we’re talking 15 minutes tops). I believe the garage door scared him off and the thief only made off with my iPod (thank heavens it was a really old one, can’t hold a charge, and locks up regularly…enjoy it, buddy) but he left my stereo and faceplate behind. When it dawned on me what had happened, I glanced out to the street to see someone standing there looking at me in a tan coat with a hood with a backpack, maybe 6 feet? May have been the guy, maybe not…best to be on the lookout and just a reminder that even 2 feet from my house, it’s not safe to leave anything in your car.

Just out of the WSB inbox from Jennifer, regarding a hit-run reported in The Junction:

We are looking for a burgundy VW van with black ski equipment on the roof – it just rear-ended my boss’s Toyota Camry at the corner of California and Erskine, just around 3:15pm today.

If anyone knows the license plate or saw what happened, we’d appreciate it if you could contact the Seattle PD…as you can imagine, my boss was a little shaken up and didn’t see the license plate number.

Much appreciated for any help!!

Crime takes no holiday. Well, there’s always hope for tomorrow. But tonight, we have two reports about one case of car vandalism – one from “k,” who drove by and noticed it; then came this direct report on behalf of the victim, from Martha:

My ex-husband, who is recovering from open heart surgery, had his new little Toyota vandalized two days after his return home from the hospital last week. The CD player was taken and glove compartment rummaged through. Last night the car was spray painted with black paint “this car is gay” along the entire passenger side. Two stripes of black and white left on the driver’s side rear panel. I just discovered this this afternoon when I was visiting. I have called the police and they are sending out an officer. This is particularly upsetting to our family at this time of year and with him in such frail health. Thanks to whoever did it for an extra kick in the teeth for Christmas!

This was one of two vandalized cars noticed by “k” in the south of Admiral area; she says it was near 45th/Spokane, while the other, near 48th/Hinds, also had black spray paint on it.

Just received from Rebecka, who wanted to get the word out fast:

My family just witnessed a man take off with a package from our neighbor’s porch.

My husband stepped out to confront him and he immediately took off. We are on the corner of 42nd and Brandon. The guy was heading south in the alley between 42nd and 41st. By the time he rounded the corner, the guy was out of sight. We called it in to the police, but they were not even interested in getting a description, said it was too late to do anything.

Apparently this has been going on quite a bit in our hood for the last week. The guy was in his mid to late thirties, dark hair and goatee, black leather jacket, jeans, dark shoes. He looked as if he hadn’t slept for days, SUPER SKETCHY.

Just thought people should be aware if they are expecting deliveries today. This took place at 8:40 this morning.

SPD Blotter reported this afternoon that police have arrested a man suspected in three pharmacy robberies, including one in West Seattle. The arrest happened today, with the help of citizens:

Since early October, a lone white male was believed to be responsible for three pharmacy robberies. The first two occurred at a chain pharmacy at locations in West Seattle and on Capitol Hill. The most recent occurred downtown on December 14th, in the 800 Block of 3rd Avenue. The suspect would usually imply a weapon and demand prescription drugs.

Today, December 21st, at approximately 11:40 AM, a white male armed with a knife attempted to rob a pharmacy located in the 900 Block of 4th Avenue. The suspect approached the pharmacist and demanded the drugs. Several employees and customers jumped on the suspect and held him until police arrived. He was immediately taken into custody. Robbery detectives responded and processed the scene. The 33 year old male was interviewed by detectives and admitted to the robberies. He was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Robbery. The Robbery detectives will continue with the followup investigation.

The only “chain pharmacy” robbery we’ve covered since early October is a holdup at Bartell Drugs in Jefferson Square on October 9th. We’ve got a message out to SPD to ask if that’s the one to which they say this suspect has confessed.

(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
Thanks go to Lynda and Nancy for alerting us to this sad sight: Two young trees destroyed in front of Madison Middle School (north of the main entrance path, as the top photo shows). When we heard about it, we wondered if it was related to our recent bouts of wind, but Christopher Boffoli went over for photos and reports it’s clear they were taken down by a hatchet or pick-axe. (Note the debris in the next photo.)

We have a message out to police to ask if this has been reported and whether any other vandalism’s been reported in the area; no reply yet, but we’ll add any more information we get. (If you’re wondering when it happened – sometime before midnight, which is when Lynda’s note came in.)

Two more West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon. First, longtime WSB’er JanS reports in the WSB Forums that her car’s been stolen. Details here.

Second, Todd at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) shares the latest warning about catalytic-converter theft:

A customer just called [early this afternoon] and informed me that his catalytic converter was stolen off his Toyota 4-Runner.

