Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:

STOLEN DUMP TRUCK: Just received the photo and report from Serene:

My husband’s dump truck was stolen by Highland Park Elementary School about an hour ago. It is a ’95 Isuzu NPR. Please keep an eye out!

We’ll add the plate and incident # when we get them. (Update: Incident # 22-142578. … Plate # C52539V.) ANOTHER UPDATE: Found by a reader (see comment)!

FROM THE DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN FILE: The photos and report are from Michael:

A few nights ago, I found a MiniMeis child shoulder carrier and tire chains on the corner of the SW Edmunds St, between the Huxley and the alley. That same night, about two blocks to the west, I found a large pile of clothing (including various shoes) and a damaged Canon Pro-100 photo printer.

If these belong to anybody, I’d certainly like to get them to their proper owner. However, if no one claims them, then I’d like to keep the child carrier, attempt to repair the printer, and donate the clothing or recycle it through Ridwell.

If any of this might be yours, please email us and we’ll connect you with Michael.

The report and photo are from Jennifer:

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD stolen from 48th Ave SW between Juneau and Findlay some time between 10 pm and 5 am. Plate # C71140D. Truck also had tools. Police report # 22-141476. Please phone it in if sighted.

UPDATE: Jennifer says they’ve gotten word that law-enforcement officers have found the Silverado “near the airport.”

In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

BUSINESS VANDALISM: The photo and report are from Patrick:

Late Wednesday night 6/1 or early Thursday morning, someone threw a rock or brick at the front window of the Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy (5432 California SW). The outer pane shattered but not the inner pane. Police report filed.

CHARGES FILED: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged suspects in three West Seattle burglaries that happened within the past week:

-Last Sunday (May 29th), 8800 block of 20th SW: 26-year-old Christopher R. Rodriguez is charged with residential burglary after police said they caught him in the same vacant house for the second time in three days. The first time, nothing was taken so he was cited for trespassing and released; this time he was booked into jail.

-Also on Sunday, 6700 block of West Marginal Way SW: 29-year-old Kaylan E. Ramos is charged with second-degree burglary after Port of Seattle Police arrested him in the Alaska Marine Lines yard, allegedly stealing items including a reflective vest.

-On Monday, 2700 block of 36th SW: 49-year-old Zachariah K. Hampton is charged with residential burglary for allegedly breaking into a garage and trying to steal a bicycle valued at $5,000.

All three of the aforementioned defendants have criminal records; all three remain in jail, Rodriguez with bail set at $15,000, Hampton and Ramos each with bail set at $5,000.

One reader report tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch: It’s not surprising to hear about a case of gas siphoning, given the current prices. The victim, who wants to remain anonymous, says this happened between 10:30 and 10:50 am today “in the alley of the 3200 block, between Hanford and Hinds & 44th Ave SW and California Ave SW. … A man came onto our property and siphoned gas out of our truck.” They saw him as he left in an older gold Chevy Silverado, license plate starting with C539. The siphoner was described as white, “maybe in his 40’s or 50’s, short mustache, maybe short beard, dirty black hat with white writing/pic on front, wearing a light blue shirt or jacket, with a darker blue collar sticking out.” The victim said they were primarily contacting us so that others are aware this can happen.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning:

CHELAN CAFE ATM THEFT: Thanks for the tips. Shown in our photo above is the bar door at the Chelan Café, damaged when burglar(s) broke in early today and stole the ATM. We just went over to the Chelan to confirm the break-in. They believe it happened less than half an hour after the last employee locked up for the night and left around 3:45 am. If you have any information, the case number is 22-139316.

CAR PROWLS: From Eric:

This morning at 6:15, I found that my car (47th and Andover) had been prowled. All the glovebox contents were sitting in the passenger seat, driver’s side door was ajar. Guess I left it unlocked last night.

When taking my kid to the ferry, I saw some paperwork strewn about on 47th and Dawson. I picked it up. Was a car registration for someone else on 47th (5400 block). I placed the paperwork under their windshield wiper and could see that their glovebox contents were also out.

DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BICYCLE: Recognize this bike? The photo and report are from Ken:

This bike was abandoned in our yard (37th SW and SW Charlestown area) 3 days ago. I’m assuming it was “borrowed” and then left because of a loose seat and rubbing tire. It’s not a great bike but possibly “the best bike I ever had” to the owner. For identification purposes, it is a Huffy brand, Summit model. There is no visible serial number.

