Two reader reports to start:

WESTCREST PARK CAR BREAK-INS: The photo is from a reader who happened onto at least four cars with broken windows at Westcrest Park this afternoon. No word what if anything was taken.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT ON VIDEO: Ed in South Park sent the link to video he uploaded after a theft on S. Henderson a week ago:

This happened May 18th on South Henderson Street. Police report number: 2021-908911.

PREVENTION ADVICE – GARAGE BREAK-INS: We have been reporting on an increasing number of garage break-ins. Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner sends this bulletin with prevention advice:

If you cannot read it above, see it here.

Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:

GROCERY-STORE ROBBERY: According to a preliminary police summary, the Junction QFC was robbed just before 4 pm. Police say someone robbed a checker by implying he had a gun, then fled on foot. No description or other details available.

TIRES/WHEELS STOLEN: This happened to Tyler‘s pickup truck overnight in Seaview:

Tyler says the pickup was parked on SW Findlay west of California and adds, “I had locking wheel nuts on every wheel and they were still able to get away with them.” Here is what they looked like:

Police report # is 2021-908820.

BICYCLE TAKEN: Our inbox has had an uptick in bicycle reports these past few days – either stolen-and-missing or dumped-and-likely-stolen (scroll through this archive to see them). This is in the former category, from Renee:

Our son’s blue 24″ wheel REI Co-Op bike was taken from our garage some time in the past 3-5 days, while our garage was left open. We noticed it missing on Sunday 5/23. There is no identification on the bike, and it’s not registered on the Bike Index (now I know!). Ok to email myred5@yahoo.com with info.

Two reader reports about bicycles:

STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Lorie:

My middle schooler’s new Kona Blast mountain bike was stolen from Target (Sunday) around 4:45 – left inside the double entry doors with friends’ bikes for safekeeping while shopping. It is brown with orange writing, pink grips – large frame. Contact Mike at gatobay2018@aol.com. Police report has been filed.

FOUND BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Conrad:

I walked up and down the staircase that goes between the upper part of Pigeon Point and the bike trail under the bridge several times this weekend and noticed this bike. I don’t see it on the Bike Index and hope I can help it be found by its owner.

Email us if it might be yours and we’ll connect you.

Three Crime Watch notes:

CAR PROWLER: From a Sylvan Heights resident:

This man was seen in the Sylvan Heights neighborhood at 3:30 am. By the time the police had arrived he was gone. He was attempting to get into this car for at least 15 minutes.

DUMPED BICYCLES: From the dumped-and-likely-stolen file:

Found these two bikes dumped by the bus stop at Trenton and 16th today:

They’ve checked Bike Index – neither is registered. They’ll be checking with police too, but in the meantime, if you recognize either let us know and we’ll connect you.

SUSPECTED GUNFIRE INVESTIGATED: We don’t always receive police reports on suspected gunfire that goes unconfirmed, but we did on this one that happened just after 2 am today, so in case you heard it too: “Multiple callers reported hearing gunshots in the 4500 block of Beach Drive SW. Officers located two unidentified witnesses who reported hearing shots being fired and vehicles speeding away. No victims, shell casings, or evidence were located.”

Three reader reports:

BUILDING BREAK-IN: From Laura:

At about 8:30 (Thursday) morning, a person gained access to our condo building near California and Findlay and managed to break into some storage lockers.

We will add the police-report number when we get it.

PHONE SCAM: The utility-shutoff scam callers are still at it, and Emily emailed this warning:

I live near the Junction and just received a scam call (a 206 number) from someone claiming they were from Seattle City Light and that my account is past due (it isn’t) and they were giving me a courtesy call because they were about to disconnect my electricity. They then gave me an 800 number to call to resolve my balance and prevent disconnection.

I didn’t call the 800 number, I instead called Seattle City Light to verify my account was ok and they told me that there was a scam happening right now and that Seattle PD was investigating. Apparently a lot of people have been victims and Seattle City Light can’t really do much to help them. Just wanted to share in case they’re calling other West Seattle neighbors – the guy was pretty convincing!

