Two different car thefts and a late-night prowling event occurred last week on the island, all happening within days of each other. In both cases of car thefts, the vehicles were found on Vashon and returned to their owners.

John Coghlan, who lives on the north end of the island, had his 2017 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck stolen from his driveway on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Coghlan said he received an outpouring of sympathy from fellow islanders concerning the theft of his vehicle, which he reported to the King County Sheriff’s Office. However, Coghlan also felt that more should be done for those who have experienced thefts.

“[We] should have more resources and attention toward protecting private property,” Coghlan said.

The vehicle was later recovered, and was found in the parking lot of Vashon Cohousing on Tuesday, Feb. 1 — the same night it was taken. A friend notified Coghlan that his truck was in the lot on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 3, and they picked it up later that night. There was no damage to the vehicle.

Another vehicle was also reported stolen from SW Quartermaster Drive on Monday, Jan. 31. According to King County Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement Specialist Manny Apostol Jr., the stolen vehicle was found unoccupied on SW Bachelor Road on Tuesday, Feb. 1. No arrests were made and the vehicle was released back to its rightful owner.

The Beachcomber contacted the vehicle’s owner, who declined to comment.

On the same day, Tuesday, Feb. 1, islander Dinah Lindberg Helgeson had a prowler come to the front porch of her home on SW Bachelor Road at around 2:15 a.m. The individual, who was wearing a distinctive fur coat, was seen on Helgeson’s Ring security system. According to Helgeson, this is the second time in several years her home has been prowled. She didn’t know if anything was taken on Feb. 1, but it appeared that the person was “just looking for things,” said Helgeson.

Helgeson also said she thinks she was able to scare off the individual by yelling through her Ring system. She also called the police, who responded to her home within 15 to 20 minutes. She described the police response as being “fabulous,” and commended the greater community for their response after the event.

“The support from this community has been unbelievable,” said Helgeson.

However, Helgeson reported that she has spotted the same individual who prowled her home at the Tahlequah ferry dock parking lot. She said she called the King County Sheriff’s non-emergency line, but was told by the police that they could not respond because nothing from her house had been stolen.