Update: Police arrest domestic-violence suspect, after search with helicopter, K-9

10:37 PM: We’re not sure yet about the reason for the search, but police are looking for a suspect in the Schmitz Park Elementary area, and per scanner communication, the Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter is on the way, so you will likely hear it soon if you’re in that area. We have a crew on the way; more information when we get it. The description mentioned over the air is a white man, early 20s, six feet tall, hoodie and long, dark-colored shorts.

10:47 PM: Police tell our crew in the area that they are looking for a domestic-violence suspect. No other details. They’re bringing in a K-9 to help search on the ground.

10:51 PM: We’ve learned that the original scanner traffic on this incident mentioned possible harassment and vandalism – tire-slashing – as part of why they’re seeking the suspect.

11:14 PM: The search in the original area – centered on a home near 49th/Hinds – did not pan out, but they’re following other leads, including one that the suspect might have headed east, toward California SW. If you see anyone matching the description, call 911.

11:19 PM: Sounds like they may have a suspect in custody. Will verify when we can.

11:27 PM: Precinct verifies the arrest. We’ll seek out additional information tomorrow when the report’s available.

45 Replies to "Update: Police arrest domestic-violence suspect, after search with helicopter, K-9"

  • Brooke November 27, 2012 (10:41 pm)

    We hear the choppers overhead near Charleston & Cali.

  • justme November 27, 2012 (10:43 pm)

    Scary, it’s over my house right now.

  • SLS November 27, 2012 (10:43 pm)

    Helicopter circling in the Admiral area close to WS high school.

  • Rs November 27, 2012 (10:44 pm)

    Buzzing our house at 38th and Hanford…

  • GWG November 27, 2012 (10:44 pm)

    They are over my house now 48 and Charlestown Ave

  • B November 27, 2012 (10:45 pm)

    It’s above my street, circling and circling…Charleston & 47th. Creepy. Thanks WSB. I heard the chopper and came here immediately and you had the answer. You are awesome!

  • N Admiral November 27, 2012 (10:46 pm)

    Thanks. I am hearing the helicopter, now.

  • kte November 27, 2012 (10:46 pm)

    That police copter is circling round and round here. We’re just about 2 block from Schmitz Park Elementary. We’re very interested to learn what the search is about

  • CJ November 27, 2012 (10:46 pm)

    Thanks-knew I could check here for what is going on!

  • NWmama November 27, 2012 (10:46 pm)

    Helicopter seems to be focused on 44th-47th and a few blocks south starting at hinds

  • Tracy November 27, 2012 (10:47 pm)

    We are a couple blocks from Schmitz Park Elementary and the helicopter is definitely here. Has been circling for the last 5 minutes or so.

  • Pepper November 27, 2012 (10:47 pm)

    It is circling over my house in the Junction too…..

  • sonic November 27, 2012 (10:49 pm)

    I saw a tall guy walking west on 61st just west of admiral about 30 minutes ago. he was wearing a light colored hoodie and shorts.

  • pam November 27, 2012 (10:49 pm)

    Thank you!

  • SWD November 27, 2012 (10:50 pm)

    SW DAKOTA STREET HAD A FOUR DOOR CAR, SUSPICIOUS AS IT HAD NO LIGHTS ON COME SPEEDING DOWN THE ROAD COMING FROM THE EAST AND TURN INTO THE ALLEY LEADING TO HOLY ROSARY; ABOUT 5 MINUTES AGO.

  • Leeby November 27, 2012 (10:50 pm)

    Hearing the choppers around 59th Ave SW

  • K S November 27, 2012 (10:50 pm)

    I heat it over my house at 47 th and Andover

  • JOHN November 27, 2012 (10:51 pm)

    Yep over our house 50th and Steveson

  • Kayla November 27, 2012 (10:51 pm)

    Can hear it now above my house, near Camp long

  • diane2726 November 27, 2012 (10:52 pm)

    My son just came to my room asking what the chopper was doing. I said I’ll find out, went right to the blog. You can hear it big time up on genesee hill.

  • t November 27, 2012 (10:53 pm)

    Wow. Been circling above 50th and charlestown forever. Thx for listing what is going on

  • L.A. November 27, 2012 (10:53 pm)

    Love you guys. Heard a copter and the two of us were like… Who is going to wsb? You are always on it.

  • KH November 27, 2012 (10:56 pm)

    Chopper just flew out of the Schmitz Park Elementary area headed south. Quite a bit of police activity on Charlestown hill. It appears that the police cars are now headed south as well.

  • Flip Washington November 27, 2012 (10:57 pm)

    I’m going into lockdown mode at Prost. Need some liquid courage before I head out on a vigilante mission to locate this creep and put him in a full nelson.

