38 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Chased, arrested, released; plea for witness tips; two reader reports"

• dsa February 22, 2018 (11:16 pm)

  It upsets me that the 30 yo man is out of jail before his victim is out of ICU.  I have an idea how it works, it just doesn’t seem fair.

• Flimflam February 22, 2018 (11:34 pm)

  I’m sure the guy with the meth and bag full of stolen stuff has seen the error of his ways, great decision to let him free!

• Rod Moody February 22, 2018 (11:41 pm)

  Why bother even arresting them? Waste of time.

• Alki Resident February 23, 2018 (12:19 am)

  It was I that called police regarding the California/Mills incident. My daughters boyfriend pursued him in his car to not lose sight of him until police could show up. Oddly enough he ended up tackling the guy in the Thriftway parking lot when the suspect took off running from police. We were mind blown to learn all the possessions he had on him so I’m happy he was caught but I’m not thrilled he is back out of jail. I’m very happy with the police response this time and I hope the dept. will somehow show appreciation to my daughters boyfriend for apprehending the suspect for them. In the meantime, I will be treating him to a steak dinner somewhere. 

  • WSB February 23, 2018 (1:17 am)

    Thanks, I heard a mention of tackling in a conversation with the precinct lt. who finally was able to look up the incident # for me in the afternoon, but then when I finally got the superform from proseutors, nothing about that was mentioned in the very short narrative, so what you see above is the entirety of what I had to work with. Only reason I even have this is because a couple people saw the police response and asked later and it sounded worth pursuing. I recognized the name from a Puget Ridge incident last year. Hope your daughter’s boyfriend is OK, I see there was an associated aid call for somebody.

    • Alki resident February 23, 2018 (7:01 am)

      Yes, the suspect all of a sudden couldn’t speak English, 3 of us talked to him with clear English, then he faked slumping over once handcuffed. Quite a show he put on. I think he was taken to hospital, not sure. 

• Anonymous February 23, 2018 (12:27 am)

  You left out the part about the man being tackled down by one of the witnesses after the police couldn’t catch up to him. 

• Alki Resident February 23, 2018 (12:38 am)

  I also want to add, he had a motorcycle helmet and wire hanger when I saw him. For those riders who leave your helmets on your bikes, don’t, it’s an easy take for these guys. 

• Jon February 23, 2018 (1:34 am)

  Vote differently next election. I can tell you that I’m not even voting for my ideal candidates anymore; just anyone who purposes to do the exact opposite of the current state and city government in matters like these.

  As for cameras: screw them in and turn off the pointless IR flood (which makes them easier to see); use a motion light to provide enough light to your camera, instead. Netgear will be putting out their own motion light system for that camera next month.

• anonyme February 23, 2018 (6:23 am)

  I’m sure that one scary afternoon in jail completely cured this guy of his meth habit, as well as any urge to steal to support it.  Out on his own recognizance, ‘cuz we wouldn’t want to cause him any hardship now, would we?  (Sarcasm, in case it wasn’t obvious.)

  Trouble is, many of these judges run unchallenged, so you can’t even vote them out.   I’m not sure why we even pretend to have laws in Seattle any more…

• Sarah February 23, 2018 (7:41 am)

  Personal recognizance, eh? What could possibly go wrong?

• Paul February 23, 2018 (8:08 am)

  Are you %&*$ing kidding me?  That weak judge decided this guy was not going to be a threat anymore? What is wrong with you Seattle Judicial system?   Don’t tell me the jails are  “over crowded” and criminals have to sleep on the floor or eat canned beef for meals.     This guy will go right back to stealing for his habit tonight. (and don’t tell me we should take pity on him because of his “sickness”). He is a crook. Treat him as such, and keep him in jail until he can be arraigned and tried.

• Paul February 23, 2018 (8:09 am)

  WSB,

  Can we find out what judge let this guy go on his own recognizance?    

  • WSB February 23, 2018 (8:55 am)

    Short answer, I don’t know. Long answer – The hearings at this level, unlike Superior Court hearings, do not generate a document that appears in the public online files. Hearings at this point in the process are held in jailhouse courtrooms with one judge presiding for multiple cases throughout the afternoon. This is the best I can do, and it’s more than anyone else bothers to do. I wish we could go downtown for all these hearings in cases of interest and watch firsthand so we would have all that info but a variety of reasons make that infeasible (and for example, I wasn’t able to find out until 2 pm that this guy had been scheduled for a 12:30 hearing).

