West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen Santa, and more theft alerts

Several quick Crime Watch reports to share from the past few days. We start with the Saga of the Stolen Santa. Kirsten in North Admiral sent the photo of the “Old World Santa” at left and wrote: “(Tuesday) when I got home from work I noticed that the Old World Santa I display yearly had been stolen from my front porch. Normally I would not get upset about a material thing but the more I got to thinking about it, the more upset I have become. The Santa was my Mother’s who is now deceased and prior to my display, she had done so for many years prior. Each year when I’d put it out, it helped keep my memory of her alive and in a little way made the holidays a bit more bearable. The likelihood is that some kids took off with it but I thought that by sending this in, there is a chance I may get it back. It’s about 2.5 – 3 feet tall and 30 lbs or so.” Seen this Santa? Send us a note (editor@wsb.blackfin.biz) and we’ll forward it to Kirsten. Ahead: Another stolen item whose owner hopes to get it back, and a stolen item that WAS retrieved, plus other reports:

From Steve:

A note that my car was broken into this morning. I live on a dead end street near 59th Ave SW/Boyd. Strangely, they took my softball equipment, which is only worth something to me. If you are able to post a message about anyone finding a black softball bag in some alley, it’s
mine most likely and I’d love to get my baseball mitt back!

Maybe there’s hope, judging by what happened to a crime victim who wanted to remain anonymous. First, she sent this note:

Just wanted to report a car break in and a stolen backpack that happened (Wednesday) between 3:00 pm and 3:45 pm in the parking lot behind Westview Dental. The office is just south of the WS Nursery, in the 5400 block of Calif Ave on the west side. Looks like a smash and grab and the delinquent only wanted the backpack, hoping to find electronics, because other items were left in the car.

Less than a day later, before we had published the first report, this followup came in:

Good news to report. A Potter Construction company employee found the backpack near where he parks. Found the name, called the closest school (Madison) and they called us. Very wet contents but everything was still in it – binders, books, calc, all. So very happy with recovery. Kudos to Potter Construction company!!

Perhaps on your Crime Watch – post in BIG LETTERS – DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING VISIBLE IN YOUR VEHICLES – EVER!!!! EMPTY SEATS LEAVE LESS CURIOSITY.

Next one’s from RD, who also has advice:

Just wanted to share, my ipod and GPS were stolen from my car sometime (Monday) night on the 6500 block of 41st Ave SW. I must have accidentally left it unlocked (really unusual) and I’m guessing someone was checking doors and got lucky with mine. Reported it to the police. We’ve had a car stolen in the past from the same spot (about 4 years ago), right in front of our house. Big lesson to me–don’t forget to lock up.

And also take note – two additional reports of stolen catalytic converters, cut right out from under cars parked on the street, have been added in the comment thread below this post – right under another victim’s helpful advice on one place to repair the damage.

Eric January 9, 2009 (7:47 am)

I live on 37th in Admiral, and had someone come into my front yard and scope out my front porch last night. I know this because I have a gate that is always closed (to keep a dog in) which was open, and noticed a snow shovel missing.

Not a *big* deal, just concerning and a hassle. It just goes to show that people are walking around at night looking for crimes of convenience (unlocked cars, garage doors open, etc).

Kristy January 9, 2009 (8:31 am)

I live near 36th and Barton. My daughter’s car was broke into during the early morning hours on Wednesday the 7th. They threw a huge rock in the drivers window and took everything including her purse, sunglasses, digital camera and even some rented movies.

P. Brosnan January 9, 2009 (9:44 am)

Who steals a santa statue? Sheesh!

Similarly,

Who leaves their purse in the car overnight? Sheesh!

You primates are unbelievable.

ellenater January 9, 2009 (10:08 am)

Is it just my imagination or is there a LOT more crime lately?