If it’s yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.

Two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch today:

VAN-THEFT SUSPECT CHARGED: Last week, we published Stefan‘s report about a stolen work van, and updated it with news that it had been found. What we didn’t know at the time was that police arrested a suspect when they found the van. And today, we have word that the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed a felony charge, possession of a stolen vehicle, against the 27-year-old suspect, Lee D. Watkins, who was already awaiting trial in three other auto-theft-related cases. According to the charging documents, officers found the van in the parking lot of the West Seattle Health Club at 10:45 pm last Tuesday, just under 17 hours after it was stolen in The Junction. As officers approached the van, the documents say they “observed a male get out of the driver seat of the vehicle. (Police) immediately recognized the male as Lee Watkins from previous contacts. (Police are) familiar with Watkins and know him as a prolific auto thief who has been arrested multiple times by SPD and KCSO.” Watkins, the documents say, claimed he had been loaned the van by an acquaintance who just “showed up at his apartment” with it and told him to drop it off at the health-club lot. Asked how he had started it, Watkins showed officers a screwdriver. They found it inside the van, and found “over 20 shaved keys” in his backpack. The van’s catalytic converter had been stolen, as discovered when the owner came to pick it up. Watkins was arrested and booked into jail, where he remains, with bail set at $10,000 – though prosecutors had requested $25,000.

GUNFIRE-RELATED ARREST: An arrest made by police Monday is linked to one of the three West Seattle gunfire incidents they confirmed last weekend. Around 9 am Monday, officers noticed a car at 18th/Barton believed to have been involved in the 9th SW gunfire incident early Sunday. According to archived police-radio audio, people were asleep in the car; they woke them up and ordered them out. According to a police-report summary, they claimed “they were shot at (Sunday) during the shooting.” The person “in possession of the vehicle” was a convicted felon, and police found ammunition in the car, so he was arrested for a firearms-law violation.

Yet another stolen vehicle to watch for. David sent the report and photo:

1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ. Stolen from West Seattle last night on the corner of 24th Ave. SW and Holden. Plate: BPM8757.

Just received from Taylor:

House was broken into on the lower half of Fairmount Ave SW between Friday and noon today.

Stolen items:
2021 white Porsche Cayenne S

Heirloom and new jewelry.
Chloe small clutch purse, a few other purses and belts of value
Black bike (don’t remember the model number).

This bike was left next to the shed, likely abandoned after taking my bike:

No police report # yet but we’ll add it as soon as it’s available. (Update: It’s 22-135939.)

Be on the lookout for Tim’s stolen car:

My 2021 maroon Toyota RAV4 was stolen from my house in the 3000 block of 62nd Ave SW, Alki area, last night, 5/27/22. WA license CAX-6565. Last seen parked in the alley at about 11:30 last night. I went to take the trash out today around noon and found that it was missing. SPD report # 22-134944.

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

MIDDAY GUNFIRE: A preliminary police summary confirms gunfire at midday today. It was called in from the vicinity of 28th/Myrtle just after 11:30 am. Here’s what police wrote:

It appears two SUVs were chasing each other for an unknown reason. A passenger in a white SUV fired rounds at the blue SUV. At least one round missed the blue SUV and struck a residence. No one was struck by the errant rounds. Evidence of a shooting was located at the scene. A short while after, a white SUV was located in the 6300 block of 34 AV SW (unoccupied). It was a Federal Way stolen vehicle. It appears to be the suspect vehicle in the shooting. It was recovered and impounded to the processing room. Patrol processed the scene. … No suspects were located. The other vehicle was not located.

STOLEN TRUCK: Via text, another report of a stolen pickup truck to watch for:

License B99083L. Incident #22-131227. Stolen from SW Dakota and 45th (on Monday). 1997 Ford Ranger.

11:46 PM: Be on the lookout for Stefan‘s stolen business van:

My van got stolen – (4400 block of) 40th SW. I’m a contractor; it happened on 05/24/22 at 5:30 am. It’s a white Chevy 2005 2500 white van with About The Grout Tile on the side of it. License # CAS9883. Case # 22-130587.

Stefan did find some of his stolen tools in a pickup. But the van is still missing – if you’ve seen it, he is at 312-810-3750.