There was a rash of this a couple of years ago, and it may be starting again. The thieves use battery-operated saws and just cut the pipes, preferring Toyota 4WD vehicles because of ground clearance (no jacking needed) and a large market for the item.

A catalytic-converter theft was part of this WS Crime Watch report eight days ago

Out of the WSB inbox, from Eric:

This morning as I was leaving I spotted a guy prowling around a house (at the corner of 46th and Hemlock Way [map]).

I walked down and looked around the house but didn’t see him. I went back up and got in my car and drove down that way. I decided to take the hairpin turn onto 46th north of Rose to get a view of the back of the neighbor’s house. The frame of her electronic dog door was lying on the ground, which got me even more suspicious. Then as I pulled forward a bit farther I could see the guy hiding up against a wall of the other neighbor’s house. Called the cops. Three units showed up within five minutes. All this time I was thinking that the neighbor whose house was being prowled was out of town, but as it turns out she was there with her little boy. Her dog finally heard the guy trying to break in and she saw him as he went running down the street.

He was a Caucasian male, under 6 feet, thin, wearing a grey hoodie under a dark
jacket … spiky blonde hair sticking out from under the hoodie.

Keep your eyes peeled. And have a safe holiday, everybody.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon – first, from Dena:

Last night 12-12-2010 between the hours of 12 midnight and 7:00am 12-13-2010
Stolen in the 6900 block of California Ave SW
1996 champagne F250 Diesel w/ USCG vanity plate and with 20′ U-Haul trailer attached.
Any information can be e-mailed to me @ dena-engen@comcast.net

And from Jen:

We had some lighted candy canes along our walkway from the street and someone made off with them sometime between late last night and this afternoon. We don’t use the front entrance much, so cannot pinpoint the time any further. We live on 44th, just north of the Junction. I’ve read other accounts of people getting stuff taken from their yards around Halloween, so I know it happens, but it’s still lame.

We also have asked police for an update on the investigation of the car vandalism we reported Sunday; no word on that yet.

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A vandalism spree smashing out car windows is bad enough. For it to be done on an intensely rainy night, even worse. But to top this off – the vandal(s) struck cars in the parking area of a low-income senior-housing complex. Our photos show three of about half a dozen cars reported to have been vandalized behind Island View Apartments in the 3000 block of California, part of the city’s Senior Housing Program. We went over after getting a phone call; later, we received a note from Paul, who said they think rocks were used, as big ones found nearby are not the type usually found in the area. He added, “I am a caregiver for a tenant in this building and our car was not hit, but I tried my best to cover all the cars with plastic to keep the rain out.”

2 West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the WSB inbox. First, a truck stolen and stripped before its owner, LB, even knew it was gone:

Writing to report that my truck was stolen sometime after midnight last night from in front of my house near SW Andover and 40th Ave. SW.

Seattle PD knocked on my door at 4 a.m. to let me know it had been stolen and found stripped and abandoned on 30th Ave. SW directly behind Luna Park Cafe. Thieves tore out the ignition to start the truck and drove it to the location behind Luna Park Cafe where they proceeded to remove parts of the body, major parts of engine, including the hood and front grill. Also stolen from inside the truck were my laptop, CB, Radio, Tools, etc. Even the ashtray and lighter were taken.

Letting you folks know so you can get the word out the rainy weather is good cover for this sort of crime. Nobody in my house or neighborhood saw or heard anything. Apparently neither did the folks living in the houses 10 feet from where the truck was stripped and dumped.

And from Sam:

Yesterday, sometime between 10 am and 1 pm, someone sawed off my catalytic converter off my Toyota Tacoma. This is the second time now in less than 4 months. I couldn’t believe this happened in broad daylight while my truck was parked on 42nd Ave SW right at the junction of 42nd and Fauntleroy. This happened in the middle of the day and pretty much in the middle of Morgan Junction! So just a heads up for people who live in the area that own Tacomas and 4Runners. They seem to be the targeted vehicle due to ease of access. These cat thefts seem to go in waves too.

Received early this morning from Thomas:

A silver Mazda Tribute was broken into in my neighborhood … around 10:45 pm. Our neighbors called the police, who were there
investigating around 11:15 pm.

The break-in occurred in the small group of houses directly behind the Home Depot … about 2 blocks up the hill on Webster (near the police department)

P.S. Like other crime reports we receive – as well as incidents covered by a WSB crew – this one is also linked from the WSB West Seattle Crime Watch page, where you’ll find other resources, including the most recent addition to the page – the latest Seattle Police tweets with stolen-car information from around the city.