Reports continue to come in from northeast Seattle neighborhoods, including Wedgwood, of car thefts, package thefts from porches and home break-ins. Crime patterns are shown on the City of Seattle’s neighborhood map (choose “northeast” to see the Wedgwood area.) Another good way to keep track of trends is on Nextdoor.
On Thursday, December 18, the following report came in on Nextdoor from a Wedgwood resident in the 8200 block of 41st Ave NE. Highlights of the report are: alert neighbors; that neighbors had contact info to call the homeowner and report suspicious activity; and the obtaining of a license plate number so that police can look for the suspects.
At 2:30 PM on Thursday, December 18, my across-the-street neighbor saw a strange car in front of my house and a strange man entering my backyard. She phoned me to confirm I did not have workmen scheduled at the house today. I did NOT.
My neighbor then stepped out in the street and photographed the auto (a tan Buick) WA License # ASB 5839.
The driver saw the neighbor taking photos and sped off, and must have alerted the second man in the back yard, but not before he had taken a shovel to attempt to pry open the locked french doors and then broke out a kitchen window. He must have been alerted by the driver as he thankfully did not enter the home.
The police were called and came within minutes.
Our COMMUNITY OF NEIGHBORS may be our best protection. I am GRATEFUL for my wonderful, alert neighbor who was able to ACT when she saw something out of the ordinary. Without her efforts I am convinced my home would have been ransacked this afternoon. I would have had much more to clean up than a bit of broken glass.
It should be noted that my neighbors on either side of my home plus across the street were at HOME when all this occurred in the space of about ten minutes. They did not see or hear anything.
Watch out for one another! Stay alert, know our neighbors and have contact info ready. I have lived in this home 31 years and have NEVER been burglarized (attempted or other). I have good locks and security, but they are not a match for someone who wants to break a window.
IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, CAR OR LICENSE, PLEASE CONTACT SEATTLE POLICE. AN INCIDENT REPORT HAS BEEN FILED. LET’S CATCH THESE GUYS!
Thank you for great neighbors who watch out for one another.