1:15 AM UPDATE: Stefan says his van’s been found but many tools are still missing. We asked for descriptions:

Milwaukee saw
2 sawzalls
12 batteries
Router
Multy tool
Nut buster
2 impact wrenches
Drill
Blower
Chainsaw
360 laser
3 Packout boxes
2ladders gourila
3 Makita saws and batteries
Sander cordless
Jigsaw cordless
6 air guns
Roll air compressor green
And a lot of other things

Information on both of these incidents early this morning is from Seattle Police preliminary summaries:

SHOOTING: Someone got shot east of The Junction but police didn’t hear about it until after the victim showed up at a Burien hospital, according to this summary:

(At 2:30 am today), a suspect was heckling females at the Corner Pocket Billiards located at 4300 SW Alaska St. A male intervened and a disturbance ensued. The intervening male victim left the establishment and went to the parking lot at an apartment building located in the area of 38 Ave SW/SW Oregon St. The victim saw a black Escalade circle the block a couple of times. A short time later, the victim heard a gunshot, and he was struck in the left shoulder. The victim was transported to St Anne in Burien, and SPD was notified about the incident by King County. Officers didn’t locate a crime scene.

If you have any information, the incident # is 22-130528.

ROBBERY: The victim in this also told police that a bar dispute might have factored into it. The summary:

(At 2:52 am today), officers responded to the 4000 block of 26th Avenue SW to a report of a strong-armed robbery of a purse. Victim was outside her residence when a suspect got out of a waiting car and grabbed victim’s purse. The pair struggled over the purse, with the victim falling to the ground. Suspect got back in the car with the purse and left the area. Victim managed to keep almost the entire contents of her purse. Suspect dropped his cell phone. A witness/friend of the victim told officers that the incident may have been a follow-up to an altercation at a bar earlier in the evening.

The bar in that summary was not identified. The SPD incident # is 22-130520.

Three reports in this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:

ANOTHER BLUE PICKUP TRUCK STOLEN: The photo and report are from Sara:

Our 2004 blue Chevy Silverado was stolen, May 12th, midnight-1 AM in front of our house, (5000 block of) 25th Ave SW. Plate #B31166W. Police report #22-119715.

STOLEN MAILBOX: From Mike:

Discovered that my US mailbox was stolen sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning. The black, locked box was stolen from a stand of several boxes just off Admiral Way SW on SW Hanford St. No other boxes were stolen. If anyone spots it, please let me know. Box is marked “3033” on front door.

EMPTY-HANDED CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THIEF: The report and photo are from Karen:

So, this happened last week. I figured when I turned on my 2003 Honda CR-V and got a horrible sound that I’d been cat-burgled.

Not knowing for sure, I took it to mechanic shop. Hearing me drive up, nice Ray told me, yep, they got you. He got under the car to take a picture and his reaction seemed surprised. One side was severed but the other only halfway with a saw blade stuck in it.

The good news: they didn’t make any money on me.

The bad news: it’ll still cost me $1897 to fix and it’s debatable if it is worth it being so old, not insured, and could happen again.

Just thought I’d share their costly fail for both of us. I feel a tiny bit of “win” under the circumstances.

The theft attempt happened near 48th/Andover.

Three reader reports:

STOLEN TRUCK: From Jonathan:

Sometime late at night on Sunday 5/22 or early this morning 5/23, our blue 1993 Dodge Ram 250 pickup truck was stolen from 25th Ave SW near the Delridge P-Patch Garden. It is lifted, huge, 2-door. It has silver paneling around the base and says DODGE in huge letters over a silver/blue/red tailgate. It also has a sticker that reads “82nd Airborne” on the bumper. The truck is huge, can’t miss it!

We’ll add the plate and incident numbers when we get them.
EVENING UPDATE: Jonathan says the truck has been found: “3 blocks away on 26th and Dakota. Neighbors said it didn’t show up until Late afternoon. They stole an extra battery but left the Willie Nelson CDs!”

Now, two kids’ bicycles from the “dumped-and-likely-stolen” file:

KIDS’ BICYCLE #1: A texter reports this was left in their alley southeast of The Junction:

Yours? Let us know and we’ll connect you with the finder.

KIDS’ BICYCLE #2: Wyatt found this bike abandoned near the Charlestown water standpipe:

It’s an Avigo Splash 16” bike. In this case, too, let us know if it’s yours and we’ll connect you.

Joshua hopes you will keep an eye out for this stolen motorcycle:

Gray café racer motorcycle, plate number 2J2518, was stolen Saturday morning around 5 am from SW Avalon Way. A report has been filed with local police.

