West Seattle Crime Watch: Denny damage, teen arrested

11:27 PM: We’d been waiting to hear back from the precinct after asking about a report of police at Denny International Middle School earlier. This new update from SPD Blotter is apparently the answer:

On June 5th at approximately 3:49 p.m. officers responded to a middle school in the 8400 block of 30th Avenue SW after school security received an interior burglar alarm trip. School security was able to hear banging and breaking glass, and eventually saw the juvenile male suspect inside the office area of the school breaking things.

After establishing containment, officers entered the premises and found fresh damage to the office area including smashed glass panels in the doors. Officers then saw the suspect running in an interior courtyard. When they cut off his avenue of escape, the suspect turned and ran in another direction through the complex. After a brief foot pursuit, officers took the suspect into custody.

Officers secured the suspect and finished searching the rest of the building complex. Officers then photographed and documented the damage and collected evidence.

The suspect, a 13-year-old male, was transported to the Southwest Precinct where he was released to the custody of his father.

There are no other suspects outstanding or believed to be involved in the burglary and property damage to the school. Southwest Precinct Burglary detectives will be handling the active and ongoing investigation.

No word on how/if this affects school tomorrow – we’re checking.

7:31 AM MONDAY: Principal Jeff Clark says the damage “is not extensive.” He adds, “The district facilities department did a great job replacing several broken windows in the library and main office last night. We are all set to have a normal student day here at school.”

6:35 PM MONDAY: We asked the school district about a dollar value on the damage done; spokesperson Teresa Wippel says the only damaged items that had to be replaced were broken windows, costing $732 for labor/materials.

9 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Denny damage, teen arrested"

  • samson June 6, 2011 (6:54 am)

    Damn, 13 years old!!! I wonder what his father will do with this teenager… punishment?? what is going on? Guess this teenager does want to go back to school and learn more???

  • Idle June 6, 2011 (7:20 am)

    Thanks for the info. I meant to send an email and ask but I forgot by the time I had email access. There we at least 8 police cars there and they had approached silently.

  • tarado June 6, 2011 (7:43 am)

    What a genious. Take him to Judge Judy courtroom.

  • ummm June 6, 2011 (8:47 am)

    Someone set the library on fire when I was in high school, and I’m thinking the same thing now as I was then. I hope these kids grow up to realize that their damaging school property doesn’t get back at anyone, it just takes away resources from their peers. Have some damn respect.

  • doc June 6, 2011 (12:58 pm)

    I think the irony is the kid is destroying the one place that could actually give him a chance to get somewhere in life and not act like this. It’s like symbolism, except not…

  • Recall McGinn June 6, 2011 (4:34 pm)

    I hope the little dude gets some professional help dealing with the issues he seems to have. If he doesn’t get some help now, he will only get worse.

  • phil dirt June 7, 2011 (6:59 am)

    Arrest his father too!

  • a June 7, 2011 (12:51 pm)

    i understand how the kid could feel but trashing his school is no way to solve things..

  • GiveMeABreak June 8, 2011 (11:18 am)

    I’m going out on a limb here in saying, “I’m sure the apple didn’t fall from the tree.” This little rodent needs to be put on the WORK detail in repairing the damage he caused.

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