FOLLOWUP: Suspect arrested, charged in Hamilton Viewpoint Park robbery / North Delridge shooting

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(August 18th WSB photo: Detectives examine robbery/shooting victim’s car)

After Seattle Police announced today that they’ve arrested a suspect in last week’s robbery/shooting incident that began in North Admiral and ended in North Delridge, we learned the suspect not only is in jail, he’s already charged – in this case and in an earlier robbery on Capitol Hill. 23-year-old Mau Joseph Satele-Tafia of North Burien is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of second-degree assault. In both robberies, court documents say, he was after Gucci belts worn by the victims.

First – outside the Rancho Bravo restaurant on Capitol Hill on August 15th, Satele-Tafia is accused of holding up a man and stealing his Gucci belt; three nights later, in West Seattle’s Hamilton Viewpoint Park on August 18th, police say he held up another man for his backpack and then demanded the victim’s Gucci belt. The victim told police he refused to hand over the belt, walked away, and was fired at. Then, he said, he left the park and tried to make his way to the bridge but that the robber pursued him and as the victim tried to lose his pursuer along back roads, they all eventually winding up in North Delridge. That’s where Satele-Tafia allegedly fired shots at the victim’s car, one hitting him in the leg. Shell casings were found at 25th and Puget; from there, the victim drove a few more blocks south to Delridge and Findlay, where they stopped to call 911. The next day, police heard from someone who had surveillance video of the shooting. And they heard from a witness who said they had found the shooter on Twitter, under an alias similar to one he used on Facebook that was a factor in identification in the Capitol Hill case.

Police say they are investigating Satele-Tafia in other robberies; in the meantime, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says his bail was set at $750,000 and he remains in jail pending arraignment on September 3rd. His history, according to court documents, includes robbery and car-theft-related charges.

joel August 26, 2015 (7:35 pm)

and how long is the record of the criminal? pulling guns and shooting over a belt? that’s a new one. the second victim risked his life for his belt…not sure if that was a smart move.

Jason August 26, 2015 (8:01 pm)

Years in prison for a belt.

Jeff August 26, 2015 (8:34 pm)

If your goal is brand name accessories, and we’ve established that you are OK with criminal behavior to get it, isn’t shoplifting a lot lower risk than armed robbery? I don’t get it.

Eric1 August 26, 2015 (8:37 pm)

Belts? Isn’t Gucci kind of a girly brand? I mean aren’t they are famous for purses and bags? Perhaps I am not that fashion savvy.
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I also don’t go around looking at what kind of belts my fellow man is wearing. Gazing in that area on guys isn’t high on my list of things to do.
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In any case, I am glad they caught him and the bail actually seems appropriate. Thank you to the justice system.

Bradley August 26, 2015 (8:38 pm)

They don’t allow belts in prison, so his belt fixation will have to wait 5-10 years.

Gucci guy girlfriend August 26, 2015 (8:55 pm)

You’re right Eric1, your not very fashion savvy. Gucci is a hot brand for men and women. You don’t hear anyone getting robbed for a Levi belt. Glad he is caught!! Thanks WSB for keeping us informed.

Mark August 26, 2015 (9:03 pm)

This is the kind of person you lock the cell and throw away the key on. Easily could be murder if he had better aim.

Mike August 26, 2015 (9:31 pm)

There’s more to this story. Apparently Gucci belts are over $350. No normal person wears a $350+ belt, much less are two people held at gun point for a belt and both initially refuse to hand over a …belt… at gun point. What’s the relationship of these victims to the suspect, what’s the gang affiliation of all involved at these locations the day(S) of these incidents? Gang enforcement task force needs to start cracking down on this crap, it’s escalating out of hand to the point that now Tukwila is more dangerous than Chicago and the gang bangers hang out at the viewpoint and Alki. We all know it, they do nothing about it. Pathetic.

