4:12 PM: After a few notes and calls, we checked out major police activity this past hour near the Fauntleroy ferry dock. According to police on the scene as well as scanner traffic, a possible burglary in progress was reported. However, police say, no burglary after all – but they were still trying to find the people who had been seen possibly trying to break into a house; the only description we heard was white, male, early 20s, one in a red hat, last seen possibly eastbound on SW Director (which is the street that’s just north of the Fauntleroy Creek overlook across from the dock). 4:28 PM UPDATE: There’s a new call of a possible prowler, maybe related, just a bit east/uphill. Meantime, we’ve added a photo from the earlier search. 4:50 PM UPDATE: Scanner traffic indicates a possible suspect has been detained. We’ll be checking for more information on whether that led to an arrest.
5:53 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Brian, the nearby resident whose tip appears to have led police to the suspect. Brian lives near Fauntleroy Creek and was startled to look out a window and see “this guy walking through the back yard.” After seeing the guy walk on to open the gate, Brian went out and asked the man what he was doing. The man claimed to have been lost in the woods. Brian went back in the house and called 911 to ask if they were looking for anyone in Fauntleroy; and of course, they were. He then called some neighbors to alert them – and the neighbors told him a whole bunch of police had just rolled up, and found the suspect. (Brian says he was told they were going to detain the suspect on warrants that were out for his arrest; we’re still working on getting official information.) “I was impressed,” Brian told us. “From the time I saw him walking through the back yard, it was maybe five minutes (till they arrived) – they were right on top of it. There’s no reason for anybody to be in my back yard!”
7:26 PM UPDATE: Police confirm this all started with someone reporting “2 suspicious males attempting to enter a residence in the 9100 block of Fauntleroy Way SW.” Police talked with one suspect shortly after that 3 pm report, according to Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen, who says it all wound up with one arrest. Since no actual burglary happened, that arrest was for criminal trespass plus “miscellaneous warrants” including one for escape. Capt. Paulsen adds:
The Southwest Precinct would like to thank all of the citizens who called 911 when they observed the suspicious behavior at the residence as well as calling 911 after observing one of the subjects running through yards. It was your watchful eye and knowledge of your neighborhood that helps keep West Seattle as one of the safest places to live.
A similar sentiment from Lt. Alan Williams: “Once again, the Community-Police partnership has made life difficult for criminals in our area!”
ADDED 11:30 PM: From area resident Natascha:
I wanted to respond to your story and also provide my feedback and strong support for the Seattle police department. I had left my patio door open while working in my home office. After my dogs did not stop barking for quite some time, I left my conference call to find 6 police officers surronding my house and asking if they could search the premises for the suspect who was seen in my backyard. I was very impressed with the action of the police officers and response to the calls from the neighbors. Nice to know that everyone takes prowlers seriously and want to keep our amazing neighborhood safe. Having relocated from LA this is definitely refreshing!
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