Green Lake Bartell Drugs Burglary Attempt Damages 14 Parked Cars

SEATTLE, WA — A chaotic, early morning burglary attempt at a Bartell Drugs in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood left a trail of destruction, causing heavy structural damage to the store's exterior wall and leaving 14 parked vehicles damaged.

According to the Seattle Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on August 22, 2024. Suspects driving two separate vehicles attempted to pull off a coordinated heist using a heavy metal chain. Their main objective was to rip open the storefront security gates and drag a safe out of the store.

Heavy Damage to Store and Vehicles

While the suspects succeeded in tearing down a significant portion of the business's exterior wall, their plan to make off with the safe ultimately failed. The force of the pull tore the wall apart, but the safe was left abandoned on the sidewalk as the burglars fled the scene empty-handed. Investigators believe the suspects realized the heist was botched and panicked, leaving behind the primary target of their break-in.

In their haste to escape, the suspects struck and damaged 14 cars parked in the 400 block of Northeast 71st Street. Neighbors woke up to the sound of grinding metal and crashing glass. Several vehicle owners found their cars dented, sideswiped, or with smashed windows.

Community and Business Impact

The extensive damage to the front of the Bartell Drugs store forced the business to halt general retail operations for the day. While customers were unable to enter the store to make general purchases, management confirmed that the pharmacy remained operational to ensure local residents could still access critical prescription medications.

Seattle police are reviewing surveillance footage from the store and surrounding businesses to identify the vehicles and suspects involved. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active.