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Update: Police/helicopter search in Lincoln Park area

May 30, 2014 11:06 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

11:06 PM: The Guardian One helicopter is on the way to join Seattle Police in a Lincoln Park-area search. We’re still tracking down details but wanted to let you know that’s what’s happening, in case you see/hear the helicopter (or are seeing police on the ground).

11:15 PM: They’re looking for multiple suspects, one of whom was described as armed with a knife, last seen running into the north end of Lincoln Park. There’s a K-9 team in that area too.

11:32 PM: They’re still searching the park. Still no word on the nature of the call; all we know for sure is that there have *not* been any major-injury incidents in the area tonight.

11:47 PM: Basically the helicopter – which has been circling for a full half-hour now – is helping point police to just about anyone in the park/vicinity.

11:57 PM: Possible suspects found in the park, toward its central area.

12:06 AM: They’re still working to figure out if the possible suspects are who they’re looking for. And via multiple sources and bits of information, we believe this all started with a business robbery.

12:14 AM: Chopper has moved on – but the case isn’t necessarily closed yet. Their tweet confirms this is a robbery case:

12:23 AM: Seattle Police add that it “started as a shoplift call in 7400 block of Fauntleroy – male suspect drew a knife and fled into Lincoln Park.” (That’s the mini-mart/gas station across from the north end of the park.)

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37 Replies to "Update: Police/helicopter search in Lincoln Park area"

  • Max May 30, 2014 (11:10 pm)

    Yep, just overhead in Gatewood. And sound of motorcycles revving?

  • concerned May 30, 2014 (11:11 pm)

    What are they looking for?

    • WSB May 30, 2014 (11:13 pm)

      I came in on the middle of scanner discussion of a search/containment situation, and then Guardian One jumped in to offer help. I’m trying to confirm with police what this started as – will update when we get those details.

  • cj May 30, 2014 (11:12 pm)

    I live close to the park and can hear the helicopter circling now. Locking my windows, thanks for the heads up.

  • Laird Applegate May 30, 2014 (11:12 pm)

    Corner of Wright Ave Sw and Othello SW with police car facing park and helicopter overhead.

  • OfftheCounterbalance May 30, 2014 (11:15 pm)

    Yep, I am on North end of Lincoln park actually, next to the 76. Saw three cops go zipping by about 20 minutes ago, no sirens but lights on. Heard some ambulance sirens in the distance but never saw any other emergency vehicles. Was just out on my balcony watching the chopper circle over the park a few times.

    By my estimation they have made about 25 passes or so, going no farther north than the P-Patch.

  • alki resident May 30, 2014 (11:16 pm)

    West Seattle simply needs their own chopper, seems almost everyday I hear about the police heli looking for someone around here. Never a dull moment anymore. I feel sorry for the neighborhood near the park,its bedtime and now this drama is unfolding.

  • Deecj May 30, 2014 (11:17 pm)

    Yep hear them above Tracy ann apt

  • Ariana Hannemann May 30, 2014 (11:17 pm)

    This evening around 7pm I called 911 to report a fight between two men at the children’s play area at Lincoln Park. There were at least 25 children playing at the park while two men had a very physical fight and their friends just watched. After I called police, the men continued to fight and while I was promised that somebody would come by to take a look and show a presence, we were there for another hour and no police ever showed up. The group who were fighting moved up to the bathroom area at the north end of the park – I certainly hope that this has nothing to do with the earlier incident that was not followed up on.

    • WSB May 30, 2014 (11:26 pm)

      Ariana, thanks. That likely explains the auto-tweet mentioning a “fight disturbance” earlier in the evening.

  • The Truth May 30, 2014 (11:20 pm)

    They are circling from Gatewood Elem to about the ferry doc. They have slowed the pattern so I hope they have eyes on the perps.

  • Danielle May 30, 2014 (11:22 pm)

    Hearing the helicopters right now and instantly came here to see what’s going on! thanks WSB!! hope they catch them soon! kinda freaky!!

  • Jen May 30, 2014 (11:28 pm)

    I’m on Thistle not far from the park and they continue to cover this area in their search, making me think they are not having much luck yet.

  • Winston May 30, 2014 (11:29 pm)

    I’m glad my 3 year old is a heavy sleeper. That helicopter sounds like its on my roof. They must be using infrared or night vision because I don’t see a spotlight as they circle.

  • sara May 30, 2014 (11:34 pm)

    whaaaaaat is going ooonnnnnn?

  • Jennifer May 30, 2014 (11:37 pm)

    The choppers have been sounding like they’re right over our house for over half an hour. . .just fading a bit now, and coming back. They got really loud. I thought, “Better check the blog”, checked and then ran around closing and locking doors. Thanks, WSB!

