West Seattle Crime Watch: Junction vandalism, attack may be linked

(SCROLL DOWN FOR STORY UPDATES including SPD reports, Bang Bar cleanup)

2:16 AM: We’re still trying to piece this one together but here’s what we know so far, thanks to scanner traffic as well as tips from Will (who sent photos) and Jacob: At least two businesses were hit by vandalism – broken windows – in The Junction early today – the new Bang Bar on California north of Edmunds (Will’s photo above shows fire crews dealing with the broken glass), and Elegant Nails a short distance south:

Police were talking to possible suspects at last report. Other scanner traffic suggests there’s even more to the story but we’ll wait till we can confirm with police sometime in the next several hours.

8:41 AM: We just spoke with media-response unit Det. Mark Jamieson, who has published more details on SPD Blotter. As it had sounded last night via scanner, it’s complicated – there were two Junction incidents that might be related, an assault outside Matador (detailed on SPD Blotter here – two passersby hit an employee, who wasn’t seriously hurt) and the broken-windows incident (detailed on SPD Blotter here – it appears the two businesses in our report are the only ones hit). Two 23-year-old men are in custody, and facing charges in the attack, for starters. They were caught just northwest of The Junction, one along Glenn, one along Oregon; the second arrest involved a K-9 officer who had joined the search.

9:43 AM: We can’t make a definitive match yet without seeing a more-detailed police report (not available online), but there were two 23-year-old men booked into King County Jail at 3:30 am on suspicion of misdemeanor assault; according to Seattle Municipal Court status updates, one is already out of jail, on “personal recognizance”; the other, who has a felony criminal record including robbery cases, has a court hearing at 10 am.

10:44 AM: We just went to The Junction to check on the aftermath. The nail salon is already open and doing business for the day. At Bang Bar, here’s what we found:

The owners are there, cleaning up and fixing the window (we took the photo inside, looking toward the street). They told us they will be open tonight as usual starting at 4 pm. Note that, as is posted on their door, they are only open for dinner (etc.) TFN, no relation to this, it’s just a decision they’ve made while they continue to fine-tune operations.

4:42 PM: Will shares another photo – the Bang Bar window, fixed:

We checked on the one believed-to-be suspect who was still in jail this morning; he’s still in this afternoon, in lieu of $950 bail, with a hearing now set for tomorrow morning.

41 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Junction vandalism, attack may be linked"

  • Magpie June 22, 2011 (5:57 am)

    How awful. Hope they caught/catch the culprits.

  • RJB June 22, 2011 (6:27 am)

    Ugh….so disapointing.

  • CMeagh June 22, 2011 (8:07 am)

    Not a good welcome to the neighborhood for Bang Bar.

  • CandrewB June 22, 2011 (8:24 am)

    According to the PI, they caught them after they also assaulted a worker at Matador.

    • WSB June 22, 2011 (9:02 am)

      CaB, we’ve already added that to the story. It’s from an SPD news release. The assault was the part we alluded to re: “more to the story” – that all played out via the scanner, but it was impossible to tell how it was linked, and I couldn’t reach anyone for official comment in the wee hours, so we just went with what we knew for sure. Right now the suspects are in custody in connection with the attack for certain, and the vandalism case will depend on evidence, per Det. Jamieson – TR

  • Cat June 22, 2011 (8:29 am)

    We ate dinner at the new Bang Bar – it was awesome! They are so happy to be in the neighborhood. That’s not a very warm welcome for them. I also use Elegant Nails by Tina – she’s awesome. I hope this wasn’t racially oriented! Both are Asian owned businesses. Not right!! I hope they catch them.

  • Glendafrench June 22, 2011 (8:38 am)

    So first someone steals the door knocker off the front door of A Terrible Beauty and now this? Urg. To the owners of both new businesses, I’m sorry this was your welcome – this is NOT West Seattle.

  • J June 22, 2011 (9:15 am)

    I heard them last night. One was shouting to “Davey” to calm down while I heard Davey shouting and knocking something over. Good thing the police came a few minutes afterwards. There are a bunch of knocked over garbage cans and dumpsters in the alley behind Easy Street and those other businesses. Hopefully the police have the right people.

  • chrisma June 22, 2011 (9:22 am)

    Both SPD Blotter links go to the Property Damage story. The Assault details are in the previous entry here: http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2011/06/22/assault-in-west-seattle-suspects-arrested/

    • WSB June 22, 2011 (9:35 am)

      Thanks, Chris, fixed that a few minutes ago thanks to another kind soul who e-mailed me, sorry. – TR

  • buddsmom June 22, 2011 (9:25 am)

    Cat~ That was my first thought too.

