West Seattle Crime Watch: Middle-schooler robbed

| Crime | West Seattle news

Just found out about this via a routine check of the police-report map: A middle-school student walking to catch a school bus this morning told police that two men knocked him down and robbed him.

The report says the 14-year-old was walking past Myrtle Reservoir, on his way to cross 35th SW to get to a bus stop for Madison Middle School, when two men came up to him, asked something about catching a bus, pushed him down, and stole his backpack, with his laptop inside. They then got into a black SUV and left southbound on 36th SW. Along with police, Seattle Fire was called around 7:30 am to check out the victim, who said his right arm hurt because the robbers pushed him to the ground on the right side. They are described as white males, one about 30, 5’9″, with dark stubble on his face, wearing a dark beanie, black military-style field jacket, and dark pants. The other one was described only as being dressed in similar clothing. The stolen laptop is described as a new black Toshiba Satellite with a Canada-flag sticker.

iggy January 15, 2015 (3:02 pm)

Tracy: Did the police report give the time of day, other than “on his way to catch the bus for school?” Our Lady of Guadaloupe Parish and School are across 35th.

WSB January 15, 2015 (3:12 pm)

7:24 am is when police were called. The aid call was at 7:30 am. I remember seeing it and wondering if it were a car crash, which would have affected our routine morning traffic coverage, but it closed very quickly. Will add time to story.

Veronica Solorio January 15, 2015 (3:07 pm)

Yesterday, at a bus stop by Westwood Village, two guys attempted to rob me, no joke. Luckily I was stronger and they failed to get away with my bag. Both the guys seemed younger than 30, and they weren’t white, so I highly doubt it was the same duo. Either way, I think it’s sad people can’t go out and not have to worry about personal safety.

buttercup January 15, 2015 (3:49 pm)

last Thursday morning, early a man was robbed at the bustop across from Target. Luckily a bus driver ran to his defense and helped him, police were called. This bus stop is dangerous and if possible should be avoided. sad about the issues there.

Barb korducki January 15, 2015 (4:09 pm)

i drop my son off near there at the same time to wait for his bus to Kenedy. Thanks for the reports. I will tell him to be very alert

G January 15, 2015 (4:10 pm)

That is the most depressing, sketchy bus stops I’ve ever had the misfortune to wait at – anywhere.

Eric1 January 15, 2015 (6:11 pm)

It would be nice if Metro wouldn’t have “invented” a bus transit hub across Westwood Village. No parking, no security, and very little lighting. I understand people need to catch the bus but I wish Metro’s major criteria for planning was safety and not how can we get this done as cheaply as possible. I don’t think you could pick a worse spot to make people wait for a bus. Five feet behind the stop there are acres of darkness filled with urban predators.

DefenseDean January 15, 2015 (8:08 pm)

Keep yr head up and phone tucked away, no earbuds/headphones. Stand strong with a wide stance, keep yr head on a swivel and let them know you are aware awake and not an easy target.

justme January 15, 2015 (8:16 pm)

@Eric1

I so agree with you! Westwood and 3rd and Pike are both hell holes if you ask me and others I stand with. I avoid them as much as I can. In fact, since crime is on the rise in the Westwood Village area I never shop there anymore.

DaCo January 15, 2015 (8:27 pm)

This news makes me incredibly sad. Poor kid.
I was just at that park last week
With my 3 year old.

LyndaB January 15, 2015 (10:00 pm)

I definitely agree one must be extra alert. So often do I encounter UW students glued to their phones they have no awareness around them. It’s lame they have to steal from anybody.

Heidi A January 15, 2015 (10:53 pm)

What’s wrong is that Seattle Public Schools has assigned the Gatewood neighborhood middle school student to Far away Madison AND expect 6th – 8th graders to get there safely on metro. SPS should be providing bus service with safe stops. Middle school is too young to take on all of the responsibilities and risks of living in a big city.

anonyme January 16, 2015 (6:20 am)

I work near Westwood, and agree with Eric. I’m considering finding another job as I just don’t feel safe around there any more. I grew up in Detroit, so it’s not that I’m not street savvy. I quit going to McDonald’s, as drug addicts and transients have taken over. The area around the park entrance is a syringe littered toilet.

sc January 16, 2015 (7:40 am)

@Defense Dean
Good advice for all! So many people waiting at bus stops are oblivious to their surroundings. Also medical people are saying that with your head (weighing 8 pounds) bent to watch your Ipod, you will have neck strain.
I think they call it “tech neck”!

Evan January 16, 2015 (8:50 am)

I was the one that was robbed it happened at 7:15 at the park on myrtle the same thing happened about a month ago men targeting people with backpacks a few blocks down

margaret from vashon January 16, 2015 (9:21 am)

It is terrifying that this is the connection for those of us who want to take the bus to and from the airport after using the ferry. I did it a couple of months ago and my heart was in my throat the whole time. A middle-aged lady hauling her huge suitcase a target much?

What do I offer as options to guests arriving at SEATAC in the future?

WSB January 16, 2015 (9:31 am)

Margaret – do you mean Westwood? Since this comment discussion has veered far from the original story, I just want to make sure anyone dropping in knows that the crime this story is about happened at 36th/Myrtle. Actually haven’t had any robbery reports out of Westwood/Roxhill Park lately. I just checked the reports map again – one robbery case in the past month there; someone eating dinner at an unidentified restaurant (described as 2500 block Barton) was accosted on 12/29 by someone who stole his backpack with electronics; he gave chase, the robber punched him and kept running.
- WSB January 16, 2015 (1:44 pm)
  
  … and in reference to the earlier exchange, I’m sorry to say that, while I didn’t know it at the time, a kid walking to Sealth was robbed of her phone this morning. Just heard from her mom. Separate story to come.

mom of 6 January 16, 2015 (9:41 am)

Evan I am very sorry this happened to you. Did it happen to you twice? Maybe you could buddy up with another person, you can get your parents to walk with you.

QS January 16, 2015 (1:55 pm)

SPS cut transportation so far down to the bone that families living up to two miles from the school are forced to drive their kids to school,or if they can’t then they are forced to send their kids out alone into the cold, dark morning to walk or catch a city bus (no Orca card provided) to school. Little eleven year old kids. It’s sad.

G January 16, 2015 (2:26 pm)

Margaret,

Unfortunately, there aren’t any other options. Public transportation has gone to hell, frankly, and we’re paying more for the priviledge.

Laura January 16, 2015 (4:53 pm)

To the 14 year old. Your amazing! What a great description of the guys who robbed you. As for them, cowards. Really? It took 2 of you to rob this boy. A proud moment in your life.

Sorry, comment time is over.