A serial burglar or burglars is targeting dental and medical offices in north Seattle, taking drugs and dental gold, including gold crowns, according to Seattle Police. One burglary netted $10,000 in scrap gold.
Since the beginning of September, roughly 30-35 overnight burglaries have been reported, most north of downtown, but there may be others in West Seattle and Bellevue that could be connected, Seattle Police spokesman Mark Jamieson said this morning.
The most recent burglary reported happened two nights ago at a medical clinic in the 400 block of North 85th Street.
“They seem to be medical or dental offices. Other than that, there’s no pattern. Once the suspects break into the place, they will take whatever. Sometimes it’s drugs, sometimes it’s gold,” Jamieson said. “They are breaking into places that are alarmed and that doesn’t seem to be a deterrent.”
Prescription narcotics have been taken as well as 2-3 ounces of gold dental crowns from one office and roughly $2,000 worth of generic dental gold from another.
Crime prevention coordinators have been contacting area businesses, asking them to be vigilant and to ensure valuables are safely secured, Jamieson said. Extra officers have been assigned to emphasis patrols and stakeouts of likely targets.
Anyone with information related to these crimes is encouraged to call the North Precinct burglary line at (206) 684-5735.
Update 4:30 p.m.: Our colleagues at the West Seattle Blog report that West Seattle has seen three break-ins similar to the North Seattle incidents, and that three people were detained early this morning after being seen acting suspiciously around a West Seattle dental office. Sgt. Jeff Durdan told WSB that all three are considered “persons of interest” in the burglaries.
Some of the burglaries include:
First week of September
8000 block of 35th Avenue NE. Nothing taken.
4400 block of 38th Avenue NE. $25 petty cash.
Second week of September
10100 block of 5th Avenue NE. $10,000 in scrap gold.
8000 block of 15th Avenue NW
1400 block of NW 85th Street
5800 block 58th Avenue NW
3200 block of NE 125th Street
13300 block of 1st Avenue NE
Third week of September
7500 block of 15th Avenue NW
7000 block of 15th Avenue NW
Fourth week of September
7100 block of Greenwood Avenue N
8500 block of Greenwood Avenue N
2200 block of North 56th Street
4700 block of Midvale Avenue N
Police would only provide the 100 block in which the crimes occurred.
9 responses so far ↓
1 Stupid Hippie // Oct 14, 2009 at 9:06 am
Times are tough, I blame Bush.
2 tw78 // Oct 14, 2009 at 9:17 am
wondering if mentioning that 10K in gold is possible to find at a dental office is something that should be advertised…
3 Judy // Oct 14, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I am surprised that all dental and medical offices do not have a monitored alarm. http://www.homesecurityalarms.net or http://www.freealarm.org both offer free alarm systems, with competitive monitoring prices.
4 Lake City // Oct 14, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Just check out the few places where you can sell scrap gold and watch for tweakers.
5 Neighbor // Oct 14, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I live a few doors away from a dental office. About a week ago, I found an opened box of dental x-ray probe sheaths (plastic sleeves about the size of a 12″ ruler) on my front curb. I wondered at the time if someone might have broken into the dentist’s office down the street and for reasons unknown walked off with the box and then, realizing it had no value, dumped it. Very strange. The office in question is not among those listed here.
6 john walker // Oct 14, 2009 at 2:09 pm
alarm company response time to send out a private door shaker guy is about 45 minutes. same as the police. most alarm companies use private security contractors rather than the police. we’re on our own folks.
7 Angie // Oct 14, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I would suggest looking at drug and equipment suppliers. Is there an anesthetic that all of the doctors/dentists who were robbed use? Or maybe the X-Ray machines are all delivered by the same guy. Who knows? Worth looking into, IMHO.
8 Queenie // Oct 15, 2009 at 11:31 am
KING TV reprinted your article and I’ll tell youw hat I told them - 5800 58th NW would be in Shilshole Bay - I think you need to correct that address.
9 Queenie // Oct 15, 2009 at 12:45 pm
KING TV used your material verbatim, including the 5800 58th NW address identified as one of the thefts. The westernmost street 58th could possibly cross is 37th NW - so that address has to be wrong. Needs to be fixed.
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