Man arrested after string of thefts at gas stations

A man accused of grabbing valuables out of multiple vehicles while drivers were pumping gas has been arrested.

File photo of Safeway gas station at 15th Ave NW & NW 85th St.

According to SeattleCrime.com, the 44 year-old snatched purses and wallets with credit cards, drivers licenses and prescription glasses, while the driver was distracted. The website cites the police reports and says security cameras caught the man at the Safeway gas station at 15th & 85th on May 14th at 7:15 in the morning. Later the same day cameras caught him twice doing the same thing at the Safeway at 15th & Market.

Police tracked the suspect down the next day driving a 2004 Chevy Classic wearing the same clothing as in the videos. According to SeattleCrime.com, “Police found numerous ID and credit cards on the man belonging to the victims and arrested him.” You can read more about this crime spree here.

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10 thoughts to “Man arrested after string of thefts at gas stations”

  1. I see people walk away from their cars all the time at the pumps and always think that they’re being dumb by leaving their car unlocked. This guy was also pretty dumb as gas stations always have cameras these days to catch the people who try to pump and run.

  2. Ah, yes, I can see how the “walk away” scenario would play out. I must be taking the article to literally. “driver was distracted” to me is different than “driver left car”

  3. Let’s keep him locked up this time — “Jail records indicate the man has already been released from the King County Jail, where he has been booked three times since October.”

  4. From seattlecrime.com:

    “On the way to the precinct, the man told officers “that he was down on his luck and lamented how ashamed his family was going to be of him.”

    Right. Down on his luck. Remember that phrase the next time you hear it tossed about.

    It’s so sad that he has to suffer because his family might be ashamed of him. How unfair the world is.

  5. Competition must be tough at off-ramps. Wonder if thought of, oh I don’t know, getting a job? And aren’t there a freaking gazillion agencies around here to assist one? Hasn’t there been extension after extension of unemployement “benifits” also? This is another stimulus plan I don’t believe in. Didn’t work either. This guys is on the catch and release program though!

  6. WTF is wrong with you people? ‘Down on one’s luck’ translates to ‘entitled to another’s property?’

    Fvck Seattle.

    I’m so glad I moved to NYC ( a real city) where theiveing bums aren’t cuddled. Here, they’re shamed and beaten. Just like they should be.

    Rock on losers!

  7. As much as I love Ballard, one of the greatest things after moving away after all these years is that I can finally relax and live life without this constant vigilance against scumbags like this. It was absolutely liberating.

  8. QADad-No offense but, you can have your crowded, angry, over amped up NYC. (To each his own I guess..) I’d rather deal with my crime in the green, fresh air of the NW! I do agree; beat-a-bitches-ass on this guy and all perps for that matter! Seattle police and justice will have to learn the ropes on how to deal with this inevitability; crime is going to get worse. Seattle hasn’t had to deal with this massive growth in crime and types of crime. Gangs will be rearing up hard and strong in Seattle and Tacoma like never before too! i.e.; random shootings and gang initiations. Ugh. Lots of criminals are using the “bad economy” as an excuse too. Lame!

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