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Auto Theft Introduction. Introduction: Current Auto Theft Squad roster : Sergeant Debbie Backstrom Detectives: Hiro Yamashita Mannie Quinonez Dan Kirchmeier Michelle Barker ASA 2 Tracey Puffer . Crime Focus - Auto Theft (5 Min). Auto Theft Trends Lesson Learned
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Auto Theft Introduction • Introduction: Current Auto Theft Squad roster: Sergeant Debbie Backstrom Detectives: Hiro Yamashita Mannie Quinonez Dan Kirchmeier Michelle Barker ASA 2 Tracey Puffer
Crime Focus - Auto Theft (5 Min) • Auto Theft Trends • Lesson Learned • Auto Theft Screenings • Chop Shops and Drop Locations • Pro Active Investigations
Auto Theft Number compiled from GO Events; As reported by T Puffer (Averages above .5 are rounded up) *Percent of change calculated from actual number of incidents not the averages
Auto Theft Trends • Vehicle Thefts of any vehicle started with “jiggler” key. Involved vehicles are: Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Saab, Nissan • Vehicle’s recovered with stolen items from burglaries, car prowls, and mail theft • Subaru Legacy station wagon is a favorite • Vehicle’s stolen with keys. Warming up in wintertime (“Puffer”), Valet, Burglary, Keys left in vehicle (spare key or construction worker to ease movement), unattended keys • Rise in License plate thefts. Caused by use of ALPR. Switch from unsuspecting owner of similar vehicle. Unknown victim until contact from police. • Returning with stolen keys at another time
Lessons Learned • Efficient use of personnel. Use of Master cases to consolidate cases. Fingerprint cases • Marginal arrest cases, does not meet KCPA guidelines-no evidence of theft • Working with Burglary Theft Squads and outside agencies. • Recent Bellevue PD information sharing of Kyle D, a suspect who victimized both cities. • Share information via Criminal information Bulletins, Homicide Investigation Tracking (HITS State Attorney General), Burglary Auto Theft (BAT list).
Auto Theft Screenings • Continue with screening. New SPD protocol regarding the theft of vehicles by known suspect, often a family member or ex spouse. • Craigslist Investigations-usually not successful. • Civil Property Dispute between unmarried couples. Question of having a “tenable claim” to the vehicle • Officer safety issue, also relieves SPD from civil liability for false arrest. • Screenings take from one hour to several days • Number of screenings down due to effect of new SPD policy
Chop Shops & Drop Locations • Have worked a small chop shop in South Seattle. VIN switched vehicles. • Crime analysis has more information as to drop locations. • Due to the volume of reports it is difficult for Sergeant to see anything other than obvious patterns. • Patrol Officers
Pro Active Investigations • Above chop shop • Subaru thief and narcotics user. Worked with Bellevue PD. • Has sold 12 stolen cars to scrap yards since 2009. Filed with KCPA on three occasions. Catch 22, still no decision. • Bryan T • Allen B and Jason P F 7300 block 16 AVE SW. • Use of Major Crimes Task Force
Contact Numbers • Auto Theft Squad 206-684-8940 • Email: spdautotheft@seattle.gov • Sergeant Backstrom 206-684-8948 • Auto Theft Admin: T Puffer 206-684-4762