City Light’s website notes: “City Light will never demand payment over the phone. If you receive a call from someone demanding payment and threatening to shut off your power, hang up immediately and call 206-684-3000 to confirm your account status. You can report attempted scams to City Light using our online form.”

P.S. Same goes for other utilities – if you get a call claiming shutoff is imminent, hang up and call the utility to check your status.

DUMPED BICYCLE: The photo and report are from CJ:

I found this bike stashed in my backyard this morning at 42nd Ave SW and Heights. Looks like a beat-up Novara brand that’s been spray painted silver.

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

Here’s a stolen electric bike to watch for. The photo and report are from Kimmy:

Last night, someone stole my Rad Power Bike out of our garage (somewhere between 8 pm – 5L30 am). It seems they were somehow able to get into one of our locked cars and take the garage door opener (?!).I have attached a picture of my bike, although it now has a rear-view mirror and basket over back tire that were added since I took the photo. We live in North Admiral, at Lander and 45th.

It’s been reported to police; we’ll add the report number when it’s available. (Added: It’s 2021-908044.)

Here’s a stolen pickup truck to watch for: Mike says his silver 2-door extended-cab 2002 Toyota Tacoma was stolen overnight from the 1800 block of SW Cloverdale: “No obvious signs of break in spotted, no broken glass, etc.” License plate #B26768V. If you see it, call 911.

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

BICYCLES STOLEN: The screenshot above is from this security video sent by Zach after 2 bicycles were stolen from his home near Admiral/59th last Thursday:

He reports, “Thieves came into our garage (we left it open for a few hours) and they took both our bikes off the rack and loaded them into a truck and sped away. My bike is an REI City 1.1 hybrid in teal color and my wife’s is a Novara Fiona beach cruiser style in teal/white. A police report has been filed and the bikes have been reported stolen on BikeIndex.com.” The SPD report # is 21-110902.

SAFETY ALERT: A reader wants to alert neighbors about a suspicious driver following her as she walked in north Morgan Junction last night, pushing her bicycle at first: “A black sedan pulled up next to me slowly and was slowly driving right next to me keeping pace with me as I walked. I looked over and noticed the windows were pitch black. You couldn’t see into them at all. For the first second or two I didn’t think anything nefarious was happening and was expecting them to maybe roll down a window and ask for directions or something like that. But the car just kept slowly driving next to me and all of the sudden I felt like I might be in a bad situation so I walked faster and they followed and then I hopped on my bike and took off really fast.” The driver did not follow from that point. No further description of the car; she just wanted to get this out there in case it had happened to anyone else.

Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch today:

BUILDING BREAK-IN TURNED ROBBERY: This happened early today in the 2600 block of 42nd SW. The preliminary police summary says the victim, observing from their apartment, saw someone “walking from the storage area with the victim’s tools. Victim went out and confronted the suspect, who was carrying the victim’s tools that had been stored in a secured storage area. The suspect fled on foot and the suspect gave chase. As the victim caught up, the suspect turned on the victim and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the victim. The victim disengaged and the suspect continued fleeing on foot. The suspect was last seen westbound on the 4200 block of SW Lander St.”

BUILDING BREAK-IN WITH ARREST: Police are investigating whether that incident might be linked to this one a bit later in which they made an arrest. Their preliminary summary says, “The manager of the apartment complex heard crashing coming from the laundry room. They went to investigate and found the door had been forced open and they observed the (suspect) in the room among overturned machines and coins on the floor. The (suspect) claimed they had permission to be there, but the manager knew otherwise. The (suspect) rushed by the manager, who called out for help. Other residents heard and came out to see the (suspect) fleeing. The group of residents grabbed the (suspect) and held them down until police arrived. They also found a gun on the (suspect). It turned out to be a realistic-looking pellet gun. The (suspect) was arrested for burglary.”

DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN CASH DRAWER: Cameron found this atop a compost/yard-waste bin near Oregon/California – if you’re missing one, let us know:

HIT-RUN: From D, who took the photos outside Fauntleroy Church:

Erratic driver smashed into signs, lost a wheel, and continued up Brace Point. As we’re looking at the wreckage a bus driver stops long enough to say the car is just around the corner. We drove up to 35th but did not find it. How far can it get on 3 wheels?

Two reader reports and a followup tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch:

MAILBOX PROWLER: The video and report are from Justin in the Alki area:

Just wanted to share with the community that these is someone going around checking mailboxes in the middle of the night. This is the second time I’ve caught video of this person. The other time, he was on a BMX-style bike.

BUILDING BREAK-IN: The photo and report are from Jordan

I wanted to share a break-in incident we had here at the Broxton (5016 California Ave SW) to make the community aware. An intruder broke into our condo building on the evening of May 4th around 10 pm. They spent over 30 minutes inside the building, stealing at least 1 item and tampering with at least 1 vehicle in our parking garage. We would appreciate any/all feedback from the community on this person’s identity to add to our open police report.

We don’t have that report number yet but will add it here when we do.

BURGLARY SUSPECT CHARGED: Also on Tuesday night – as reported here Thursday – police arrested a 36-year-old man after a break-in at a Morgan Junction apartment building. Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed two second-degree burglary charges against the suspect, Justin Goolsby. The charges cover the break-in in our report – one that left mailboxes, doors, and cars damaged at a building in the 6500 block of California SW – and another one earlier that night, in the 6900 block, around 10 pm. At that building, court documents allege, Goolsby “damaged several doors, discharged a fire extinguisher, stole the complex’s garage door opener, and rendered two elevator doors inoperable due to damage.” He has no felony convictions but is awaiting trial on three charges from Avalon Way building burglaries one night last November; he remains in King County Jail with bail set at $5,000.

Two more West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Jake:

My wife’s bike was stolen from a shared garage in the 4700 block of 41st Ave SW around noon on May 4th. The thief slipped under the garage door behind a car that was exiting the building. The bike isn’t worth much money so it may have been dumped somewhere before leaving West Seattle. Please be on the lookout. Bike is posted to the Index and a Police report has been filed (#2021-110446)

FIRE-SETTING ARREST: A 51-year-old man is in jail tonight, bail set at $1,000, arrested for investigation of reckless burning. Police say that they responded to an area across from Westwood Village just after 8 pm last night, after a complaint that someone was “using lit newspaper to try to catch a wooden residential fence on fire.” The report adds, “The resident of the house pulled the lit newspaper out of the fence before the wood caught on fire.”

Three notes in Crime Watch this morning:

RYAN COX UPDATE: Since his post-prison-release arrest last week, we’ve been watching the case. This morning, the VINE system sent notification that he is out of custody. The SCORE jail roster shows him still there with “scheduled release” tonight, so we are working to clarify. Regarding last week’s arrest, Department of Corrections spokesperson Jacque Coe told WSB that he “was arrested on a DOC warrant for two alleged violations; a) failure to comply with approved prison release address, and b) absconding by failure to report. As a condition of his supervision, he was to report to a field office within one business day of his release where geographical conditions, if any, would be discussed with him at that time, in addition to other resources of support specific to his needs.”

BUILDING-BURGLARY ARREST: A 36-year-old man is in jail, accused of breaking into a Morgan Junction apartment building in the 6500 block of California SW late Tuesday night. Police were called when the break-in was seen on live security video, with the burglar using a hammer to damage mailboxes, according to the SPD report. Police were told the suspect was first caught in the building three hours earlier, told to leave, then came back. Not only were the mailboxes damaged, the report says, two building doors also had handle damage, and door locks on two tenants’ vehicles were damaged. Police reviewed recorded security video and noted a “garden hoe” being used to damage the mailboxes as well as a hammer; both were found and taken into evidence. The police report says the suspect told police he had just ingested drugs, including heroin, so he was taken to Harborview for evaluation before being booked into jail. Online records show the suspect is awaiting trial for charges in three building break-ins on SW Avalon Way last November. We’ll update after his expected bail hearing in this case later today.

