Update: 4:43pm: The P-I reports a third burglary occurred last night, on the 4000 block of Sunnyside Avenue North. According to the P-I, “Police believe the burglar entered through an unlocked front door and stole a purse near there. The theft was not discovered until after 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.”
Update 3:15pm: We’ve just learned that only one of the two houses previously reported had an unlocked door.
Earlier: The Seattle P-I reports that two burglaries occurred last night in Wallingford within a few blocks of one another. In one case, the burglars entered the home through an unlocked door. According to the P-I:
At 2:50 a.m., a woman living in the 4200 block of Meridian Avenue North woke to someone yelling ‘let’s go’ inside her home, Detective Renee Witt said in a statement. The woman then heard footsteps running down her outside stairs.
The thieves took electronics and the woman’s car keys, but did not steal her car.
Over on the 4100 block of Sunnyside, thieves stole electronics and car keys from a family’s home while they were sleeping. The P-I reports that the incident occurred sometime between midnight and 7:00am. Unfortunately, the family’s 2011 Audi A4 was stolen. According to the P-I, “The stolen vehicle is a gray 2011 Audi A4, license plate number ADZ8091. Anyone who spots the car is asked to call 911.”
Incidentally, while I was writing this up for the blog, another reader sent me information about a burglary that happened over the weekend:
Between 5pm Friday 3/2 and 6pm Saturday 3/3, someone entered our (unlocked) garage in the Meridian Park area through an unlocked side door. They opened some cupboards and a front and rear car door, which they left open. A few things were strewn around inside, but the only thing obviously missing was small change from the armrest.
What was most disturbing was that the prowler had brought a piece of newspaper, and made that, and a page from one of my nearby papers, into torches — based on the ash pattern, probably to look into the back window. This garage has loads of cardboard boxes, some containing books and magazines, and a few baskets of kindling sticks. And it’s made of cedar. Fortunately, the floor is concrete, and the prowler stamped out the flames without anything else catching.
The police said it probably happened fast, & that the perp was probably only interested in cash or True Valuables. The papers were taken as evidence, in case they carried any prints. It’s being written up as a burglary, car prowl, and attempted arson (“because it could have caused a fire”). Needless to say, we fixed the door lock, and are keeping the exterior floodlight on at night. We also have a very protective dog; we were either out on a really short walk (implying that we were watched), or she unusually didn’t hear anything amiss. I forgot to ask if there have been other similar reports lately… but please, neighbors, be careful, and watch your flammables.
H/T to many of you who sent us these tips!
We need to catch these crackheads and lock them the eff up.
While I completely sympathise with the victims here, I’m concerned about the report that 2 of the 3 incidents mentioned here involved unlocked doors! Lock your doors everyone!
We live in Tangletown and came home Sunday afternoon after being gone over night to find our house had been broken into. They broke the glass on the back door and reached in to unlock the deadbolt. We have motion lights but they unscrewed the light bulbs in 2 of the 3.
Luckily, they didn’t take that much of value other than our camera which had our newborn’s baby pictures on it. They also took our change jar, my necklaces and my 2 year-old’s night light (random) but left the computers and TVs and an i-phone that was sitting out in the kitchen.
We’re getting a security system installed next week. I’m sad to have to do it but I want to sleep at night (not that I’m getting that much right now with a newborn).
saw a suspicious black van around 2am that looked like it was casing the street, had sick kid and didn’t call 911, now regret it.
Angela, very sorry to hear about your home being burglarized. The neighbors who live just west of Tangletown are all in communication because there have been so many crimes, including a serious situation last Friday morning during which all of the streets were blocked by SPD while they searched for (and found) a car prowler/burglar who was hiding in someone’s home.
Can you give us a rough estimate of your location so we can add this to our neighborhood communications? For example, “5400 block of Wallingford.” We’re all on high alert around here, both day (drug dealing) and night (burglaries and theft).
This is getting ridiculous. This wonderful, usually safe neighborhood has a very seedy element going on in it right now. Walking from my office near Dick’s to the QFC or the bank I am usually hit up for money 3-5 times round trip. My wife often feels uncomfortable walking from her bus stop on 45th to our house on 51st. Between drive-by robberies and a break-in/attempted in rape in the U district over the weekend, burglaries EVERYWHERE, a KC Metro police officer being stabbed last week, and the usual rif-raf floating around, something has got to give. I know the last few weeks have been remarkably worse than normal, but I’ve lived and worked here for a decade now and it’s become noticeably worse over the last few years. Oh, and LOCK YOUR DAMNED DOORS AT NIGHT PEOPLE.