• MJ February 23, 2018 (8:56 am)

  The system is BROKEN.  As a long time resident and a victim of an assault I am frustrated with what is happening.  Catch and release does not work!

  • Seattlite February 23, 2018 (9:04 am)

    Seattle is broken in more ways than one.  The only advice to offer is to do research before voting in lenient judges.

• wscommuter February 23, 2018 (9:06 am)

  I realize that it fills an emotional need to be frustrated at a defendant being released  but it is actually quite standard for the the simple reason that the King County Jail is significantly overcrowded on a systemic basis.  Individuals who commit less serious crimes and who don’t have a history of failing to appear for court get released all the time pending trial.  And the vast majority of them do, in fact, then show up for their court dates and go on to be prosecuted and punished.  Just a fact.  So being frustrated with the judge is misplaced.  

  If you want these people held in jail for less serious crimes, contact your legislators and urge them to raise your taxes to build another jail.  

  But I don’t much expect folks will do that.  

  • West Seattle since 1979 February 23, 2018 (9:33 am)

    Some people are saying vote everyone out of office or vote the opposite political side to what we normally vote.  Would that help (and would it be worth it?  

  • WSB February 23, 2018 (9:35 am)

    WSC, I always appreciate your knowledgeable context. But ***very anecdotally*** I have seen more people, even with notable records, getting OR instead of bail recently. My observation is not scientific, as we do not and cannot cover every arrest in West Seattle – just the ones of note that we find out about. And yeah, so they’ll show up for their hearings… but then there’s the issue of whether they re-offend while awaiting prosecution, or the next hearing. Recent case of note, Nicholas Watson, whose arrest was trumpeted in SPD Blotter – and then we followed up, finding it was his fourth arrest already this year with no charges filed in any of the cases – until this one. And yes, I know there are so many factors that go into the process (besides being a longtime journalist, I’m also the daughter of a lawyer who spent time in both the prosecuting and public-defense systems). As for jail overcrowding … I’ll have to check on that one. For those interested in stats, they’re available online: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/jails/about/dajd-stats.aspx – but I’m not seeing “population vs. capacity” – TR

    • CAM February 23, 2018 (10:29 am)

      Jail overcrowding can be a complex issue that is not always reflected purely in numbers. Inmates are held in specific custody levels with different types of units within the jail being set to manage those different types of individuals. Having a jail be at or near capacity severely limits the jail’s ability to properly classify and house inmates to ensure both their safety and the safety of everyone working in the jail as well. It’s also worth noting that jail time (pre or post conviction) is not effective statistically in reducing recidivism (except for the time they are in jail) for property, drug, and other low level crimes. It is the reason that alternative sentencing has been created and implemented, not some bleeding heart liberal conspiracy (I know you aren’t suggesting that WSB but others are headed in that direction). 

    • sam-c February 23, 2018 (10:36 am)

      What is OR?  (did a cntrl F, and waded through some of the 165 selections, but didn’t find the answer for that acronym)(I’m in a field other than law and order, so don’t know the lingo)

      • WSB February 23, 2018 (10:49 am)

        “own recognizance”

  • CommAdvo February 23, 2018 (6:21 pm)

    @WSCOMMUTER & CAM; well said! I have over 25 years experience in the Restorative Justice field including as a former Jail & Community Corrections Administrator, Community Corrections Officer (i.e. Parole Officer) & Police Officer and it is a VERY complex issue, that is often misinterpreted, but I think both of you were eloquent in expressing that.

• pjmanley February 23, 2018 (9:07 am)

  “It’s just a property crime” too many will say.  They will let him out because he technically didn’t hurt anyone with his crimes.  Of course we know different, but the city government we pay for doesn’t care about your property.  They are instead largely jealous and resentful that you own it to begin with.  @Jon up-thread is right.   However you’ve been voting has been wrong, and it’s time to do a complete 180 in the next election, or else watch your neighborhood slide further into the sewer as your public servants celebrate your losses.  This stuff doesn’t happen without enabling accomplices downtown.  

  • Lagartija Nick February 23, 2018 (10:03 am)

    “They are instead largely jealous and resentful that you own it to begin with.”

    “…as your public servants celebrate your losses.”

    Are these hyperbolic and completely unhinged statements expected to get us to vote Republican?

    I’m all for reforming the revolving door of our criminal justice system but baseless accusations such as these don’t persuade me to want to support your views. In fact, it does quite the opposite.

