From Carole:

My neighbor’s car was stolen from our condo garage, 3700 block of California, on Monday 9/16. Sometime between 3 pm and 1:30 am. 2006 teal Acura TSX, license AMR3549. Decal on back: “Any functioning adult 2020.” She asks that you please post on the blog in case anyone sees it.

If you see it, please call 911 (and then let us know!).

In West Seattle Crime Watch, two incidents, plus reminders:

WATER-COOLER BURGLAR: From the police report files, a burglary in the 3300 block of 31st SW on Saturday morning:

(Victim) states he was in bed when he heard his back door open. (Victim) states he had left it unlocked and was staying in the basement due to renovations of the residence. (Burglar) stuck his head in the open door and when (Victim) yelled out, (suspect) fled in unknown direction.

(Victim) states a 5 gallon water cooler was on the table next to the door (suspect) opened and is now missing.

Police searched the area but didn’t find anyone.

PORCH TAMPERING: The video is from Brandon near 35th/Alaska:

This guy was at my door, went through my mailbox, then took apart my device. He never came into the home as far as I can tell.

MEETING REMINDERS: As featured in today’s highlights, West Seattle Crime Prevention Council at 7 pm tonight; then on Saturday, the kickoff for Paws on Patrol, 10 am. Both are at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).

From Angie:

My parked car was hit (Sunday) while I was at work in West Seattle. It was hit on Glenn and Oregon. According to a neighbor who walking their dog around 2 pm, it was like this.

It happened between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. Maybe someone saw something and could help find the person responsible for damaging my car.

Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

ROCK SUSPECT OUT: The 18-year-old arrested for throwing three rocks through the windows of Whisky West on Sunday night while customers were in the restaurant/bar got out of jail tonight. The register notation says he was given a conditional release on his warrant for a 2018 “disorderly conduct” case in Kent as well as on this arrest.

BUSINESS VANDALISM: The latest local business reporting vandalism is My Family Doctor (3623 SW Alaska):

Dr. Terrill Harrington says via email, “My office was vandalized last night with damage to our tree pots.”

In West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:

(Reader photo from Sunday night)

WHISKY WEST ROCK SUSPECT UPDATE: The man arrested for throwing three rocks through the Morgan Junction restaurant’s windows Sunday night (as first reported here Monday) had a bail hearing this afternoon. Police documents say he’s 18 but he’s listed as 19 on the jail register, which shows conditional release granted for this case – pending a potential charge of malicious mischief – but $5,100 bail set on a failure-to-appear warrant for a disorderly-conduct case last year in Kent, so he’s still in jail. Other than that case, the only record shown for him is another Kent Municipal Court case from earlier last year, no details available.

MAILBOXES TARGETED: The photo and report are from RW on 31st SW:

This morning we discovered that someone tried to break in to the postal-supplied mail boxes on 31st and Findlay overnight. They succeeded with one. Looks like they tried to pull the other two off of the supports but weren’t successful. The post office says they no longer replace them and that there is a waiting list for PO boxes. It takes 30 days to repair locks if that will work. They had no response when I asked could we mount individual boxes in front of our homes. I have lived at this address 31 years. Never have we had this problem.

REMINDER: Bring your neighborhood crime concerns/questions to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council‘s first post-summer-hiatus meeting next Tuesday (September 17th), 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). Besides hearing from/talking with local police, you will also get info about ID theft from a consumer-protection specialist with the state Attorney General’s Office.

Multiple texters report gunfire heard less than an hour ago in east West Seattle, from Westwood to Highland Park. No gunshot victims reported anywhere, so far, and we haven’t heard any radio discussion of evidence found.

An urgent alert just in from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:

Seal Sitters is suspending its canister collection program immediately. There has been a rash of canister thefts this month; we believe that thieves are putting the canisters in other businesses and collecting the money for themselves. If your business currently has a Seal Sitters canister, please remove it from your counter and call our hotline at 206-905-SEAL.

Thank you to everyone who dropped a few coins (or many) into the canisters over the years. Seal Sitters depends on contributions to further our educational outreach and help protect marine life. The canisters may be gone, but you can still donate by going to sealsitters.org/you_can_help/donate.html

Seal Sitters also thanks these businesses that have sponsored our program: Coastal Surf Boutique, Easy Street Records, El Chupacabra, Elliott Bay Brewing, Fatburger, Husky Deli, M2S and Alki Kayak, Merryweather Books, Next to Nature, Pegasus Book Exchange, Pegasus Pizza & Pasta, Tiffany’s Hair Design, Tully’s Coffee, and Wild Birds Unlimited.

