We just got this report from Terrie Johnston at the Seattle Police Department regarding car prowls:
On February 3rd in Magnolia?s Discovery Park, SPD Patrol officers responded to a reported car prowl. Upon arrival the officers observed a VW Jetta fleeing the scene. This vehicle was occupied by a white female (mid-twenties) and two white males (late thirties). This car has been used in past crimes by a tight group (crew) of seven identified members, 3 females and 4 males. Most recently these thieves are targeting cars driven by females who park in ?destination parks? to jog or go for long walks. We believe the criminals are in the parking lot or are hidden from view nearby. They watch the victims stash their purses, credit cards, cell phones and other belongings in the trunk before leaving. The car prowlers act quickly after the victim has left, and take mere seconds to commit these crimes. All makes and models have been targeted. The Crew has also been active at Greenlake, Univ.District and beyond.
What can you do to prevent these expensive and inconvenient crimes? Remove all valuables from your car every time you park. If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight several blocks before parking. Disable internal trunk releases per your vehicle owner?s manual. Consider an audible alarm or other theft-deterrent device.
Be observant and report all crimes and suspicious activity to 9-1-1 immediately. In addition to the above mentioned Jetta, a blue 93 Suburan; Gray 85 GMC Van; maroon 93 Jeep Cherokee, black 84 Chevy Blazer and blue 84 Chevy Blazer are cars associated with these individuals.
We also received this note from a Brian, Magnolia Voice reader who had his car broken into this morning.
Not sure if you?ve received anything this morning but we live on 35th Ave W just north of Dravus. When I went to start my car this morning I noticed trash all over my seat and my trunk was open…someone had broken in to my car looking for valuables. Doesn?t look like anything of value is missing (they didn?t even check the ashtray where I keep my change) and there isn?t any obvious sign of entry. I talked to a family friend that lives two blocks north of us on 35th said his car was hit as well.
I’m not sure if it’s related, but our windshield was broken in the early hours of Feb 5. It appears to be random vandalism. We’ve had our car prowled at least three times in the last few years though nothing of value has ever been stolen.
One of my kids attends BHS; apparently there are kids there who brag of doing random car prowls around Magnolia for kicks.
you should find out who those “braggers” are and report it to the school.
I’m pretty sure that I’ve seen them at Discovery. A man, who looked older and well put together, was wearing a red scarf, hopped out of a jetta (his partner had driven in just before me, I think they had been trolling the area and stayed in the car) of the same description and walked over to the big map sign as though he was checking it out, though it was for too short a time to really learn anything or get directions, leaving his partner in the car and then he walked back. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I felt really unsettled by it, so I’m sure that I stared back and unconsciously made a description. I started my hike, but I felt unsettled about it the whole time. My car wasn’t broken into, perhaps because they didn’t see me move anything or because my car is REALLY messy.
I hope they catch these perps, I will keep my eyes open.
I never thought I’d be saying this but…
We should just charge a toll to get into Magnolia. It will keep all the riff-raff out of our community, and we can even use the money to help with Magnolia based issues. That way the money from our neighborhood would stay in Magnolia– instead of subsidizing the countless, filthy, low-rent ‘hoods of Seattle.
We already have low-rent “hoods” in Seattle.
We already have low-rent “hoods” in Seattle.
Sadly, too true…
Sadly, too true…
We already have low-rent “hoods” in Seattle.
Time to hang out in the bushes of the DP parking lots and film these thieves in action, call 911, and turn over the video to the cops.
My car, which was parked in front of my house on 39th Ave W and Dravus, was broken into about 4-6 weeks ago during the early morning hrs. It has an alarm, which didn’t go off. The trunk was open and the hood latch was broken. Had to take it in to get that fixed. I may have interrupted them; I woke up around 2 or 3 a.m. and turned the downstairs lights on.
My car, which was parked in front of my house on 39th Ave W and Dravus, was broken into about 4-6 weeks ago during the early morning hrs. It has an alarm, which didn’t go off. The trunk was open and the hood latch was broken. Had to take it in to get that fixed. I may have interrupted them; I woke up around 2 or 3 a.m. and turned the downstairs lights on.
Excuse me, but shouldn’t we return to blog posts regarding airplane noise and the farmers market?
This EXACT thing happened to me around 10AM a couple of weeks ago. I am a young female, stashed my purse in the trunk of my car before I went for a run at Discovery, and came back to find everything gone. They even tried to contact me a week later to get a reward for “finding” my phone. I knew it was a scam when they said: “we may be able to track down some of your other stuff, too…” Don’t fall for it!
The police could round up these car prowlers in short order if they really wanted to, but they consider it a low priority.
Yeah. I can’t believe that put it after murders, rapes and domestic disputes. What dicks.
Our suv was hit tonight in the south parking lot of Albertsons on 32nsd. In the store for less than five minutes and they broke the front passenger window and stole a backpack