  • Jen May 30, 2014 (11:44 pm)

    Seems to be a focus on the south side of the park area now.

  • WestSB May 30, 2014 (11:44 pm)

    Anything new with the chopper scene if they cought anybody or do they got eyes on them?!

    • WSB May 30, 2014 (11:46 pm)

      Basically Guardian One has spotted people in the park but the first group they looked at apparently weren’t the ones they were looking for.

  • No, No, No May 30, 2014 (11:49 pm)

    An hour and the cops never showed up? While not surprised, I do have to state that the false sense of security many of us live under that “the cops will be there” is simply not the case. The police’s inability (and in some cases refusal, frankly) to follow up in a timely manner is exactly why concealed carry is an important right worth exercising. As I write, I can still hear the helicopters circling the park. They can’t be everywhere; we have to look out after ourselves. And yeah, not showing up for a disturbance like this near a playground earlier? Unacceptable.

  • TS May 30, 2014 (11:54 pm)

    FLIR

    Quite considerate really.

    I am looking up at G1 now from just west of 35th.

  • Dave May 30, 2014 (11:55 pm)

    Just drove by minimart at north end of park @11:30 and two patrol cars were there. My thought was a holdup.

    • WSB May 31, 2014 (12:01 am)

      Dave, we’re suspecting that but I just hate to assume.

  • Misty May 31, 2014 (12:01 am)

    Live across from Lincoln and was woke up by this. First thought after fully waking up was to come here and sure enough WSB has the 411. Thanks for the info! Hope they find them soon and without incident. This old lady needs her sleep!!

  • D Del Rio May 31, 2014 (12:09 am)

    Does anybody know what was going on at the Westwood Village McDonald’s?? There was a huge police presence about an hour ago. At first I thought these two incidents were related.

  • JY in WS May 31, 2014 (12:21 am)

    @No, No, No: Sure hope I don’t inadvertently trip over my shoelace while walking by your house after dark. Instances of bad guys getting scared (or blown) away by heroic, pistol-packing good guys are far fewer than those of accidents or crimes of passion involving firearms carried by theoretically well-intentioned citizens.

  • Misty May 31, 2014 (12:22 am)

    Ahhhhh peace and quiet finally. Hope everyone is ok. Don’t like this crap going down in my ‘hood. If guilty of robbing the convenience store, I wish a thousand kicks to the crotch on the perps. Thanks again WSB for keeping us informed. Goodnight all.

  • Eric1 May 31, 2014 (12:25 am)

    So tired of criminals. I mean how bad can life be if you have to hold up a mini-mart? Profit of $40 max after 10:00 PM. Split between 3-4 people since they are looking for a group? Come on people. If you worked for a day at minimum wage you would get $60 each. This is a good example of why you shouldn’t do drugs: you could become as smart as these geniuses.
    .
    Hope the clerk is OK and may the perps resist arrest and let Fido have a meal.

    • WSB May 31, 2014 (12:30 am)

      I think an hour of Guardian One might be a new record. But thanks also to whomever is tweeting for SPD tonight, for finally confirming details – where and what.

  • Trileigh May 31, 2014 (1:06 am)

    Helicopter’s still out there over N end Lincoln Park. Sure hope they got the guy.

  • Rick May 31, 2014 (5:36 am)

    #JY in WS – Just don’t try attempt to rob or otherwise try to assault me and you have my solemn promise that I will not “blow you away”. You should try more inflamatory vernacular to make your point.

  • No, No, No May 31, 2014 (6:17 am)

    @YS. Thanks for your own “theatrical” interpretation of my comments. My point remains: the cops aren’t always going to be there for you, as the person’s post in this thread so clearly shows. But, you know. Keep pounding those 911 keys should the unthinkable ever happen to you (and I hope it doesn’t). Enjoy the wait.

  • Eric May 31, 2014 (7:37 am)

    So it started out as shoplifting, but then the suspect pulled out a knife? Does this technically then equate with armed robbery or is that just with money?

    • WSB May 31, 2014 (8:56 am)

      Yes, it is armed robbery, same as with someone holding people up for phones…

  • Mindawg May 31, 2014 (4:28 pm)

    WSB, you said they clarified the details. Can you share? Were they caught?

  • John Moses Browing May 31, 2014 (5:18 pm)

    @JY

    Do you have a source for the information given in your emotionally charger rhetoric?

  • Liz May 31, 2014 (10:41 pm)

    So would someone please explain what benefit there would be to either Seattle or White Center if White Center annexed to Seattle. Seems like a REALLY dumb idea to me.

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