An email alert from several Phinney neighbors reports that a young man driving a red Geo Prizm was driving around the traffic circle at NW 67th St. and 1st Ave. NW last Wednesday afternoon when two men walked in front of his car as if crossing the street, causing the car to stop. The men then quickly went to each side of the car and opened both the driver and passenger side doors. They cut the driver’s shirt and arm, forced him from his car, took his wallet and cell phone, then sped away down 1st Ave. NW.
Some neighbors drove up at that moment and helped the driver and called police.
This is the first carjacking we’ve heard of in the neighborhood, but other car crime seems to be rampant.
Andrea reports that a neighbor at NW 73rd St. and 1st Ave. NW had her car broken into two nights in a row, and we’ve heard numerous reports about other car prowls (our car was broken into recently also).
Let us know if you’ve been a victim or know of someone who has. Maybe neighbors will see a pattern in the type/locations of the crimes.
12 responses so far ↓
1 jm // Aug 11, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Thank you for posting this alert. Any description or age of the suspects?
2 rob // Aug 12, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I’ve had my car broken into at least four times over the eight years we lived on 58th. Most recently they stole my stereo, amp and subwoofer–I didn’t think anyone stole stereos anymore…
So far we haven’t had any problems down on 51st.
3 Linda // Aug 12, 2008 at 3:09 pm
This is CRAZY!!!
4 evan // Aug 12, 2008 at 9:49 pm
There have been a few thuggy types hanging around Cleopatra and 67th a few months ago - but I assume they were just kids. Maybe best to keep an eye on them from now on..
5 Carolyn // Aug 12, 2008 at 10:44 pm
We live on NW 73 between sycamore and 2nd - no break-ins but my neighbor saw two “thuggy types” walking up and down the street checking all the car doors to see if any were open - around midnight on Friday night.
6 jm // Aug 13, 2008 at 10:46 am
I wish people could give better descriptions of the suspects.
7 concerned // Aug 13, 2008 at 11:29 am
Security cams mounted on street light poles would eliminate car prowls and reduce home burlaries. These are crimes of opportunity. Increase the risk of getting caught and reduce the opportunity! The same is true for the rash of graffiti. The city has this technology, but deployment has been geared towards street light enforcement, which generates high revenue in automated tickets.
It only takes one or two active prowlers to terrorize a neighborhood. Install cameras and they’ll relocate their operations or find themselves behind bars. Even a network of wireless web cams patrolling the streets would be better than nothing.
In terms of the carjacking, the story seems suspicious. No witnesses, a youth victim, and a Geo Prism?
8 Stolen Truck // Aug 13, 2008 at 10:05 pm
My Chevy truck was stolen on Greenwood between 63rd and 62nd. It was recovered 24 hrs later in Everette stripped to the bone. SPD said our neighborhood is getting hit hard.
9 MonkeyPilot // Aug 14, 2008 at 9:04 am
Carolyn- if you can provide a description, you should call the police. A friend of ours had a car stolen out of the driveway on Monday (along 83rd st). Lock your doors and be alert!
10 DC // Aug 14, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Thanks, jm, I agree - please be more specific than “thuggy type”. Are we talking Mafia don thuggy type or in-da-hood thuggy type? Male, female, white, black, tall, short, what have you seen? I know it’s Phinney and we’re all sensitive to racial sterotyping- but “thuggy type” isn’t very helpful. More specific details are needed, please.
11 jm // Aug 17, 2008 at 9:38 am
Block watch groups can be effective in deterring crime.
12 Alison // Sep 15, 2008 at 11:13 am
About once every 6 weeks I call the adandoned vehicle hotline to report abandonded vehinles on my street. Just last week one was picked up and I’ll be calling on another one shortly. There are decently nice cars. The last one was a Volvo and this next one in a Land Rover. (For those who are wondering why I haven’t called on the Land Rover yet… I am waiting until the end of the week to verify that it does not belong to someone on our street)
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