Another case of someone throwing rock(s) through a business window – but this one happened while the business was open and customers were inside. Andria sent the photo and report:

Our moms group met up at Whisky West last night around 7:15, and shortly after a young guy came up to the bar and started baseball pitching bricks and big rocks through the windows. We all had to crawl and shelter behind the bar until it stopped. He was then chased my samaritans across the street where he was pictured diving into an open window in the round apartments. Police came and surrounded the building until they finally found and arrested him. Everyone was ok inside the bar, except a girl who sprained her ankle jumping over a railing to take cover.

After getting her report, we requested the police narrative. It confirms that the suspect was arrested, found in the Cal-Mor Circle apartment into which he “dove.” We haven’t been able to find out more about his current status yet. The report says three rocks were thrown. The officer who wrote the report added, “Several witnesses were reportedly injured as a result of this incident. One such witness … advised that she thought somebody was firing a weapon into the restaurant when she tried to seek shelter by diving off of a platform and over a banister. … reported a right ankle injury and SFD was notified. She was treated and released at the scene. Additional witnesses were sitting near the window when it was shattered and reported having glass in their faces but those witnesses left the scene prior to me confirming which witness sustained what injury.”

ADDED TUESDAY: As noted in comments, the suspect is 18 years old and remains in jail.

Carmen is hoping you can help find her friend Eric‘s motorcycle, stolen from 47th/Alaska this morning:

This bike holds deep sentimental value; he’s spent over a decade building it.

Features California VIN on left down tube. If removed there will be two small holes for pop rivets. Norton motor and the pipes are upswept, one on each side. The gas tank says TRIUMPH, Joe Hunt magneto.

If found or seen please call or text the owner or myself ASAP, 206-923-2234 or 206-617-1682

And, call 911.

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:

STOLEN CAR TOP: From Christopher:

On the early hours of September 7, a person or group smashed the window of my car, unlocked it, and stole the convertible hard top off of my car. This is a discontinued and rare Honda S2000 OEM hard top in white.

If you or anybody you know knows something about this, please let me know. Similarly, if you see any white convertible Honda S2000 hard tops for sale in white, it is almost definitely stolen. Please report it to the police and me.

Description of parts involved – OEM Convertible Hard Top for a Honda S2000, Color: White with black trim.

This happened near the 3400 block of Walnut Ave SW. Police report is filed and pending a case number.

STOLEN BICYCLE: From Tom:

My bicycle was taken from the bike rack in front of the Jefferson Square Safeway at 9:10 am yesterday (Friday, Sept. 7th). Witnesses observed a white male, approx. 5’9″, wearing white T-shirt, light blue jeans, and light-colored baseball cap, hopping on the bike and riding southbound on 41st Ave SW at SW Edmunds. Bike is an S-Works brand Roubaix model, all black.

SPD has witness reports and surveillance video of the theft and the suspect. Would appreciate any information anyone might have. Am offering a significant reward for recovery of the intact bike. No questions asked. Contact Tom at 206-399-2002 or emi7191@yahoo.com

HIT-RUN: Megan is looking for witnesses:

(Thursday) I was rear ended on the West Seattle bridge going easy just before the 99 north exit at 8:30am. The person who rear ended me stopped to see if I was ok and agreed to pull to the side but then drove off. No witnesses stopped but I assume that is because it looked like information was shared. Any witnesses? My car had to be towed and I was injured, so any support would be greatly appreciated.

Police report is 19-331583.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

STOLEN 4RUNNER: From Josh:

My red ‘86 4Runner was found to be stolen this morning at 7am. It was parked in the Seaview area 4600 block between Raymond and Juneau. Last seen around 2:30am.

Lic #BAL5663
Has a celebrate diversity bumper sticker on back bumper, the bumper is also dented.
Back window has a Rogue Community College parking pass sticker on it.
Drivers side back seat window has a Dutch Brothers sticker in the form of fingers peace sign ✌️
Front bumper, drivers side is missing the black plastic bumper cap.
Top of truck is sun bleached to white.

Call 911 if you see it. (Friday Update) See comments – found!

STORE ARRESTS: From an SPD Blotter report about arrests made during “retail theft emphasis” operations, this one at Home Depot on Delridge:

(Wednesday afternoon) officers arrested two people for theft and recovered a loaded handgun from one of the suspects. Police searched the 35-year-old woman and found the weapon stashed in her purse. Police booked the woman and her accomplice, a 39-year-old man, into King County Jail.

