New details about Saturday morning’s Morgan Junction street robbery/carjacking attempt are in the official police report we have just obtained, as well as the reason for the subsequent search in Gatewood. Until now, as weekend WSB readers are aware, most of what we knew came via comments (here and here) plus a bit of information we procured by finding an SPD sergeant at an unrelated scene post-search. So far, no word of any arrests, but we hope to hear more directly from Southwest Precinct police during tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting. Ahead, we’ve transcribed the report’s narrative, since this is a high-interest incident, the third street robbery in three days in West Seattle at the time (no reports of any since Saturday):
(Officers) responded to a report of a robbery and carjacking at (4200 block of) SW Morgan. Upon arrival I contacted (victim) at the above-listed location. He advised his vehicle was parked in the south side of the store parking lot. He further advised that the incident actually occurred southeast of this location.
I walked with (victim) to (6700 block of) 42nd SW, where he informed that he was first contacted by the suspects who ultimately ran south and east from the location.
Victim states that he parked and secured his vehicle on the southeast corner of 42nd/Holly. He began walking northbound on the west side of the street. When he arrived in front of (6700 block residence) a black male described as above (unidentified #1) was walking southbound toward him and asked for the time. Victim opened up his cell phone to look and informed him it was 7:13. Suspect then displayed a handgun and pointed it at his face ordering victim “Give me your car keys!” Victim states he told him no and started to walk off when another black male, tall and skinny, put his fist against his back. Two suspects who were walking on the east side of the street crossed over and he was surrouned by four black male teens and one Hispanic teen.
They all had on scarves or handkerchiefs covering their face except the one with the handgun. The taller black male described above began to go through victim’s pockets and he informed him, the keys weren’t in his pocket. He was ordered again to give up his car keys and he complied. They asked for the location of his car and victim advised them.
The taller black male continued to go through his pockets and took his wallet, pen, and keys from his right front pants pocket. Two of the suspects walked up to his car and opened it. They could not figure out how to start the vehicle (it is a pushbutton ignition) and he heard one of them ask, “Where does the key go?” They yelled and asked how to start the car and victim explained, put your foot on the brake and push the button. They continued to struggle and asked again. Suspect with the gun gave it to the taller black male (who was still behind him) and walked up to the car to assist with getting the car started. One of the other suspects came back to assist with victim. They then ordered victim to walk up to the car and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t comply. He walked up to the southwest corner across from his car and the suspects were able to get it started. All suspects jumped in the car and attempted to drive off northbound. They only went a few feet and ended up striking the curb. They then exited the vehicle and threw the keys across the street which landed near victim’s feet. They told him that if he said anything or called the police they would come back and kill him.
Suspects proceeded northbound on 42nd SW and eastbound on Heights Ave SW. Victim then drove his car to its current location. Victim further advises that during the incident one of the suspects recognized him as an employee of the store. Suspect said, “You’re the one who took the bottle of alcohol from me I had stole.”
(Two K-9 teams) responded to the scene. K94 tracked to the greenbelt south of 38th SW/SW Frontenac. En route they discovered a (card) with victim’s name. I later responded to the area of 40th/SW Frontenac to retrieve the item. (A witness) was out walking his dogs and found the card in front of (4000 block) SW Frontenac. He had picked it up and when he saw me checking the area he informed me and turned the card over to me. Victim confirms it had been in his wallet and I returned it to him.
(Witness) advised that he was out getting his newspaper around 0700 hours and observed three subjects walking eastbound on SW Frontenac on the north side of the street. This is consistent with the description given by victim and the direction of the canine track. (Officers) were unable to locate suspects after an extensive search with K9. (Officer) responded to attempt to lift prints from victim’s vehicle.
That’s where the report ends. It contains no further description information; we’re asking again if anything more is available, and will add anything we get. And again, if you have questions/concerns about this or anything else that’s been happening in West Seattle/South Park, police will be on hand as always at tonight’s WS Crime Prevention Council meeting, 7 pm at the precinct meeting room, off Webster west of Delridge.
ADDED 1:18 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Drew Fowler says the description to which that phrase points, elsewhere in the report, is only this: “black male, 5’1”, ~200 lbs, wearing dark clothing.”
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