Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

TOOL THEFT: Via text:

This guy stole tools from my work van on SW Orchard St. [in Gatewood] at 9:30 AM. Be on the look out. We did call the SPD and have sent these pictures. Our tools are a large jack hammer in black case and Milwaukee cordless rotohammer with cordless rotohammer Vacuum separate cases. Husky socket set and two Milwaukee parts boxes with miscellaneous parts. All tools and cases have green paint on them. I’d like to thank Jon G, a neighbor, for the pictures.

SPD incident number is 20-136459.

ABANDONED BIKE #1: Scott spotted this next to the future park at 48th/Charlestown:

ABANDONED BIKE #2: No photo, but John spotted a men’s Raleigh bike in the 4700 block of 25th SW.

From M:

Just thought I’d let you know that my car was broken into last night in the Seaview neighborhood, on 48th Ave SW between Juneau and Findlay. It was parked in my driveway with a bright motion light. I don’t keep anything in there really, so the only thing stolen was a portable charger. Oddly, they left the change and dollar bills that were in the same compartment as the charger. The glove box and center compartment were emptied out and contents strewn on the floor and seat. They opened a letter from my bank, but left it.

Back in January, we reported on charges filed against 41-year-old David Vasquez, accused of drug dealing after a long investigation that involved undercover buys in West Seattle and eventually netted drugs, guns, and cash. As charging documents noted, police found out about Vasquez while investigating the death of a 3-month-old baby in Southeast Seattle, blamed on fentanyl she apparently ingested through her mother’s milk. No charges were filed at the time – but that has just changed.

A reader pointed us to this Seattle Times report about charges against the baby’s parents, 36-year-old Samantha De Leo and 44-year-old Christopher Keadle. We subsequently found the charging documents in King County Superior Court online files. Each was charged this past week with first-degree felony manslaughter. The charging documents say:

While Ms. DeLeo was obviously the conduit for directly exposing the baby to the drugs that killed her, Mr. Keadle was most often the person who procured the drugs for Ms. DeLeo and without question aided in creating the environment and conditions under which the baby died. Both defendants are responsible for the death of their baby.

Police say cell phone records show more than 2,000 phone contacts between the couple and the accused dealer over an eight-month period before and after the baby’s death last year. They are out on bond and scheduled for arraignment April 27th. Vasquez, meantime, was briefly out on bond for a few days in January but then rebooked for what the jail register says was a failure to appear. He has twice asked for his $250,000 bail to be reduced, and again last week, a judge said no.

Be on the lookout for Megan‘s stolen car: A 2005 silver 4-door Nissan Altima, California plates 6BFE480, taken from the 6000 block of 42nd Avenue SW. It has a small VR (in yellow auto chalk) on the driver’s-side door. Call 911 if you see it.

From Blake in The Admiral District:

This suspect broke into my car and stole a sub-woofer speaker, a Benro tripod, and other miscellaneous items. It happened last night … I just wanted to get the word out there in case someone else sees the man lurking around their property.

No police-report # yet but we’ll add it later when it’s available.

(WSB photo, Friday night)

Back on Friday night, we covered what started as gunfire at 35th/Morgan and continued as a search after suspects ran from a car near Avalon/Genesee. One adult suspect remains in jail, an 18-year-old Auburn man for whom bail was set over the weekend at $75,000. Probable-cause documents in his case say witnesses on Friday night heard gunfire in the alley north of Walgreens – where we photographed the shell-casing markers shown above – just before they saw three people get into a red car that then left the scene. An officer on his way to the gunfire scene spotted the car less than four minutes later; three passengers ran from the car. Two were eventually caught, the 18-year-old suspect and a 17-year-old; the 24-year-old woman who was driving was questioned and released. Documents say the two guns found in the car were.38 caliber and .22 caliber, and the latter matched the caliber of the 19 shell casings found at the original scene. During questioning, police were told this was all preceded by a confrontation at the Delridge ARCO/AM/PM with a man in a black Mercedes who allegedly pointed an “AK-type rifle” at the suspects’ car. The passengers apparently spotted that car at 35th/Morgan and that’s what led to the gunfire there. Though there was one report of someone being hit by gunfiire, to date no evidence of that has been found. We don’t know the status of the 17-year-old suspect, who was booked into juvenile detention, but he’s described in the probable-cause document as a convicted felon. The suspect who was not caught is 18.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon:

STOLEN CAR AND KAYAK: John‘s silver 1993 Subaru Legacy was stolen last night in the 4800 block of 48th SW, orange-and-white kayak and all. (We’ll add the plate # when we get it.) If you see it, please call 911. (update – found!)