11:02 AM: Catherine hopes you’ll be on the lookout for her sister’s stolen car: “2011 black BMW, license plate BNB7599.” We have a followup question out asking what neighborhood it was taken from; meantime, if you see it, call 911.

11:12 AM: Adding this incident just emailed by Denny:

I was woken up this morning around 4:45 am to someone loudly banging on my front door. I knew something wasn’t right so I grabbed my firearm and looked out the peephole. It was some guy who was obviously drunk or high and I yelled at him to go away. He proceeded to try and open my door which was locked and kept rambling to himself and hanging out just outside my door. Every few secs he would try my doorknob and open my door. During this time I had 911 on the line and officers were dispatched. SPD arrived within 2-3 mins and ended up arresting the individual who also had warrants out for his arrest. Huge thanks to SPD and the Southwest Precinct. Remember to lock your doors at night! This happened on 41st Ave. between SW Edmunds St. & SW Hudson St. Incident # 19-331389.

Description of person involved – Hair: Black, Top: Denver Broncos #23 Jersey/Shirt, Bottom: Blue Jeans, Shoes: don’t know, Age: mid 20s-mid 30s, Build: average, Race: Black, Sex: Male, Other details: Was also wearing a dark blue Mariners hat.

In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, two reader reports:

PURSE SNATCHER PURSUED: Earlier this evening, a texter reported seeing “several adults pursuing several teens” in The Junction. We were unable to find out what it was about – until this report that just arrived, from Lynda:

I wanted to give a HUGE shoutout to the local community to help retrieve my purse after it had been snatched this evening around 6:15 PM.

I was sitting at the Lodge with friends next to the window and a teenager grabbed my purse off of my chair. There was a group of 4 teenaged, black men in hooded sweatshirts with their pants hanging below their waists loitering in front of the Lodge. I turned my back for one second and one of them grabbed my purse which was hanging on my chair on the INSIDE of the restaurant furthest from the window. I immediately jumped out of my chair, through the window onto Alaska, and gave chase. I screamed as loud as I could for anyone to stop the (*&#@&*&^%$$ with my red purse. I didn’t realize it at the time, but everyone on California came to my aid. People were literally jumping out of windows and running down the street to help me catch this POS and get my purse back. I swear, it was like something out of ‘Starsky and Hutch’…LOVED IT! Well, I loved it in hindsight.

Thank you to EVERYONE for helping me, as I truly felt helpless running down the middle of California in my flip flops screaming. I want to give a special shout out to the man and his son that ultimately forced the thief to toss my purse. This man was/is total bada** and I believe the thief knew he was done at this point. I also want to REALLY thank the staff at the Lodge, there were at least 4 staff personnel that ran after the thief alongside me. They were truly intent on getting the thief and they went above and beyond the call of duty … thanks Tita and staff!

Also tonight:

STOLEN CAR? This has been in a local parking lot for two days, keys in the ignition, we’re told:

Police notification to come but in the meantime, if it happens to be yours, let us know.

From police reports filed over the holiday weekend:

SUNDAY: Another garage break-in and bicycle theft. It happened sometime Saturday in the 2700 block of SW Holden. The owner noticed at 8:30 pm that his 2019 Specialized Tarmac Sport Disc bicycle – dark gray and neon yellow with a bottle cage on the back of the seat – was missing. No evidence or damage, and nothing else taken.

MONDAY: A resident in the 4000 block of 45th SW reported that someone had broken into her house via a sliding-glass door left unlocked while she was outside. Items reported taken included two cameras and two boxes of custom-made greeting cards.

Via Twitter, @DuePNW pointed out that HistoryLink is noting the 60th anniversary of a West Seattle murder that remains unsolved to this day: The bomb that killed Pearl Kongsle on September 2, 1959. The case has remained open all these years; three years ago, we featured Mark Jaroslaw‘s video spotlighting an SPD “cold case” detective who was making one last try as he got ready to retire:

The site where this happened, at 46th/Othello, is planned for redevelopment.

From KC near the north end of Lincoln Park, this incident from right after her arrival home very early this morning:

I exited an Uber 20 or so feet from my door and as I was walking up I noticed a dark vehicle (resembled a 4-door Camry but I am not sure) driving down Lincoln Park Way toward Lowman Beach Park stop and turn slowly around in a U-turn fashion. I at first thought they must be a neighbor returning to my building as it appeared they were waiting for me to walk out of their way so they could pull into a spot, but they finished the turn and drove up the hill, I believe. I had stopped paying full attention by that time, but I did get a strange feeling. Whoever was driving or riding in the vehicle would’ve been able to get a good look at me.