7:41 PM: Thanks to Tony for the photo, and to everyone who’s texted. Also happening right now, police are investigating gunfire in North Delridge. No injuries reported but as Tony’s photo shows, they’ve found shell casings. This is reported to be in the 25th/Dakota vicinity. We’re on our way to see what else we can find out.

7:59 PM: We’ve confirmed no one was hit. Police say a particular residence seemed to be the target; they’re wrapping up their investigation. According to Tony, the shooter was described as “last seen heading south on 26th Ave SW. Green slides, black hoody with ‘Respect’ on the back in red/white. Seen taking off an old-school full-face ski mask.”

8:06 PM: Dispatch has told officers someone in the targeted residential building (which we’ve heard described as a duplex) called in to say they found a bullet in their home.

8:45 PM: No additional info, but if you have anything to add to the police investigation, here’s the incident number to refer to when contacting them: 22-129315.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: A few more details from the preliminary police summary: The shots were indeed fired toward a particular duplex by a person on foot. SPD adds: “Both units of the duplex had bullet damage and an unoccupied home being built had also been struck.”

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning:

ANOTHER STORE ROBBERY: Police are investigating this one right now, at Sally Beauty in Westwood Village. Different description from last night’s mini-mart robberies – this time the robber is described as a white man in his 50s, medium build, black beanie, black face mask, gray hoodie, slim build, black skinny jeans, white sneakers, holding a black and silver gun in one hand as he left eastbound on SW Barton. Police told us at the scene that he got away with about $300 in cash.

STOLEN PICKUP: Sent this morning by Kelli:

My husband’s truck was stolen from out front of house. It was last seen at 10 pm last night, 44th Ave SW between Hanford and Hinds.

Chevy Silverado 1998, grayish brown color, license plate C22085D

It has several stickers on the back window including a crab in the lower left hand corner and. Washington state sticker in upper left with blue TR.

AFTERNOON UPDATE: Found.

10:18 PM: Seattle Police are investigating another robbery at the Lucky 5 mini-mart/gas station (35th/Henderson). The call came in about quarter past 9. Officers told dispatch that the robbers were described as “unknown race males,” both with handguns, who are believed to have gotten away in a silver “older model” Toyota Corolla, last seen eastbound on SW Henderson. No other details; if you have any tips, the SPD incident # is 22-127475.

10:26 PM: Now police are responding to a second mini-mart holdup, at 4001 California SW. Officers gave dispatch this early description: two Black males and one Asian male, all three in their 20s and dressed entirely in black. They got away via the alley behind the store. … A K-9 is being brought in to help search.

10:33 PM: The description’s been updated to say two of the robbers were in orange jackets and the third wore a gray hoodie. Officers are telling dispatch they believe these are the same robbers who held up the Lucky 5 an hour earlier. Same getaway car – silver Toyota Corolla, last seen southbound in the alley. If you have tips/sightings on this, incident # is 22-127529.

Matthew hopes you’ll keep an eye out for his stolen motorcycle:

STOLEN: from street on 3600 block of 44th Ave SW

2016 Triumph Thruxton. Blacked-out Engine, custom cowl and cluster gauge. Custom license plate: HEY HO. Custom wave side panels. Aftermarket piggyback shocks. Was black with gray vinyl striping, but that could easily be peeled off in an attempt to conceal. If that is peeled, then has a gold stripe up the tank. Last seen in West Seattle last night. Any help to recover is welcomed. Reward. No questions asked. VIN ends in 9777.

Anyone on 44th with a Ring camera could check for a car or truck with a trailer sometime between midnight and 8 a.m. last night – contact Matthew at mazoomors (at) gmail.com or share it with Seattle Police by calling 206-625-5011 and using case number 22-126196.

Some owners of stolen cars have found them by looking around. In Christy‘s case, she just happened onto hers:

My vehicle was stolen last night in front of my apartment building at (3800 block of) Beach Dr. SW. There have been numerous car thefts and break ins in this area lately.

I was fortunate enough to have found my car at 38th Ave SW and Andover around 9 am this morning. It was by chance that I found it while taking an Uber to an appointment that was two blocks from where I found my car. My car was still running and the ignition was badly damaged. The police came and took a report. There was a plastic tool kit that was left by the car thief that the police took as evidence.

I was really lucky. I know others have not been so lucky. I would like people in this area to be aware that this is happening. I know these car thieves will be back if they are not stopped.

She’s checking with neighbors to see if there’s any security-camera imagery to add.