DUMPED BIKE WITH CART: From Rick:

Someone left this bike with tow cart in the 6700 block of 14th Ave SW (near Myrtle and green belt), last night/early morning. Possibly stolen.

That’s the plate on Tamara‘s niece’s car. She just arrived in West Seattle – and on her first night, her car was stolen. It has a UW sticker on it. Some stolen cars are abandoned miles away, but some are dumped near where they were taken, so we publish these reports in hopes you can be on the lookout too. If you see it, call 911.

Three notes this afternoon:

STOLEN BICYCLE: From Sophia:

Unfortunately i’m writing this hoping anyone can help find my stolen bike ? I took it out around 8 and around 10 it was gone. I live in a gated complex [near California/Brandon], so i’m still unsure how this happened … the police report is 20-121584 and it’s a women’s Giant.

FOUND BICYCLE: Dominic reports, “Missing a new green women’s cruiser bicycle? It was throw over a fence in a residence in the 90xx block of 17th Ave SW at 4:35 pm (Friday) afternoon.”

DUMPED: Aaron reports, “I woke this morning to find a seemingly brand-new cooler and tent that appears to have been thrown down the hill from Marine View Dr. – we are near 100th. We are going to try to locate the owner for the next day or so. Seattle police were down our street at about 1030 last night and it must be related because we are on a dead end. We already reported to the non emergency line.”

From Kate:

Our truck was broken into last night at 40th Ave SW and SW Dakota street. They stole a large and very heavy green and brown Duluth Trading Company bag that is filled with straps and chains…I’m thinking it was likely ditched as it has no monetary value and is SO heavy! We also are on the lookout for a construction hard had with attached head lamp and a safety vest. We have filed a police report.

If you spot either item, let us know and we’ll connect you.

Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN CAR: The most-recent citywide crime overview shows auto theft is up 32% this year, and here’s the latest: Lindsey‘s maroon 1998 Subaru Legacy was stolen overnight, near 39th/Thistle. Plate: AWA3157. If you see it, please call 911.

The next three reports all involve vandalism:

ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY: Jim, who lives near the school, reports damage to the parking lot:

First – last week a car and perhaps a motorcycle did burnouts in the parking lot. So much so…that it totally ruined the look of the new black-topped parking lot. Secondly, within the last few days …..someone dumped a 1-gallon bucket of white paint all over the parking. Totally ruining the parking and defacing the beautiful brand-new school. Paint bucket was left in the lot and is still there. … No school leaves time for mischief unfortunately….and it is sad to see a brand new school get defaced.

ALSO IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Egging vandalism, reported by Jay, who wonders if anyone else was hit:

Around 10:30 pm Tuesday, I heard noises on my windows. When I went outside to check, it appears someone had thrown eggs at the apartment building and they were falling/oozing down the windows. This was near 35th and Barton.

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SCHMITZ PARK: Ali sent photos (which we’re not showing, no time right now to stop down and blur) of trees in Schmitz Preserve Park defaced by spray paint. At least one looks like an anti-COVID-19 message – great sentiment but NOT on trees (might we suggest, chalk art).

In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

PROWLING REPORT: From an Arbor Heights resident:

Have (an attempted) break-in that happened this morning at 11:30 am … Has been reported to police with video from our doorbell camera, etc.

The vehicle (was) a red 1991 Ford F-150.

The guy approached the house because driveway was empty, and was trying to pry the doorbell camera off when I confronted him.

SPD incident # is 2020-116947.

BURGLARY PREVENTION: Also today, Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner sent this advice:

Even though many Seattle area residents are Staying Home to Stay Healthy, we still see residential burglaries occurring throughout Seattle. There are some trends worth noting. In some instances, suspects peered through windows, saw something close by that they wanted, then smashed the window and grabbed the item without entering the home. In other instances, burglars may be watching to see when people leave the house, (maybe going to the store for a short while), make entry, then leave quickly.

We wanted to offer these tips to help reduce burglaries in your neighborhood:

Lock your doors, even when home

Lock your windows or at least limit how far they can be opened

Don’t leave valuables in close proximity of a window

Answer the door; let people know you are home. “Answering” the door does not mean “opening” the door.

