West Seattle residents are feeling the sting after a recent spike in secured parking garage crimes. These crimes included car prowls and bicycle thefts - most commonly in the Alaska Junction neighborhood. Parking garages are often prime locations for a variety of crimes due to their limited visibility. There are also few people in parking garages, giving thieves greater opportunity to steal car parts of bicycles. The Seattle Police Department is cracking down on these crimes in those neighborhoods.

Bicycle Theft and Car Prowls in Seattle

What is a car prowl? A car prowl is different from auto theft. When someone steals an entire car, it is considered auto theft. A car prowl is the unlawful taking of motor vehicle contents or parts. This often includes laptops, computers, car stereos, and other expensive aftermarket parts that can be resold quickly.

In cycling-friendly cities like Seattle, bicycle thefts are unfortunately common, especially during COVID-19. An increased demand for bikes, empty premises, and fewer bystanders have made thieves bolder during the pandemic. Bicycle thefts occur at an alarming rate even when residents properly lock up their bikes. Unmonitored storage unit locks and cheap bicycle locks can be broken in a matter of minutes.

Washington Laws on Misdemeanor and Felony Theft

If you are arrested and charged with a theft crime, such as bicycle theft or car theft, it is important to understand how serious these charges can be. Washington’s theft laws cover a wide range of property crimes and these crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies. When you steal another person’s property, you are committing theft. (Wash. Rev. Code §§ 9A.04.110; 9A.56.010, .020 (2020).) The severity of the theft offense depends on the value of the stolen property and whether there was a firearm or weapon involved in the crime.

Theft in the Third Degree or Misdemeanor Theft

• Stolen property of $750 or less
• Up to 364 days in jail
• $5,000 in fines

Theft in the Second Degree or Class C Felony Theft

• Stolen property valued between $750 and $5,000
• Up to 5 years in prison
• $10,000 in fines

Theft in the First Degree or Class B Felony Theft

• Stolen property over $5,000
• Up to 20 years in prison
• $20,000 in fines

Some modern-day road bikes can easily cost over $5,000. So stealing a bike may result in serious penalties and consequences. For this reason, you need an experienced and skilled Seattle criminal defense lawyer on your side. These are serious charges and should not be taken lightly.

Contact Our Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you are facing serious criminal charges, we can help. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers make the process easy and painless for our clients. We handle everything from interrogations to court appearances.

At Lewis & Laws, PLLC, we have defended clients in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our confidential contact form. Call us today!