West Seattle Crime Watch: Shooting verdict; break-in attempt; recognize this bicycle?

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

(WSB photo, April 2013)

VERDICT IN CHARLESTOWN/AVALON SHOOTING: More than two years after two men were shot in an exchange of gunfire during a robbery attempt at Charlestown and Avalon, the would-be robber has been found guilty of two charges, first-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to King County Superior Court documents. Juan Garcia-Mendez was 19 years old when he shot, and was shot by, then-27-year-old Rick Powell, who he targeted while Powell was taking a break during a driving-for-hire shift. Garcia-Mendez had gotten out of prison in Yakima just four days earlier, and that fact represented “special circumstances” in the verdict. Powell was a musician as well as a driver, and friends and fans organized multiple benefits during and after the two-plus weeks he spent in the hospital. Garcia-Mendez is scheduled for sentencing on September 11th; he’s been in jail since the day after the shooting in April 2013. (Thanks to the tipster who let us know about the verdict; the case had so many delays over the two-plus years, it had fallen off our watch list.)

BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Photo and report received via text (206-293-5302 any time) today:

As we were walking back in to our apartment building this morning, we noticed that the doorknob had been damaged and that there were fresh scratches on the metal guard. It looks like someone tried to pry their way into our building overnight. People in the area should make sure they’re keeping their doors/cars locked up! We are at Andover and California.

Yes, they reported it to police.

MISSING A BICYCLE? Photo and report e-mailed tonight by David:

Is this your bike? Abandoned on sidewalk in front of my property near the intersection of Frontenac and 47th…still there. Dropped off this morning by a sketchy looking individual.

5 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Shooting verdict; break-in attempt; recognize this bicycle?"

  • alki resident August 10, 2015 (12:03 am)

    Regarding the bike, wasn’t a car stolen from 47th and Frontenac today? They probably came there with the bike and stole a car.

    • WSB August 10, 2015 (12:25 am)

      Good catch! Tweets by Beat lists an auto theft or auto theft/recovery in 4600 block of Frontenac this morning:
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      https://twitter.com/SeattlePDW3/status/630444689561399297
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      No other details, so it could be either a theft or a stolen car, found (or motorcycle, even – they are classified as “auto” for theft purposes). But of course as you know, police do say thieves often steal one vehicle (bicycles included) to either get to the next scene of the crime or next vehicle.

  • Genesee Resident August 10, 2015 (9:39 am)

    There has been lots of activity recently in the area around Andover / Charleston and 47th, 48th, 49th. Our car was broken into on Saturday night — I’m filing a police report this morning. Definitely a good reminder to keep things locked up!

  • David August 10, 2015 (10:41 pm)

    Any advice on what to do with the bike?

    • WSB August 11, 2015 (2:03 am)

      I would report it to police if it’s still there. Likely stolen and maybe they can match it with a case …

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