I just found this blog. We were burgled sometime during the day on a saturday in mid Dec. They pried open a side window and used the neighbors lawn chairs to crawl in. Just stole a bunch of cash and coin jar coins but did go through all our dresser drawers. Sad to see this is still happening in the ‘hood’. 51st and Wallingford Ave N
Welcome to Wallyhood, JC. Glad your losses were minimal.
Years ago when cars had radios and before all the cars in East Wallingford had their car radios stolen, we had a working block watch of people who took turns staying up for parts of the night, keeping an eye out. Is it possible that some Wallingford folks who do not have to keep to a rigid sleeping schedule could keep an eye out? Even as simple as looking out the windows if one gets up to pee in the wee smalls . . . seems like a similar hyper-vigilant system has thwarted the front porch package snatching . . .
Another break-in near Tangletown this afternoon
C&P from my email on segnest google group;
There’s no doubt that there is a lot of drug activity in our neighborhood. Most of the drug traffic I’m able to chase off from 52nd & Meridian area heads toward Tangletown. This entire area is a safe haven for dealers as most people are not aware of their ways or don’t want to get involved for a variety of reasons. The drug dealing in our neighborhood is at an epidemic level, whether we choose to see it or not. By choosing not to get involved, this other activity will no doubt increase.
One of the more prominent dope dealings happens when the buyer waits for the seller on foot or in their car. As the seller drives up , the buyer will get in and go for a slow short drive, then the buyer is let out to walk back to their car and leave. Because this is next to impossible for police to catch, this will take personal involvement…SAFELY.
Steve
Sometime in the wee hours of Sunday night, Monday morning someone attempted to break into the OmCulture building on 35th and Bagley. Fortunately, they were unable to crowbar the lock, but they did pry off the lock box with a key in it. We have replaced the lock and will soon be installing a security system. Sigh…
Thank you Wallyhood for keeping us informed and connected — there is strength in community!
E30 Memorial: Do you have any details on the T-town incident this afternoon? Where, when, occupied, unoccupied?
As described in E30’s post, people are driving into our neighborhood to purchase drugs. We have witnessed it numerous times in broad daylight literally right outside our door, and we have not only taken pictures, but I have gone outside and made eye contact with the buyer and the seller. Unfortunately, the activity continues, unabated.
In particular, I ask that all of you in and around T-town watch for what I believe is a gold, 2000 (est.) Oldsmobile Alero 4-door sedan (or something very similar) with very darkly tinted windows. In fact the windows are so darkly tinted that is is nearly impossible to see the driver inside. I have not been able to get a clear look at the license plate other than to see that it is a Washington plate. This is the dealer’s car, and as mentioned by E30, he or she comes into the ‘hood, picks up the buyer, circles the block, and then drops the buyer back off at or near the same location.
If you see this activity, call 9-1-1. Patrols are governed by the number of calls received. The more you call, the more likely it is that add’l resources will be dedicated to our neighborhood by SPD. Oh, and be vigilent. Nothing deters crime like a watchful neighborhood.
As a woman who lives alone (with my large dog) and in a secluded ground floor apartment, this is very disconcerting, though I’m diligent about keeping my doors and windows locked. I just want to mention that I often walk my dog at night near the little park on Eastern, between 41st and Pacific. I often see people waiting in their parked cars with their lights off, next to the park, and shady characters hanging out there in the dark.
I think the police will help develop a block watch program. It is great neighbors are talking to each other. Maybe someone would be kind enough to walk with the woman and her dog sometimes?
Robberies–when someone is home–are worse, even, than burglaries, though both are scary and damaging.
Let’s stick together.
JAC
From segnest googlegroup;
On Mar 6, 2012, at 1:16 PM
“Excitement on Canfield a few minutes ago when, after lots of sirens and a police car racing down the street I heard pounding down the side of the house. Police were chasing a guy and downed him in the neighbors driveway. The guy was high on something and raving. More police running this way and soon a fire engine and aid car. I gather that he had broken into an apartment near Tangletown along with a blond female ( who they told me they also caught). That’s all I know. They took him away in the aid car. He also had a warrant out.”
One of the cars that the buyers have been getting into is a gold colored Chevy Impala similar to your description. After confronting several of his buyers, I haven’t seen him for several months.
I gave up calling 911 because of the intentional delays and harassment from the 911 operators, although the local police are more than interested and do the best they can.
Steve
I’m glad community members are talking, too. Judy, thanks for the thought, but I didn’t mean to imply I needed back-up while walking my dog. I’m not at all afraid with him by my side…merely wanted to point out a location that people may want to be aware of, if they’re not already.