  • Rob June 22, 2011 (9:35 am)

    Can we put them on public display during the upcoming West Seattle Summer Fest? I’d like to speak to them both…

  • joe June 22, 2011 (9:47 am)

    How many drinking establishments does the junction really need? It seems it will only get worse.

  • ad June 22, 2011 (9:52 am)

    :(
    I love Tina and her nail shop girls. I’m sorry they have to deal with this.

    I haven’t been to Bang Bar yet, but this gives me all the more reason to go soon.

  • westside June 22, 2011 (10:00 am)

    Good job WSB and SPD!! This kind of stuff makes me sick.

  • foy boy June 22, 2011 (10:29 am)

    Joe your right. Pretty soon will be the next pionner square or bell town. We can start our own westseattle bar and pub crawl. Start at the feed back and work our way north. Final stop the admerial pub. That would make it what 15 maybe 18 stops. Somone call a cab.

  • Kim June 22, 2011 (10:38 am)

    Wow, what’s up with all the destructive behavior? This morning I discovered my car had been broken into… not sure if its related, but certainly is disappointing.
    Not a very warm welcome to the new businesses, hope this at least generates extra support!

  • chrisma June 22, 2011 (11:06 am)

    Sorry, TR. I should have emailed you about the link instead of commenting. As always, thank you for your tireless work keeping us all informed. Always appreciated.

    • WSB June 22, 2011 (11:28 am)

      C – no worries, getting the info out is the most important thing, but sometimes it’s just mildly annoying when we are covering a story as it happens in the middle of the night and then the next morning, police put out a news release that everyone gets, including those who didn’t know about it otherwise, and that just happens to be what some see first, depending on your news-browsing habits. (We tried to get more aftermath info overnight from the precinct, but some nights there’s a directly reachable commander on duty at SW, and some nights there’s not.) But hey, we work hard to follow up AFTER the news release too, as is the case in details added above regarding likely suspects and how one business is cleaning up. And HUGE thanks again to the gentlemen who provided photos and info from the scene overnight while I was working from the desk – yet another case of true community collaboration … TR

  • onceachef June 22, 2011 (11:11 am)

    To foy boy and Joe – the reality of having multiple “drinking establishments” is supposed to offer choices to customers (as to where they want to go) and not be construed as “let’s go to all of them, get really drunk and destroy some property…and hurt some people too”. Anyone can get drunk enough at any one or two establishments (or at home for that matter) and go out and commit crime. This sounds more like a case of bigotry if not outright racism..and stupidity. I don’t understand the one guy getting out on his “personal recognizance”…what? Let’s try and make it a little harder on him, eh?

  • Diane June 22, 2011 (11:25 am)

    there is already a very organized pub-crawl in WS; in fact, they were out on the Ave last night in bright yellow t-shirts; though I think it’s more moms and dads out for a rare fun eve, and most of them walk

  • bridge to somewhere June 22, 2011 (11:54 am)

    frustrating to hear about the vandalism. perhaps the onomatopoeia of the word “bang” in “bang bar” inspired the jerks to break the window.

  • Paul June 22, 2011 (12:13 pm)

    Glendafrench — Unfortunatley this IS west seattle

  • Junctionite June 22, 2011 (12:29 pm)

    Paul – unfortunately I agree. I live only a couple of blocks from these businesses, in the 9 years I have lived here my car has been stolen & prowled and my house has been broken into. There are things I like about West Seattle, but I would share these risks with anyone who was considering living or starting a business here. Property crime is an issue.

  • dawsonct June 22, 2011 (12:45 pm)

    A little clarification to Carrie Nation, I mean Joe, Bang Bar is a restaurant. Like MOST full service restaurants (any that hope to survive, that is), they have a liquor license.

    Still plenty of dry counties in the Bible Belt. Move.

  • Diane June 22, 2011 (12:51 pm)

    If the PI is going to rip off/then sort of credit westseattleblog re this story, can’t they at least get name of the restaurant correct? it’s the Bang Bar Restaurant and Lounge, not the Bang Restaurant and Bar

  • Jiggers June 22, 2011 (12:58 pm)

    I’m speculating a combination of too much alcohol and a something 21 plus year old “KIDS” Just speculating of course.

  • Casey June 22, 2011 (1:14 pm)

    I think the pub crawl could have been related to a ws high all alumni? Heard about it, didn’t go, not sure if that was last night.

  • miws June 22, 2011 (2:01 pm)

    Fortunately, I have been recent witness to what I have long known–that this type of behavior is not West Seattle. The West Seattle I’ve known and loved for nearly 53 years, is the polar opposite.

    .

    Sorry this type of thing is happening to longtime and new WS businesses. As bad as I feel for the owner and employees of the nail shop, I feel a bit of a sense of relief that it didn’t happen a few doors south, at the nail shop in the Barnecut Law Offices building, that was severely damaged a couple of months or so ago, when a car was driven through it. I believe that shop has reopened, but it was closed for several weeks, much longer than I expected.

