New apartment complex looted
A recently-opened apartment complex on the 4600 block of 36th Ave S.W. was burgled overnight between Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, and the crooks made away with a lot of loot. It appeared unknown suspect(s) broke into the building through a service door in the shared alleyway with a retirement community. Once inside, they broke into the main office and stole the master keys (which would open every door in the complex, forcing the owner to rekey the entire building), tenant records (including social security numbers), and several Visa gift cards. Once done with the office, the burglars moved into the common areas, stealing furniture and electronics. A dolly/cart was found in the parking garage below, indicating the thieves may have loaded up a vehicle with large items before making their getaway. Police were busy checking nearby surveillance footage and talking with residents of the retirement community for clues in the case.
False friend
A man called police on Dec. 5 to report he was burglarized by a woman he thought was a new friend. The victim met a woman in treatment (specific type not listed) and said they spent an afternoon together. When he stepped out of his car for an unknown errand she stayed with the vehicle. When he came back outside she was gone, along with his $20. He checked his cell phone and discovered the woman had used it to call a cab. By the time he arrived home to his apartment on the 5400 block of 25th Ave S.W., he discovered someone had burglarized his place as well. He believed the woman stole from him for the sake of drug money.
Cigarette theft leads to melee
The employee at a convenience store on the 8900 block of 14th Ave S. in South Park reported that on Dec. 9 two young males walked in shortly after 10 p.m. One of them came up to the counter and asked the employee questions while his buddy reached around the back and grabbed three cartons of cigarettes. The smoke thief ran out of the store, but his friend working the distraction was not as quick. The victim was able to grab him “with a bear hug style around both of his legs,” rendering the suspect immovable. The cigarette thief, realizing his friend was caught, returned and started kicking the clerk in the arm, shoulder and back until he released his grip. The victim declined medical attention and said the cartons were worth close to $300.00.
Guns stolen from home
A man discovered three firearms and ammunition were stolen from his basement on 39th Ave S.W. sometime from Dec. 1 to Dec. 4. Someone got into the home through unknown means and stole two .22 caliber rifles and one pump shotgun from a gun locker. The victim said several much more expensive firearms were left in the locker, and nothing else was stolen.
Robberies by block: 2800 Alki Ave S.W., 2600 S.W. Barton St.
Burglaries by block: 11400 Marine View Dr. S.W., 5200 40th Ave S.W., 9200 23rd Ave S.W.
Car prowls by block: 2300 California Ave S.W., 1600 Harbor Ave S.W., 2300 42nd Ave S.W., 8600 Fauntleroy Way S.W., 3500 S.W. Cambridge St., 9200 25th Ave S.W.
Vehicle thefts by block: 7500 14th Ave S.W., 8100 11th Ave S.W., 9400 23rd Ave S.W., 5600 Fauntleroy Way S.W., corner of 17th Ave S.W./S.W. Myrtle St., 7100 32nd Ave S.W., 6700 34th Ave S.W., 6300 23rd Ave S.W., 7500 46th Ave S.W., 9200 15th Ave S.W., corner of 35th Ave S.W./S.W. Avalon Way, 2600 S.W. Barton St., 5200 16th Ave S.W.
