Police hope victims will spot stolen loot

Been the victim of a burglary or a car prowl in Seattle or Bellevue in recent months? Then come on down, say Seattle police, who are asking theft victims to review photos of hundreds of stolen items in an effort to return the loot to its owners.

Seattle police say much of the property was seized during the execution of multiple search warrants early last month and that the recovery of the stolen items was connected to an investigation by the Major Crimes Task Force into pawnshops that were buying items from people who had been placed on a "Do Not Buy" list.

The list, which is circulated by police, includes the names of known thieves.

The search warrants were executed between Dec. 2 and 11, and police seized hundreds of items, including laptop computers, iPods, tools and even license plates. Since then, officers have been processing, cataloging and photographing the more than 500 items recovered, said Seattle Police Department spokeswoman Renee Witt.

According to Witt, the task force uncovered a crime organization that involved at least 11 burglary, car-theft and car-prowl suspects in Seattle and Bellevue. Witt said detectives believe the crime ring may have hit other areas as well.

The recovered items can be viewed in a photo gallery on The Seattle Times Web site or in person at the Seattle Police Department's South, North or West precincts during regular business hours. Seattle police hope to have the photos up on their Web site — www.cityofseattle.net/Police/ — by the end of today.

By 4 p.m. on Tuesday, desk officers at the three precincts said they already had fielded hundreds of phone calls about the stolen items.

At the West Precinct, a line of people waited to view a compact disc containing photos of the stolen items.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said she had been held up at gunpoint by two men on Nov. 17 near the intersection of East Pike Street and 16th Avenue. She was looking for her purse, but didn't find it.

"I didn't think it would be there, but I had to try," she said.

To claim the property, victims must have filed a police report. In addition, victims must have proof of ownership, such as a purchase receipt, serial number or owner-applied identification number.

If an item is identified, citizens are asked to call a special message line at 206-684-4381. Victims should leave their name, case number, a description of the stolen item and the item number from the photo they viewed.

Witt warns that people should call the precinct before stopping by to ensure that the discs are available.

The addresses and phone numbers for the three police precincts are:

• South Precinct: 3001 S. Myrtle St.; 206-386-1850.

• West Precinct: 810 Virginia St.; 206-684-8917.

• North Precinct: 10049 College Way N.; 206-684-0850.

A map of the police precincts is also available on the department's Web site.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983