    Mike

  • breezygirl June 22, 2011 (2:41 pm)

    I, for one, am starting to get a littlesick and tired of reading comments from people who are complaining that west seattle is turning into some sort of drunken, crime ridden town. It really does’nt matter where you live folks, there’s always gonna be some jerk who decides its fun to smash some windows and break into cars. I grew up here in WS then moved to ballard for 2 years where i had my car keyed and broken into twice. I moved back to WS and have had no trouble. Our neighborhood is still safer then many others. I really am sorry this happened to these establishments though. It really is awful.

  • margaritaville June 22, 2011 (2:55 pm)

    Rob is right – put them on public display during Summer Fest. They could be the star attraction of a dunk tank. The profits could go to offset the cost of vandaling Bang Bar and Elegant Nails.

  • Recall McGinn June 22, 2011 (3:03 pm)

    Great work by the Seattle PD to catch these goofs, it’s a shame that criminals don’t have better things to do. Also, great coverage by the WSB (again).

    It’s also a shame that people would find these sad events racially motivated. It’s not always about race, sometimes sociopaths are just bent on wreacking havoc.

  • Dc June 22, 2011 (4:08 pm)

    Well on a brighter note I’m excited to hear the Bang Bar is awesome! Anyone know if it is family friendly? Can’t wait to try it!

  • onceachef June 22, 2011 (4:49 pm)

    Dc…I’m pretty sure BB will welcome kids but I think it depends on how adventurous eaters they are…also, it’s a bit spendy (for kids meals) but they could split something (like the lamb satay..it’s 2 huge lamb chops on the bone). It’s definitely a great spot for an ‘occasion’ or a very nice Thai meal (a bit more upscale than others in the area).

  • joe June 22, 2011 (4:49 pm)

    I own a business in the junction, have lived here my whole life, and fully understand growth and development. My comment was to get people to think about where our safety is going, not to point fingers. Maybe if Liberty Bell had a liquor license, it would still be here. West Seattle is far from a drunken, crime-ridden town but because rents are so high and can only be afforded by selling booze, it’s a sad reality. To have a bar right next to a a mostly childrens dance studio is a shame. But Dawsonct- I’d drink you under the table!

  • NotMe June 22, 2011 (5:39 pm)

    I have said it before, and I will point it out again: there is ALWAYS at least one that will blame the victim in this blog. Today’s victim is Bang Bar Restaurant and Lounge. They were blamed by BridgeToSomewhere – who says the reason their window was smashed was due to the word “bang” in the name of the business… thanks, Bridge. You didn’t let me down.
    .
    The property crime in West Seattle is lower than other areas. Period. Honestly, think (and research) before you re-act.

  • Rob June 22, 2011 (7:45 pm)

    So sorry to hear this- agree with all the sentiments that it’s an unfortunate welcome to the neighborhood. We were just there last night for dinner and it’s AMAZING. Terrific food, awesome space, and the best staff ever! It’s a wonderful place, I HIGHLY recommend it.

    This isn’t West Seattle….unfortunate that punks do this kind of thing, damage other peoples livelihoods because they are too big of losers to make anything better of themselves. It happens everywhere….look at Vancouver last weekend (and they’re Canadians, who are by nature so much better behaved the we are to begin with).

    Best reponse is to support these establishments and keep them thriving, don’t let the punks win!

  • Jiggers June 22, 2011 (7:51 pm)

    There better be police presence 24/7 at Summer Fest.

  • bridge to somewhere June 23, 2011 (11:10 am)

    @NotMe: thanks for the self righteous post, but in fact I wasn’t “blaming the victim” and I didn’t “[say] the reason their window was smashed was due to the word ‘bang’ in the name of the business.” To be precise, I said “frustrating to hear about the vandalism. perhaps the onomatopoeia of the word ‘bang’ in ‘bang bar’ inspired the jerks to break the window”, making a stupid joke for sure, but not exactly “blaming the victim.” In fact, I thought the words “frustrating” and “jerks” would signaled my annoyance at the criminals and their act. But if you really want to feel better than everyone else and serve on the “blame the victim” patrol, go right ahead.

  • Veteran Wisdom June 23, 2011 (4:35 pm)

    I guess this must have been the reason SPD couldn’t find time to respond to multiple calls to the Admiral District to help detain an individual who assulted me. I called 911 and the non-emergency line (I know I wasn’t the only person who called). I had to wait almost 12 hours before an officer came to my home to take my report.

  • bridge to somewhere June 23, 2011 (6:14 pm)

    eek, really sorry to hear that Veteran Wisdom. i hope you’re ok and weren’t badly injured . . .

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