WSB August 26, 2015 (9:51 pm)

Yes, the stolen belt is listed in the charging docs as worth $356. The victim brought the receipt to show police; he bought it at a Nordstrom store on August 8th. I also mentioned that the suspect allegedly mentioned the name of a gang during the first robbery, in the context of, don’t mess with me, I’m (member of gang whatever). No gang affiliation is mentioned for either of the victims, nor any prior acquaintance with the suspect.
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On re-reading the charging papers, I neglected to mention that the suspect was arrested at the Department of Corrections office on 35th SW near Morgan day before yesterday; he was on DOC supervision (post-prison probation) for a motor-vehicle-theft-related charge. Since he apparently has served time in prison (for that and for a robbery conviction), I will be asking DOC for a photo tomorrow, and will add it here when I get it.
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TR

NM August 26, 2015 (9:43 pm)

Jeff, as a police officer once told me after I asked if I should set a lookout at my home after my car was stolen from work: “most criminals are not that smart… Don’t become a criminal”

kobdvs August 26, 2015 (10:02 pm)

@Mike … Wow – you just assume the victims had gang connections. Amazing. Why bother with facts?
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You and Donald Trump.

Mike August 27, 2015 (12:18 am)

kobdvs, have you even read any other news about this with more information? http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Charges-Man-sought-Gucci-belt-buckles-in-2-6465381.php
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The only one being Donald Trump is you, take a moment and do just a smidge of research. Use that crazy thing called Google.com, it’s amazing.

David Whiting, ANA President August 27, 2015 (12:24 am)

The Seattle Police and Parks Dept. will be attending the next Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, Tuesday September 8th at 7:00 pm at The Sanctuary. Crime prevention at Hamilton Viewpoint Park will the featured topic, we will also debrief and review of our Hiawatha Concert series.

Not an Admiral resident, but still concerned about local crime? There are community councils all across West Seattle attended by neighbors that share your concerns as well as the WS Crime Prevention Council and WS Block Watch Captain’s Network. This blog announces the meetings and agendas for all of these groups.

West Seattle since 1979 August 27, 2015 (6:20 am)

Mike, where does the article you linked to say the victims had gang connections? It says that the suspect stated he was a gang member, but not the victims.

Brenda August 27, 2015 (6:57 am)

And now dirtbags coming up
From viewpoint and car jacking on Palm Ave. GO BACK to where you came from freaks!

Ivan August 27, 2015 (8:44 am)

No one should be robbed at gunpoint, let’s be clear. But $356 for a belt? Barnum was right.

Eric August 27, 2015 (9:44 am)

You’re right Eric1, you must not be fashion savvy ( or I for that matter) to actually pay almost 400 dollars for a stupid belt. What kind of superficial materialistic fashion stuff status is that? I guess if it’s overpriced and expensive, it must be cool and fashion savvy

NORTH ADMIRAL NEIGHBOR August 27, 2015 (9:54 am)

Kobdvs I encourage you to go to Hamilton View Point tonight and just enjoy the view anytime from 7pm on.

kobdvs August 27, 2015 (10:55 am)

Do all the young people at Hamilton wear gang ID’s? Is that how we know?
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I’m all for policing the problem and keeping our neighborhood safer. No crime is tolerable. Just don’t much appreciate the “baby with the bathwater” mentality of some folks who want to automatically label people – kids – who happen to be of color as “gang members.” I’m sure some are … just like some white kids are in gangs. But too many commenters here see brown skin and think gang. A sad fact.

NORTH ADMIRAL NEIGHBOR August 27, 2015 (11:13 am)

@KOBDVS-The only comments on this thread that mention the color of skin are yours.
Many people just have common sense and are informed that unfortunately certain types of dress, colors and behavior represent gang type activities. These things have nothing to do with skin color and maybe it is you who should not jump to conclusions.

Mike August 27, 2015 (3:45 pm)

Surprised this convo took the racial profiling turn. But nowhere was that mentioned in an comment but the accuser. It’s not hard to identify trouble in a lot of these neighborhoods, white/black or orange. Bad people tend to gravitate toward others. Quit being so sensitive and make racial accusations

Rick August 27, 2015 (6:59 pm)

More like racebaiting than sensitivity.

Dr. Bob August 27, 2015 (11:19 pm)

$356 for a belt, $4 for a cupcake, and the beat goes on, and on, and on.

Clowns.
In a circus.
No tent.

Robert September 1, 2015 (7:58 pm)

the same guy that spends 4-500 for a belt then spends 5-6ooo for rims then whines because they got stolen off his 20year old car..we are financing real rocket scientists….