WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Pigeon Point gunfire; Arbor Heights suspect out; more…

| Crime | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning:

(WSB photo, added 10:21 am)

GUNFIRE ON PIGEON POINT: Last night before midnight (while we were covering the “heavy rescue” crash in North Admiral), we heard police dispatched to reports of possible gunfire on Pigeon Point/North Delridge. This morning, a reader reports seeing a car with shot-out windows near 23rd and Andover, and we’ve just obtained details from SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson:

Last night, just after 11:00 pm, officers responded to several calls of shots fired in area of 23 Ave SW/SW Andover. Officers contacted witnesses who heard the shots. One person said they witnessed shots coming from a white car, another person stated it was a black car. Officers located a parked car in the 4000 block 23 Ave SW that had been struck by bullets. Officers found one shell casing and one bullet fragment near the intersection of 23/Andover.

No injuries were reported.

ARBOR HEIGHTS SUSPECT OUT: The man arrested after the Arbor Heights search on Monday morning, 28-year-old Matthew Melzer, is out of jail this morning after a plea bargain. According to Municipal Court records and the King County Jail Register, Melzer was cited for two counts of second-degree criminal trespassing (a misdemeanor) and pleaded guilty to one; the other was dropped and he was credited for time served, then released from jail at 8 am today.

READER REPORT – CAR PROWL: Just out of the inbox, from Jon:

I live between California Ave and 44th Street just off SW Hinds St. I awoke this morning to find my truck light on. Upon closer inspection, it appears that someone had rummaged through my truck as the console was open and things were strewn about the cab. Nothing appears to have been taken (as I don’t leave anything of value in there), but it’s frustrating nonetheless. If you live nearby, please keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

FOLLOWUP TODAY ON BELLEVUE POLICE’S ALKI RAID: Thanks to tips, we reported Monday on Bellevue Police arresting 2 at a house on 62nd SW. BPD told us it was related to a “series of burglaries” around the region and that more info would be forthcoming. Check back here on WSB later today, because we’re expecting to have that info soon – BPD is hosting a media briefing, with its police chief and Seattle PD Chief Kathleen O’Toole, at 11:30 am, announced with the intent “to discuss the dismantling of a major burglary ring in the region. The investigation that will be discussed is believed to be the largest burglary ring case in terms of loss value in the history of the city of Bellevue. Recovered stolen property and several seized vehicles will be on display. Some of the recovered items on display were stolen from a notable sports figure.” We’ll be there.

(ADDED) STOLEN TRAILER: As mentioned in the WSB Forums – be on the lookout:

2008, white, 5×7 TNT cargo trailer. Stolen from Fauntleroy & Othello between Tues Jan 24 9pm- Weds Jan 25 8am

No distinguishing marks or pictures, unfortunately. Lic # 7052VJ Washington

The trailer is completely FULL with my trade show display for working at the home & garden shows (backdrop, shelves, cookware)

Call police if you see it.

Josh January 25, 2017 (10:42 am)

Just curious, if anyone out there may know:

the 28yr old Matthew Melzer (above), and 30yr old Garrett Cimmery from the Beach Drive robbery a few weeks ago- how do we try to fix this chronic problem- these aren’t kids, and seem to get released and go on with doing the same things. Is it city council members we need to lobby, or what can we do as citizens?

B.W. January 25, 2017 (2:21 pm)

It’s part City Council and part Peter Holmes. They take property crimes and treat them as a minor nuisance. Which is why this these criminals can just continue to run rampant without any consequence. Unless you count a night in jail a real consequence. I’m certain we’ll see Matthew Melzer in our neighborhoods back to his normal activities. Seattle does not treat people like Melzer as a real criminal until he physically hurts someone, like the poor woman that was killed in Rainier Valley over her purse. But hey, if we continue electing the same people to run our city, we’ll continue to see Melzer running around doing crime.
Erico January 25, 2017 (4:11 pm)

Cimmery is out on bail and has not been tried and convicted. So maybe try to repeal the 8th amendment of the Constitution?
- Double Dub Resident January 26, 2017 (3:22 am)
  
  They’re referring to all the people who have been tried, convicted and then got a really itsy teeny itty-bitty slap on the wrist for it and is using Meltzer as what will most likely be another example.
  
  But I’m glad your hyper PCness is looking out for the “most likely convicted” criminal, cause I’m real real sure it was just a misunderstanding and he’s a victim of circumstance

rico January 25, 2017 (11:35 am)

We are left with but one realistic option, resolve it on your own. The justice system certainly is not looking out for you when it comes to this type of crime.

Erico January 25, 2017 (4:04 pm)

Are you advocating vigilantism? If so – WSB are you ok with this?
- Shannon January 25, 2017 (8:58 pm)
  
  Thank your for asking this question,
- Eric1 January 25, 2017 (9:30 pm)
  
  It wouldn’t necessarily be vigilante actions where you look for trouble. It would be more of a case of defending yourself. It isn’t about walking the streets looking for the perps but if my neighbors house attracted that kind of attention, 30-45 seconds would probably be enough time to take matters into your own hands. I agree there isn’t much you can do about porch pirates or people who break into your car given the soft on crime city but I don’t think too many people will shed a tear if somebody got hurt while stealing.
  - Andy January 26, 2017 (6:47 am)
    
    I’d be very careful about that sort of thing. A few years ago, somewhere in the Seattle area, a young man went outside to confront a couple of scumbags who were in the process of stealing his car, and one of them wound up dead witha bullet in the back. The guy whose car was being stolen was convicted of second degree murder.

Steve January 25, 2017 (7:17 pm)

The gunshots on 23rd happened twice. First was about 7 shots, after about a 30-45 sec pause 4 more shots. There was more than 1 shooter, 2 different guns.

anonyme January 26, 2017 (7:59 am)

Is there a mug shot of Melzer available?

I think one reasonable approach to dealing with these scumbags is to make their photos widely available, so that alerts can go out anywhere and any time they are spotted in our neighborhoods. If the poor things are harassed in some way – too bad, so sad.

WSB January 26, 2017 (11:07 am)

The local policies regarding mugshots haven’t changed. The only way they are available for publication is if the person has served time with the state Department of Corrections, and/or if s/he is a registered sex offender.

I can’t tell whether Melzer has served prison time (that’s state prison, not county jail) but am asking the DOC if they have a photo on file, and am also asking about a couple other people who we’ve reported on this week. It’s the only way to get a clear pic aside from sentencing hearings … arraignments are still held in the cattle-call courtroom on the top floor of the county courthouse where people are herded in and out behind several rows of lawyers, deputies, other defendants, etc., AND behind a glass window.

If I get a photo, I’ll add it. – TR
- WSB January 26, 2017 (11:36 am)
  
  And … Nothing in the DOC files for him. Of four mugshots I just asked about, the only one available is for a guy I haven’t even written about yet (convicted in the past of burglaries here, out of prison and in trouble again but not in West Seattle).