Not sure if this is relevant enough, but just in case: last weekend, we noticed some odd debris by our doorstep. Someone had smashed open a locking plastic filing box, and left the pieces. There was nothing in the box other than some empty files, a copy of “Who Moved My Cheese?”, and an instruction manual for the safe. I’m not sure if it was the product of a robbery or just someone digging through the trash, but it was a bit weird to find. We’re at the south end, by the traffic light at 34th and Wallingford.
I’ve lived in my Wallingford house since 1996 and so far my house had an attempted burglary @ 10 PM but my security system audible alarm scared him off. My car has been broken into twice and I thwarted a robber’s attempt on my neighbor’s house in broad daylight. On two different occasions, I had the Fire department shake down drugged out people in my front yard. The DEA staked out and raided using heavy weapons a drug house a block down that none of the neighbors knew existed. All this occurring on a quite street – Bagley Ave, south of 45th. We live in the city so crime will happen and it’s on the rise. If the community is more vigilant AND the 911 operators dispatch police when you report suspicious behavior hopefully we can minimize crime in our neighborhood. I highly recommend a security system and use it all the time!
I had my car broken into Monday evening–back window smashed and the only thing taken from my vehicle was a bag of clothes I was planning on donating to Goodwill. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for 7 years and have never been concerned in the past about crime, etc., but will definitely be more intentional about looking out for suspicious activities.
There’s also this alert that came out this week: http://www.q13fox.com/community/wamostwanted/featuredcases/kcpq-20120227,0,764788.story.
I’ve noticed (often) transaction-like stuff in the parking lot of the Big Cactus Taco Time parking lot after hours. It’s almost predictable. Tonight at that intersection while dog-walking, saw 4-5 silhouettes that dispersed when they were about to approach me as they headed north toward 46th. One friendly on his own, open jacket, no hat, said Hi. About 10 yards behind him was a slight white male, visor hat on and leather jacket, silvery pants, walking Very Fast, holding a plastic bag cinched at the top. He didn’t look up, turned west onto 46th. The other two weren’t visible by the time we’d walked 10 feet farther. Might be worth noting that I stood tall when I saw them all at a distance, feeling like my dog and I can take ’em on, the basterds. Our garage was burgled last week, and I’m past the vulnerable stage and now pissed off. fwiw, I do NOT feel like this is a problem with our Wallingford homeless, or car-sleeping, population, whose faces and stories many of us know as neighbors… but bad-drug-related. I’ve picked up (& thrown away) 2 hypodermic needles in 3 days this month from the park just above the Meridian side staircase, not in the brush but on the trail toddlers take going to school. Never seen that before. I agree with other posters above… the best thing we have going for our safety is communication. That said: the relationships in my neighborhood are amazingly good for blocks around, but it didn’t prevent our garage being burgled.
Saturday morning before last, my daughter and I were up at 3:30 watching TV on our laptops (bad bonding activity, but wth). I noticed two guys across the street starting to break into our neighbor’s car. My phone was not in the room with me, so I jumped up, opened our front door, and stood on my front porch with my arms crossed. They ran away. Then my daughter berated me for not calling 911 instead. She was absolutely right, but I was stinkin’ mad. I do regret not calling 911. I should have, even after the fact, but I had no description other than 2 caucasian males, taller than me, but shorter than Jeremy Lin.
Please accept my apologies, Wallingford. And please don’t tell me what I already know about the stupidity of my reaction. I will call 911 next time. And there will be a next time. DD and I stayed up nearly all night last Friday, too, keeping the neighborhood safe and watching Korean dramas online. We are kind of enjoying the absurdity of it.
I did the 4am-6am shift this morning, signed off when neighbor interior lights started to go on as parts of the block woke up.
@psh I heard some weird banging sounds but couldn’t identify them at 2am one night last summer. The next day I heard (here) that a neighbor’s house had been broken into. I felt awful, and promise to call 911 next time, too.
I live in the 3800 block of Interlake. Some time approx. 2 weeks ago someone stole a couple of power tools from my unlocked detached garage. They even took the padlock that was rusted open (maybe to keep me from locking it so they could return?) Not a huge loss, but I feel violated.
Lock your stuff up, people!
about 30 min ago 2 police cars and 2 fire/aid cars were at RAW,What was it?
What is RAW?
the old 7-11 which has Bill the Butcher and I thought a take out food place called RAW
ZAW Pizza. Per the Real-Time 911 Dispatch website, it was a medic response.
Thanks, Sally!
