WS Crime Watch: Police manhunt for Morgan Junction-area burglar

Just off the phone with Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen, who we called to verify a few reports of a break-in early today in the Morgan Junction-area and questions about whether that case might be related to the South Park attacks. First of all – While there are rumors that the description of the burglar was close to that of the South Park killer, Lt. Paulsen stresses THEY ARE 98% CERTAIN IT’S NOT THE SAME MAN. That said, they are putting extra priority on finding the Morgan Junction burglar because he “doesn’t match any patterns.” They are working on a sketch to put out. Lt. Paulsen says the man broke into an apartment in the 6000 block of California around 6 am. “He fled after the occupant screamed.” He was not “hostile” toward the occupant – he didn’t indicate any violent intentions, according to Lt. Paulsen – and he didn’t take anything. But since they don’t know exactly what his motive was, they’re particularly eager to catch him. They know the man got on a Metro bus and headed toward downtown; they have collected “trace evidence” and have some good leads as well as witness accounts. The man is described as a “thin black male in his 20s,” 6 feet tall, shaved head, wearing a red shirt and dark pants, and he has a wound on his head – he apparently got cut while running away. (No one in the apartment was hurt.) He broke in through a ground-floor bathroom window, according to Lt. Paulsen. He promised to let us know as soon as the sketch is available, so we’ll bring it to you when we get it. Meantime, he stresses all the advice you’ve heard before – keep your doors and windows secure, and if you see anybody suspicious, call 911. (Meantime, as for the South Park case, no new major developments today.)

celeste17 July 21, 2009 (3:45 pm)

Wow how scary. Hope everyone is alright.

WSB July 21, 2009 (3:57 pm)

Thanks, Celeste, just added a line, that was an important point I left out – police say no one in the apt. was hurt – TR

miws July 21, 2009 (5:14 pm)

Since he was cut, hopefully he left some DNA behind.

Mike

MM July 22, 2009 (5:34 pm)

I am happy that She Screamed and He Ran!

It is odd to me that he is called a Burglar but he did not steal anything. If he was a thief then he probably would never enter the bedroom and stand next to someone sleeping. A thief would steal stuff and leave, trying not to wake anyone.

Also the description is very similar to the South Park Murderer. Similar Height, Build, and Color. The only big difference is the the SP murderer had Nappy Hair and the Guy in Morgan Junction Had a “Shaved” Head. Sounds like someone may have got a haircut???

WSB July 22, 2009 (5:36 pm)

If you enter someplace you are not authorized to enter, it’s burglary. Even if it’s for example a business that is open to the public. Even if the door was unlocked (not the case here) – unauthorized entry with criminal intent is burglary. As just noted in my followup just published on this story, it is NOT the same guy. Prints don’t match.

Mike July 23, 2009 (9:28 pm)

He might have dog bit scars on his legs if this is the same one who burgled me in April.

lindsey August 6, 2009 (1:03 am)

too scary.. thats in my neighborhood 1 block away, my neighbor had his car broken into that morning around 4am that same day, its summer and some people sleep with their windows open. whats really happening in west seattle, it wasnt like this 10 years ago!!!!

Sorry, comment time is over.