By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*Attempted break-ins galore early Monday: Someone tried to disable the alarm systems at three California Avenue businesses (two in the Alaska Junction; one in Morgan Junction). Suspects gained access to only one, where they ransacked the interior and stole a case of liquor.

*On Monday afternoon, a stranger went down the 3200 block of 44th SW, banging on doors and yelling, “Which neighbor reported on me?” One home on that street is well known to both officers and firefighters. Although the owner no longer lives at that residence — and the water and heat have been turned off — he is reported to be allowing others to camp out (which might explain the odd, “foul” odors that firefighters were sent to investigate recently). The angry stranger was a white male with a stocky build, and he drove off northbound in a silver pickup truck.

Seven more summaries ahead, including two involving for-sale homes:

*In the Lincoln Park area, a homeowner who just listed his house for sale confronted two “scruffy” individuals who were peering through some windows on Tuesday morning around 8:30. They claimed they were looking for a house to buy, but, the report says, they didn’t really seem to be qualified to buy the expensive residence. They left quickly when confronted, driving off in a tan Honda Civic with a possible stolen license plate.

*In the Genesee area, a home for sale was targeted by unknown persons who gained access (how is unclear) on Friday afternoon and stole jewelry, a .38 caliber handgun, checks, cash, and a computer.

*Around 7 p.m. Thursday, an officer pulled over a gold BMW at 30th and SW Dakota because of a license plate problem. He became concerned when the two occupants immediately put up their hands and when he noticed that the interior of the car had been stripped of panels and parts. The passenger denied that the drugs on the floorboard were his (but was somehow able to explain that the bag contained meth, not cocaine). He was carrying a glass pipe and baggies with a white power residue. Both tested positive for meth. He ended up being booked into King County Jail for investigation of the drugs and on a no-bail felony escape warrant from Olympia. The driver (described as having multiple tattoos and “looking like Charles Manson”) was interviewed and released but may face charges if a search of the car turns up additional drugs.

*A woman and friends found a cell phone in an Alaska Junction parking lot on Sunday afternoon. In scrolling through the data, trying to find information about the owner, they ran across pictures of an unclothed, obviously underage girl. The phone was turned over to the Southwest Precinct and given to the Internet Crimes Against Children unit for investigation.

*Over the weekend, unknown persons broke into a Pigeon Point construction site and stole thousands of dollars worth of tools.

*Saturday night, four teenage friends tried to pull a prank at a Gatewood business, placing a fake bomb onto the counter and then running out. But one prankster was chased by a man who grabbed him by the neck, pushed him into a fence and punched him in the face before disappearing. The 15-year-old later returned to the business, explained (and apologized) for his actions.

*Accompanied by relatives who confirmed her stories, a local 14-year-old visited her social worker, described her mother’s alcohol, physical, and verbal abuse, and asked to be placed into protective custody. Her wish was granted.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Remember, the CRISIS LINE is a resource for those in crisis, including thoughts or acts of self-harm: 206.461.3222 … WSBeat roundups are archived here. We also publish crime reports when we get tips or otherwise hear about noteworthy incidents – they don’t all turn up on the scanner, so please don’t be shy about letting us know when you see/hear something happening = calling or texting 206-293-6302 is the best way.