Always know who is on the other side of your door before you open it, even if you are expecting someone

While home, take moments to go outside and put eyes on the street; check out what’s happening on the street

When you see neighbors out and about, wave and say hi. When you see people you don’t know out and about on your street, wave and say hi. Send the message that you are a neighborhood that cares and that you are paying attention

Do not call 911 to report people being outside; remember that Police are focused on criminal behavior, not people who want to get out of the house for a bit (Please contact us directly if you have questions about how to report anyone violating the ‘Stay-At-Home’ order)

Stay connected with your Block Watch neighbors and help keep an eye on your neighbors’ place and ask they do the same for you

If you live in an apartment or condo make sure to check on your car daily to ensure it is secure.

It’s a good time to also use your Block Watch connections to see if any neighbors need help or could use a few items from the grocery store.

If you have prevention/safety questions, jennifer.danner@seattle.gov is her contact info.

Alison reports her car was stolen today:

My 1993 Honda Accord SE was stolen today around noon from behind my apartment building at 3001 SW Avalon Way. It’s a dark blue-green, has a spoiler, plate number BCX 9718. (This stock photo is) of an identical car. SPD incident number 2020-115904.

If you see it, please call 911.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports today:

CHILD CARRIER STOLEN: Amy on Puget Ridge sends that photo with this report:

Last night someone managed to open the back door of our minivan, parked in our driveway. Among the stolen items was the Tula Toddler carrier we sometimes use to carry our disabled son on hikes. (You may also have seen us on walks with his swell blue trike, but it doesn’t do well on stairs).

The Tula retails for over $100, so we would love to get it back if possible. It has a gray and green pattern, with gray straps. It’s machine washable, so if someone sees it dumped somewhere, please let us know! Also stolen were a case of Clif Bars and a bag of reusable shopping bags.

WELCOME SIGN DEFACED: Pete Spalding, from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, sent photos and word that the WSCoC is working on getting this cleaned up. We blurred the tags as per WSB policy to not show tagging vandalism whenever possible, but you can get the idea – both sides of the sign were hit:

The sign was installed 11 months ago, funded by a gift from philanthropist Ada Rhodes Cruzen.

Two incidents to report in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

MYSTERY MADE BURGLARIZED: That’s a frame from this security video provided by Cory at Mystery Made, who reports: “Mystery Made was broken into in the early morning! Windows shattered and goods stolen! Please, anyone who knows our shop and the goods we sell, please be on the lookout! We are bummed! Any insight or leads pass along to info@mysterymade.com and we can pass along to WSeattlePD!”

ADDED 3:33 PM: We followed up to ask Cory if there was anything specific to watch for:

Almost all clothing inventory was taken from space. Includes, hatchets, sunglasses, hats etc.
One unique item could be the Sonos Play5 that was custom laser etched. would be something specific if found/seen.

Meantime, though Mystery Made had been able to stay “open” online – because of this, even that is now closed TFN.

VEHICLE BREAK-IN: Also early this morning, Erin reports, this happened near 50th and Dawson, southwest of The Junction:

At approximately 4:50 am this morning, April 5th, our RAM 1500 Dodge was burglarized and approximately $3500 of Tools, outdoor safety and recovery gear for overland travel, outside first aid gear, small ARB air compressor, Craftsman tools was stolen from the cab and back of our truck. 2 large Husky brand duffel bags and 2 Mountain smith brand bags full of all the gear. MSR water purification system, Craftsman tools. The list of our loss (both financially and sentimental) is very long and we’re devastated that someone would do this, especially as we’re all going thru such a difficult time. Police report filed #2020-904203

Our neighbor was headed to work and heard the noice and saw someone in our vehicle, our neighbor yelled and tried to scare the person away but unfortunately the person had already taken everything out of our truck so the person sped off quickly. Our neighbor reports that the car may have been early 00’s small SUV Honda CRV or similar, probably blue or black.

Be on the lookout for Brad‘s stolen car:

It’s a maroon 1994 Honda Accord LX Sedan, license plate BBH9979, cracked windshield, a WWU sticker on the rear window, and a few stickers on the passenger side of the rear bumper, stolen Wednesday night/Thursday morning from the 4400 block of 49th Ave SW.

We hope you don’t ever have anything to report in Crime Watch – but if you do, after you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening NOW), please send us info so your West Seattle neighbors will be aware too.

As if small businesses don’t have enough to worry about … Evan at Lady Jaye in The Junction sent that photo of damage to their door, explaining, “Someone tried to break in our back door last night, so remind everyone to lock their doors and set their alarms, especially the businesses that are empty. We are here a lot so it’s easier for us to police. All of our booze is off-premise too.” Local police say their emphasis patrols have switched focus to include closed businesses, but they can’t be everywhere – they’ve provided this advice, too.