Police this afternoon are notifying local block watch captains that burglars today and Monday entered three neighborhood homes while the occupants were inside.
Two of the homes are in Maple Leaf, the other in Green Lake. All three occurred in the early morning hours.
One of the victims appears to have posted on our Facebook Page. He’s at Northeast 81st Street and Fourth Avenue Northeast. Update: The other was at Northeast 82nd Street and Third Avenue Northeast. (Grace emails to say: “Just a note, there is no 3rd Ave NE. It’s Latona Ave NE.”)
In addition, Mike posted today in the comments on Monday’s “car vandalized” post this additional information: “Two other vehicles were stolen (80th and 4th AVE NE, and 3rd AVE NE and 82nd). Does anybody have information on either of these incidents? Both are showing on the Seattle crime map and occurred in the last 24 hours . . . .”
This is from Terrie Johnson, police crime prevention coordinator. Her phone number at the North Precinct is 206-684-7711.
It appears that the victims in all cases believed that they may have left their doors unlocked. Wallets, cash, credit cards, purse, Nook and car keys were taken.
Subsequently, the victims’ cars were also stolen. Unfortunately, in one of the stolen vehicles, the victim reported leaving his cell phone, wallet (social security card inside); and expensive ski equipment.
Our Burglary/Theft detectives are working closely with Patrol officers on evidence collection and our Crime Analysis Detective is studying reports for other leads.
In the meantime, please be diligent about using the locks and latches you have. Rethink your habit of putting your purse/wallet and car keys on the table upon entering your home. If you hear or see anything suspicious, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.
I am available to conduct free home security surveys if you want to look at what improvements could be made from a burglary prevention standpoint. We still recommend leaving your front porch light on from dusk until dawn.
Our Jeep was stolen for the SECOND time in TEN weeks. We don’t have the luruxy of a garage or well-lit area and were given conflicting information about anti-theft devices from our insurance company and police officers. The first time, I was sad to have something we’d worked so hard to buy get stolen, along with the personal items we’d made the mistake of leaving in the vehicle (bike, camping gear, etc.). The second time, nothing personal was taken, but upon the return of our car, I was quasi-expecting a repeat theft given the frequency with which Jeeps are stolen in this town. Owners can do their part by protecting their cars to the best of their abilities, but what is the city doing to decrease this invasive and reckless crime? We’re beginning to feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day.
We live on 85th and 4th. We had our car stolen last April, from in front of our house. Our neighbor had her car stolen last August or September – her car was also locked. That car, however was found – it was involved in another crime. Found inside that car was various weapons. I don’t know if that car thief was found. Also, our neighbor had his car stolen about a year ago – also on 85th and 4th. And sometime in the past, our next door neighbor had their car stolen as well.
The officer we talked to said there were a lot of car thefts in our neighborhood. Don’t leave anything in your car!
I hope they sneak into my house. I’m a light sleeper, and I keep my 12 gauge handy and I could use some excitement this boring winter.
@Rachael: Thanks. I would have more also, but my one 85 pounder in my little Seattle bungalow is enough for me right now 🙂
@Wendy: Very good point! Yes, we definitely need more responsible dog owners.
@MapleLeafBob Great suggestion, but I’d ask that anybody that is considering adopting a dog, please also consider taking one of the inexpensive dog training courses offered at Phinney Ridge Community Center. That way you can not only be a dog owner, but a responsible dog owner. We don’t really need more people leaving their dogs in their yards, 24 hours a day, barking all the time. 🙂
MapleLeafBob – that’s a great idea! And a very well placed sugestion!! Props to u my friend! I hope someone takes u up on that, I would but I already have three lol
There are tons of lonely grown up dogs at shelters and rescue places that are probably already potty trained that would really help to deter or even prevent these types of break ins. They don’t have to be mean dogs, just alert dogs that bark.
Just a thought for a potential win-win option that would help the home owner and give the pup a home.
Mine was the house on N.E. 82nd. Back door maybe locked but not shut completely tightly. Crafty crooks rifled though coat pockets to find car keys to take the car. It’s a gray Mazda3 hatchback with a white “devil duck” on the dash (when I last saw it). Locking file box in the back. If you find any strange paperwork in your yard, please post and I will follow up….
The hell with calling anybody. I find them in my home they are DEAD! As in dead, dead, dead, dead! And like Walt Kowalski – I’ll set the gun down and sleep like a baby.
kind of amazing to me that someone would leave skis, wallet and phone in a car, nevermind not locking your house at night….just sayin’
Steal my gym bag. I double-dog dare ya.
Wow…now we have to be careful where one puts their keys and purse in their own home!
I don’t see it on the SPD crime map, but our neighbors across the street car was broken into Sun night (84th & 8th), they took his gym bag of dirty clothes.
Don’t leave anything in your car, not even dirty laundry!
This makes me want to buy a hand gun…Crazy.