I don’t know if this will bring an end to the recent rash of burglaries and robberies and car prowls, but it is very good news: http://seati.ms/xxMda6
Looks like they might have caught a perpetrator:
http://today.seattletimes.com/2012/03/sources-police-arrest-suspected-north-end-burglar/
Annoyingly, I must have left my car unlocked on purpose last night and someone went through the car looking for stuff. I believe all they took was my son’s DVDs. The person left behind a pair of pink sunglasses with glitter on parts of it. I’m guessing someone just looking for cash. 38 block on Eastern, near the little park someone mentioned above. Hard to not feel all paranoid now!
Woke up Thursday morning to find my car had vanished from where I parked it the night before. Thought I was still dreaming. I had parked my car on Evanston Ave. near N. 46th St. under a street light, next to a house, parallel parked in between 2 cars, with my Club securing it. I keep nothing valuable in my car, and normally park on this street, like all the other people in my apt bldg and neighborhood. After walking a few blocks radius around where I had parked the night before and still no sign of my car, I seriously almost had a panic attack. The impound lot had no record of it, either and I reported the theft to the police.
2 years ago, this same car, had been stolen when I lived in Belltown. This, I can understand. I had no Club/ or anti-theft device guarding it, and I was living in shady Belltown. Remarkably, the car was recovered, repaired, and I had my wheels back. I promptly bought the Club which I have used religiously since.
Was relieved to move to the Fremont/ Wallingford neighborhood about a year and a half ago to escape the grittiness of the city. I moved about 4 blocks from the zoo in a neighborhood that is residential, full of families, quiet, and appears to be safe.
I dunno if it was the full moon or the solar storm this week, but there’s been a lot of bad energy going on with the recent rash of burglaries, robberies, break-ins, attempted assaults (U-dist. rapist break-in, WTF?!) etc. Just when you think you are living in a safe area, it doesn’t feel that way anymore. It breaks my trust.
Glad to see we have some vigilant neighbors here. Does anyone know about any block watch meetings in the area?
Seems like most of the neighbors on my block have their porchlights off tonight. Seems strange to me, with this activity in our neighborhood. Maybe there’s a reason behind it that I don’t know? I’ve been leaving more lights ON.
Has anyone had someone trying to sell home security systems show up asking when you are or aren’t home to set up a meeting to discuss it? Happened to us today. Seemed suspicious, especially because the website on the business card does not work (as we thought). Also tried to drop names of neighbors saying they had set up a meeting already. Doubt that. Maybe it’s overkill, but we called to report it. Has anyone had this experience?
Last night at roughly 9;45 there was what sounded like 2 gunshots at Wallingford Playfield. Within a couple minutes I saw a man running at top speed down 43rd towards Stone Way. I called the police, but don’t know what happened after that. Did anyone else hear anything? All this crime is freaking me out.
A bit of good news:
http://today.seattletimes.com/2012/03/suspect-arrested-in-north-seattle-burglaries/
same here yani. I heard nothing and live pretty close. I am more concerned personally with my late night neighbors’ vomiting on the overhead balcony at 2 am.
This mornings Times reports that an 18 yr old ‘man’ named Maxfield Dare was arrested for the theft of our neighbors Audi among lots of similar crimes in the area. The article mentions he has a significant juvenile record. I suspect a whole bunch of those earlier arrests were for tagging his name all over Wallingford and the U District.
Kudos to SPD! Now it would be really nice if the justice system took note of the trend in this kids life and supported police efforts with some meaningful consequences.
Thanks, Iyqtoo! Here’s the link:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017752602_burglar15m.html
Found this entry after getting acquainted with the blog. I’m moving from Northgate/Maple Leaf to Wallingford and am looking forward to so many things about this neighborhood … except for, apparently, that I will be a single female with a brave (but somewhat defenseless) house cat living alone in a first-floor unit. Tips for my first few days, aside from make sure to introduce myself to my neighbors *and* start using the club I’ve had buried under my passenger seat since I moved up from Tacoma four years ago?
find out who is a block watch leader
keep area clan, trimmed etc, garden, reccle.. landlords often need help
be somewhat visible
leave lights on sometimes
park car with nothing stored in it in a place with lights
and realize that although we have tis thread.. many live here and have been never personally affected by crime
there is safety here
ther eis also randomness
Hey Coolio, Do you happen to be related to coco and/or locoloco?
City has a map of criminal behavior.. may help you determine what actions to take. Some pockets of W/Fr are more or less affected by crime.
silly sally: Link?
http://web5.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx
This was terribly difficult to find. But here it is.
The reports are for a week only