West Seattle Crime Watch: Alleged car prowler thwarted, arrested

Just in case you’re wondering: K-9 is helping with a police search that is related to at least two complaints in the Fairmount Park/Fairmount Springs area. WSB contributor Katie Meyer heard the early scanner traffic and reports that two people were reportedly seen in at least one backyard, one possibly with a ladder; the 5400 block of 41st SW was mentioned. There has also been a report of someone suspicious seen east of the park. We’ll add more information when/if we get it.

1:47 AM UPDATE: We haven’t heard back from police yet, but we have it from a neighborhood source that one suspect was taken into custody, believed to be the man spotted going through a car.

2:07 AM UPDATE: Confirmation from Lt. Alan Williams at the Southwest Precinct: “At about 11:54, a citizen who lives in the 5400 block of 42nd SW [map] saw someone inside his (unlocked) car. The suspect ran when the victim yelled at him. The victim called 9-1-1. Several patrol units and one K9 unit responded. The dog and handler were able to locate and detain a possible suspect in the 5600 block of 41st SW. The victim identified the suspect as the person he had seen inside his car. The suspect, a 20-year-old man, was booked into jail for Car Prowling.”

7 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Alleged car prowler thwarted, arrested"

  • 2labs2walk May 19, 2011 (7:33 am)

    Way to go, neighbor!

  • SB May 19, 2011 (9:22 am)

    My car was broken into last night as well at 50th and Dawson St. Called the SW Precinct and they said no one was arrested last night and to report it as a non emergency.

  • Harveyroberson May 19, 2011 (10:01 am)

    Nice! I hope that dog took a ” bite” out of crime.

  • William Stover May 19, 2011 (11:00 am)

    My car was also broken into last night on 50th and Dawson (Bruce) They stole my jacket and electric piano. The police at the SW Precinct also told me that no arrest had been made. Are the police lying to me or the West Seattle Blog?

    • WSB May 19, 2011 (11:03 am)

      William, I don’t know that the person arrested last night would necessarily have been suspected in your incident too – 50th and Dawson is many blocks away from 5400 block of 42nd – but not only did we have that info from Lt Williams, who is the night commander, we also heard on the scanner that one was in custody and being taken to the precinct. I will ping the dayside command staff to inquire – TR

      • WSB May 19, 2011 (11:42 am)

        And an update. Lt. Pierre Davis, second in command @ the precinct, reconfirms what we reported. But that does NOT necessarily mean the arrestee had anything to do with any other incidents. Lt. Davis’s reply a few minutes ago to our question, noting what we had been told overnight and that a couple commenters here had inquired: “The answer to your question is “yes”!! The officers did make an arrest of a car prowler in the 5400 block of 42nd SW. The only explanation that I can give toward the misinformation piece is that the officer may not have known or could find information regarding the arrest. Sorry for the confusion…” – TR

  • Lovingspd May 19, 2011 (3:26 pm)

    40th and Brandon isn’t that far away to make this two different people. Do we know what was stolen from the other prowles? Got to love the attitude of the SPD assuming we are wrong instead of investigating it. Maybe they should read the WSB in the morning instead of their reports to get the latest crime news. Way to WSB!

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