I entered my house and was on my phone for a few minutes. The blinds were drawn but all lights were on in my unit and this would be very evident from the outside. This is one reason why I think this was not necessarily a burglary attempt but something creepier. Basically why would a random burglar try to get into one of the only residences with lights on? Less than 5 minutes after returning I heard crunching leaves outside my window. I walked closer and crouched behind my TV where I wouldn’t be visible and listened. I thought it was possibly a raccoon at first until I heard a man’s very heavy breathing. The footsteps stopped by my open window and the breathing continued. There is a lattice fence and foliage that blocked this from view if anyone were to look. I said very firmly “get the f$&k away” and immediately he retreated, in a very calm and quiet manner. His footsteps didn’t sound startled, he walked away quietly. I was on the line with 911 by this time stating my address and the circumstances (I dialed immediately after demanding he leave) I then heard a car door open and close very quietly close to my unit. My intuition unfortunately tells me the car I saw and this man were likely not coincidental. I should mention, however, I didn’t see anyone, I just heard them.

I’m still a bit shaken up, and just wanted to alert others to be extra vigilant with windows, locking doors, just being extra aware as they are coming back to and leaving home. Hopefully this is completely random, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to mention, especially if something similar has happened recently and just wasn’t reported.

The incident number is 19-326111.

Two more reader reports of car prowls, starting with one in which someone else’s stuff was left behind:

ARBOR HEIGHTS: From Morgan:

Someone broke into my car last night in Arbor Heights (police report filed) and, in addition to stealing a bag of items to go to Goodwill, left us a stereo faceplate and bike. I’d love to reunite these items with their owners, if possible. Stereo faceplate is a Kenwood; bike is a metallic blue Magna.

If one or both of those might be yours, contact us.

MORGAN JUNCTION: From Ranny: “I would like to report a car prowl in my vehicle on the night of August 28th. I was parked on SW Graham St and California Ave, pretty close to the main road. No windows were bashed in, but petty change and an Apple cord was stolen. Please be careful!”

Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

GARAGE BREAK-IN #1: Just texted:

Our garage was broken into this evening on SW Bradford St (near 55th SW; map). I pulled up and I thought it was an Amazon delivery. It was a newer model, very clean bright cherry red Chevy smaller truck. It was a white male and white woman. The woman ran from the garage carrying a brand new generator from our garage – nobody was harmed, police were called. There was much stuff in the back of their truck.

GARAGE BREAK-IN #2 & BICYCLE THEFT: From Laura – “Last night our locked garage was broken into. A black Fuji bicycle, circa 2013 or so, was taken. Sorry, no pic available. We are at SW Barton and 22nd Ave SW [map]. Lots of recent car prowls here also.”

AND ANOTHER CAR PROWL: From Eric:

I would like to report a car prowl in the Morgan Junction, on 40th and Morgan [map] last Sunday. I must have forgotten to lock my truck, and when I got in my truck Monday AM someone had been through everything and stole my sunglasses and jumper cables. They also tried to get into the back of my truck (I have a canopy). I filed a police report today.

Anecdotally – judging by the reader reports we’re getting – seems like a busy week for car prowlers. Two more reports start this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:

IN SEAVIEW: From D: “We’ve had 3 nights of car prowlers on 46th Ave between Graham and Raymond. We just had a block meeting with neighbors but wanted to give a shout out to other neighbors who might be next.”

VIA TEXT: Received this morning:

Thought I’d say I live in the 7300 block of 16th Ave SW; my car was had almost everything missing, taken when I left to go to work, just now realized. :( so sad, it’s just an old piece of dirt car with all my work items … among other things (that) got taken.

MAIL THEFT: From Michelle:

We live on 20th Ave SW between Thistle and Elmgrove. (Tuesday) night, someone figured out a way to pry open our sturdy locking mailbox. They stole a small package containing a new watch my father-in-law mailed to my husband. Other mail was stolen including birthday cards for our son. We called the non-emergency line and a policeman came out pretty quickly.

We usually pick up mail daily but missed Tuesday. This is the third time we’ve had mail stolen and thought the locking mailbox would deter thieves. The last time this happened, the police recovered our mail from the home of a woman they arrested for stealing identities and committing other fraud. It was a
painful process to restore identity.

Michelle says they’ve “started researching secure mailboxes and security cameras.”