WHITE CENTER VANDALISM: Local community advocates are circulating this link to a crowdfunding campaign to help more than half a dozen White Center businesses deal with the damage done by vandals in recent months, and asked us to share it with you. The cases are being investigated by the King County Sheriff’s Office; we hope to get an update during tonight’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting (7 pm, online).

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

Those photos are from the Southwest Precinct, accompanying this alert:

On 4/25/21 at (1:20 am), the two … pictured above forced entry into the front doors of a secured residential building in the 9000 block of 20th Ave SW using a power drill. The (burglars) proceeded to steal packages from the lobby area and prowl several cars in the parking garage. There are no good face shots of the (burglars), but their clothing may be recognizable or there may be similar crimes where the suspects may be wearing similar clothing.

If you have any information about who they are, contact Detective Topacio at 206-256-6821.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports today:

2 MORE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS: From Scott:

My much-loved Honda Element lost its catalytic converter to despicable thieves (Friday) night. As did my fellow Element owner the next block south. I’m in the 2600 block of Belvidere. It is an expensive problem, not just the cost of the replacement part itself but they cause collateral damage which also must be fixed. Found vehicles are lining up for these repairs at shops.

Though a variety of vehicles are vulnerable, Elements are among the most-popular targets these days, as we learned firsthand in February.

CAR PROWLS: From Karen in Hansen View:

One of our neighbors discovered this morning that car prowlers hit several vehicles in our neighborhood overnight. They broke out a streetside-facing window on two vehicles that were parked on SW Dawson where it dead-ends just west of 36th. They unlocked our older Subaru, rifled through the glove box, and left a large straightedge screwdriver behind. Another neighbor had his van prowled, but doesn’t think anything was taken. As neighbors here compare notes, what we know so far is that this happened around 2 o’clock this morning and that they were in the alley between 36th and 37th – both north and south of Dawson – the 5000-block and 5200-block.

Three incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

ROBBERY ATTEMPT WITH GUNFIRE: After a tip, we have obtained the preliminary police report about this incident that happened just after 7:30 last night in the 2100 block of Harbor Avenue SW. Police say:

The victim stated as he was traveling northbound, another vehicle was attempting to parallel park. As he drove past, he honked his horn at the suspect vehicle. The victim parked up the roadway and shortly after without warning the suspect entered the passenger side door of his vehicle. He demanded money; the victim stated he didn’t have any. As the suspect exited the vehicle, he fired one round into the passenger seat (unknown if intentional or accidental, according to the victim). The suspect then fled the scene with an unknown subject in a separate vehicle. Officers impounded the suspect vehicle …

The witness who tipped us about the incident says the vehicle that was parking was a black Tahoe, and the vehicle that the would-be robber left in was a dark silver Saturn. He described the would-be robber as white, male, 5’10”, bald, orange construction shirt, tan hat, and faded blue jeans. If you have any information, the case number is 2021-105563.

GARAGE BURGLARY: Ian reports this happened Friday afternoon at his building in the 1100 block of Alki Avenue SW:

A man broke into our building’s storage area and opened up about a dozen of the unit’s storage lockers. Ultimately he made away with two (stolen) suitcases (visible in the second photo) full of our property.

SPD case number is 2021-105338.

CAR BREAK-IN: Texted reader report:
Kblockquote>Car Prowler broke into our Ford truck on the corner of 41st Avenue Southwest and SW Austin Street. Car prowler is routinely hitting the Gatewood neighborhood. This is at least the 3rd time the truck has been broken into. They took everything in the truck (which wasn’t much and mainly old CD’s that don’t work). They made a mess inside, broke door parts, and muddy shoe prints all over the seats as if they were crawling everywhere inside. Please, we implore the Police to start patroling Gatewood for car prowlers.

We are following up for the case # on this one.