WSB January 9, 2009 (10:22 am)

We’ve received more direct reports from victims but that doesn’t necessarily mean more crime. Means more people are sharing their stories in hopes of helping others, getting their stuff back, increasing awareness. Which is great. Wish none of it happened so there would be nothing to report; maybe someday. Also see discussion under Circa/Cupcake Royale post, in which a WSBer and I both muse further on this – TR

https://wsb.blackfin.biz/blog/?p=13376

zerodacus January 9, 2009 (10:23 am)

I’m amazed at the boldness of people. We had a similar situation near Charleston a couple of years ago, my wife had a large garden variety angel that sat on the ledge of our front porch and weighed about 50 pounds. Someone, and it had to have been an adult in a car, came up the walk onto the front porch and stole it. Now this was in broad daylight on a weekday, because my son was getting ready for school and heard a noise. Like the santa, it probably only be an adult who has absolutely no moral compass.

chris January 9, 2009 (10:34 am)

ellenater-
nope it’s not your imagination. As the economy goes down crime goes up.

Eddie January 9, 2009 (10:53 am)

Kristy says “Daughters car broken into….took everything including her purse…..”

Bill Engvall would say “Here’s your sign!”

Following along with the discussion about “is there more crime or are we just more aware because we read the blog….”, Since we are more aware because we read the blog, and there actually might be more crime, GET A CLUE PEOPLE: don’t leave valuable stuff in your vehicle!

WSB January 9, 2009 (11:18 am)

Valid points but please be somewhat kinder to each other. Many people wouldn’t dream of leaving anything at all in the car BUT you can also take the logic a step further and say – then how can you expect Christmas decorations on your steps to not be stolen, how can you expect a planter outside your house (happened to us) to not be stolen, how can you expect someone not to come steal your raingutters for scrap metal … At some point, there’s a clash between common sense and “for heaven’s sake, do we really have to live in a state of mind where we just expect everything to be theft target and start ringing our homes with barbed wire and armed guards – can’t I just leave my stuff in the car for once and hope it’ll be OK”? Sigh.

dd January 9, 2009 (11:37 am)

when i moved to seattle (from the east coast)10+ years ago i was AMAZED that my new roommates would leave thier purse in thier car when they parked downtown or in fremont. no one i knew out here had any problem or theft.
but after a year or so that ‘policy’ ended.

yeah, let’s be nice. too many snippy comments in a bunch of these threads lately.
can’t we all just get along?

I like nice people... January 9, 2009 (12:32 pm)

“yeah, let’s be nice. too many snippy comments in a bunch of these threads lately.
can’t we all just get along?”

dd – I so agree with you. The anonymity of the web makes some people say things they normally wouldn’t if speaking directly to the person. Although I do agree that common sense comes into play with situations like this, it could be said with a kinder tone.

KD January 9, 2009 (9:09 pm)

I just wanted to post that my car was broken into on Dec 20 inside a locked common garage on Harbor Ave, (2 other cars were also broken into) My GPS stolen, garage door open stolen along with a bag for charity. The repairs cost close to 5,000 and I got the car back yesterday. Last night I parked in the open parking lot since I no longer have a garage door opener and my car was again broken into. I had not had the car back for more than 12 hrs.

There was nothing of value in my car and it was locked. What can we and neighbors do to keep this from happening again?

Eddie January 9, 2009 (9:51 pm)

TR – (AKA Editor WSB): would it be possible to make KD’s post above a separate topic – such as “What can we do?”

Seems like there is a potential overflowing of frustration and need for a little community outrage/action related to some of this behavior we are hearing about.

Dis-satisfaction with the “status quo” is how things get changed.

WSB January 9, 2009 (10:06 pm)

Tell me what you would want to know about “what can we do”? Just open a separate discussion – or search for resources/advice? Let me know so it can be framed most helpfully wrt what you’re thinking. In the short run, the lower section of the Crime Watch page has resources including police advice on best ways to prevent car theft and other common crimes.

Neighbor January 10, 2009 (12:32 pm)

Isn’t Skyelar Hailey still residing in the Admiral neighborhood? Isn’t it his mo to break into cars at all hours and then for for the houses next? This man (he’s now over 18) has been arrested multiple times for robbery and is now living in the district with friends. The last time he was caught was Nov. 10th. during a robbery in N. Admiral. Hope his latest trial goes well and this little @%!?!! ends up in jail with a big cell mate.

Kathleen January 10, 2009 (3:25 pm)

We used to live in Wallingford just north of 45th, and our cars got broken into fairly regularly. I thought I’d left the doors unlocked but it turns out there are plastic keys that thieves will use to get into a car. We found that out when someone tried to steal the car using that key and then dismantled the steering wheel trying to get it back out of the ignition. The repair shop showed it to us.

Sorry, comment time is over.