  • NC November 27, 2012 (10:59 pm)

    about 8 or 9 shots/firecrackers were heard near the intersection of 63rd & Alki about 10:15 or so. No idea if its connected.

    • WSB November 27, 2012 (11:07 pm)

      NC, nothing on the scanner about that at all. Call police if you haven’t already, though, if you’re close to that area. Sometimes everyone assumes somebody else has already called … and no one has. Meantime, no new info, this seems to have moved off-scanner to some degree.

  • Katie November 27, 2012 (10:59 pm)

    Thanks for letting us know what this was. The chopper had a searchlight in our alley at 44th and Charlestown so I was starting to panic! Hopefully they catch him soon.

  • justme November 27, 2012 (10:59 pm)

    Everyone check your tires before going to work in the morning.

  • Swc November 27, 2012 (11:03 pm)

    Happy I know what it is now. Thanks blog. Over West Seattle High school alot.

  • Ajax November 27, 2012 (11:10 pm)

    Saw it flying over while driving up my alley and was reminded of Houston in the late ’80s. Except for the Columbian drug gangs and every-other-day murders. Seriously, as long as it’s something that people are surprised and disturbed by, things are not that bad in the ‘hood.

  • Alki Resident November 27, 2012 (11:19 pm)

    They usually switch channels to privatize location of officers. I hate nights like this,keeps everyone at bay until its resolved. I’m sure everyone can rely on it being over when helicopter leaves area. Not always the case,but I’m sure they’re dead set on finding him tonight.

  • T November 27, 2012 (11:20 pm)

    Called police to check on status and they said suspect was no longer outstanding

    • WSB November 27, 2012 (11:21 pm)

      I just added to the story that a suspect is in custody as of a couple minutes ago.

  • Stephanie November 27, 2012 (11:25 pm)

    Do we seriously use a helicopter for tire slashing suspects? Harassment and domestic violence can be very serious, so I don’t want to take away from that – but it seems like the chopper is out every week. Whenever we hear it, it’s like, “honey, get inside, somebody with a knife is running around…” Do we just not have enough police to cover west seattle?

    • WSB November 27, 2012 (11:54 pm)

      Stephanie – I only have bits and pieces of information. Tomorrow morning I should be able to find out something more from whatever official report the media-relations unit gets. Guardian One is not always available but when it is and they have somebody on the run – they may call for it. Have NO idea about this guy’s background, if any, etc. Ground searches don’t always suffice. In fact, a while BEFORE the guy turned up back in the original search neighborhood, they called off containment because the trail went cold. I don’t know how much the chopper helped here but they can “see” someone who’s hiding, completely invisible to ground forces, no matter how many you have …

  • Alki Resident November 27, 2012 (11:28 pm)

    Maybe tomorrow we can get a name. I hope he didn’t badly hurt his victim. So sick of dv.

  • MSW November 27, 2012 (11:34 pm)

    They caught the guy right in front of my house. 4 police cars just left about 5 minutes ago. They had him down on the ground on 49th just north of Forney. The guy was resisting a bit and was yelling at the police asking why he was being arrested. He was pretty belligerent.

  • Megan November 27, 2012 (11:34 pm)

    Glad the bad guy is in custody!

    A bit off topic, but from the picture atop the story…..did the SPD get new cars or change their paint jobs? I have never seen a police car like that.

    • WSB November 27, 2012 (11:51 pm)

      This is the new look. Was unveiled a while back, I’m not sure about the rollout schedule, but will be asking. We saw one this afternoon near 35th and Avalon and I tried to get a photo to tweet – we were in transit – but got out of view too quickly – then noticed this when co-publisher brought home the pic from search scene.

  • Mike November 27, 2012 (11:58 pm)

    Stephanie, Guardian One has tech that allows them to search faster and more effectively. The ground crew see’s what they see in the air and can respond as needed. They can track your heat signature in Schmitz Park if they want and see you running around.
    .
    http://www.kingcounty.gov/council/news/2008/August/PvR_GuardianOne.aspx
    .
    Info on the infrared camera, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_looking_infrared

  • G November 28, 2012 (1:48 am)

    Don’t forget, innocent until proven guilty.

  • justwow November 28, 2012 (9:32 am)

    Keep yourselves locked in your house nad don’t come out. Its a scary world.

  • zach November 28, 2012 (1:49 pm)

    I would never lock myself in my house out o ffearof what might happen. The odds are fairly low that a crazy guywill kill you or attack you.

  • Cheetah fast dad November 28, 2012 (7:14 pm)

    Hey WSB — any update on the suspect and/or victim?

    • WSB November 28, 2012 (8:02 pm)

      I put the request out to SPD media relations today – they could not even find the incident (I couldn’t find the call # on the maps) – and I still haven’t heard anything. Going to try again tomorrow; usually they are able to help, fast, but if they can’t I will circle back around with the precinct. – TR

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