• Michelle February 23, 2018 (9:14 am)

  This story makes me so angry and sad at how we treat our good hard working folks in Seattle. No respect for the people paying all the bills.  It is so frustrating!!!!!     Thank-You WSB for bringing us all the stories and trying to give the good people of West Seattle some reality on how our legal system is working. (OR IS NOT WORKING))

• wetone February 23, 2018 (9:56 am)

  Maybe someone can ask Durkan on Saturday why people in cases such as this are released so quickly.  We see this all to often here in freeattle these days. The way SPD records incidents now also make it very hard to find info in so many cases as they work to cover up Seattle’s many criminal issues these days. Seattle Judicial system applies laws very differently to people of Seattle. Those that work or own sometime usually pay a price/time for bad behavior, not so for the many other groups that have a criminal history or other… Until people wake up and start voting or voting differently, expect things to get worse, much more costly, dangerous and dirty here in Seattle.  Hope person that tackled suspect doesn’t get sued by suspect……………..

  • WSB February 23, 2018 (10:10 am)

    The jail, prosecuting attorney’s office, etc., judges presiding at the jailhouse, are part of the *county,* not the *city*.

• paul February 23, 2018 (10:31 am)

  @wscommuter….  you are right. My emotional need has been met. I am now complete.   Whew!  thank you for showing me that is what I needed.

  Are you kidding me?   Someone voices their disgust with the judicial system and you immediately tell them their feelings aren’t justified?  That’s rich.

  I don’t think it’s the lack of jails that make the criminals continue to commit crimes but the it’s the weak punishments. The guy was caught with Meth, stolen ids, mail theft (which is a federal crime!!!), burglary tools, credit cards and was witnessed he went to jail for a few hours and he’s back out?  I bet the judge gave his meth back to him and told him to keep warm this  weekend prowling in cars, it could snow!

  Yes that was sarcasm, but the point is made. We have crime because the punishments are not harsh enough. And I don’t think raising taxes to get more jails will help. But bring back hammurabi’s code. Let’s start cutting off the hands of the car and package thief.    

• waikiki..girl2 February 23, 2018 (11:15 am)

  @SamC…I’m in the same boat as you but saw the answer to “OR” these dang young whipper snappers! least I know this one LOL!!!

• EdSane February 23, 2018 (12:40 pm)

  This person has not been convicted of a crime. The judicial system has not failed in fact it seems to be working as intended. Unless they’re a flight risk or present a threat to life then they should be released pending trial. This country over uses and abuses the bail system to lock up people of lower economic status. Now this case sounds cut and dry but the policies we enact must apply to everyone.

• Question Authority February 23, 2018 (2:31 pm)

  When this individual “D bag” was released on his own recognizance and handed back his personal belongings he was booked with, what does that consists of?  Does he get back the burglary tools because he says he does side jobs as a carpenter, does he get back the shaved keys because one of them fits his own car?  Knowing Seattle they probably gave him his meth back because then he wouldn’t have to steal something to get more at a later date.  This system and the future is all broken here in Seattle with a justice system that has no consequence.

  • WSB February 23, 2018 (3:50 pm)

    Since you ask … Checking the superform/police report doc, it has a box that is titled “List valuable items or property left for arrestee at jail” – that box is empty. Right beneath it, there’s a box titled “List valuable items or property entered into evidence,” and in that box the officer who filled out the report wrote, “Debit cards, WA state identification, mail, all in other persons [sic] name, motorcycle helmet, pellet gun, tan backpack, misc burglary tools, multiple shaved keys.”

• Reality February 23, 2018 (3:40 pm)

  If everyone here that is mad at the system actually did something it would change for the better. The reality is that you all are happy to take the time to blog about the problem but are FULL of excuses as to why you don’t have the time to fix anything.  Your message is: THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND MUST BE FIXED;JUST DON’T ASK,OR EXPECT ME TO ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. To quote an old statement:” sir, I  have seen the enemy and he is us”.

• wscommuter February 23, 2018 (3:51 pm)

  WSC – I’m not defending this particular decision … just observing the fact about what ALL judges are dealing with (and the jail judges rotate regularly).  The capacity of the jail is limited (and yes, CAM is correct – the jail necessarily houses different catagories of offenders in different ways, including being the second largest mental health facility in the state, after WSH).  Capacity isn’t just about bodies, its about which bodies they have.

  So reality is there isn’t capacity to keep and house all the not-yet-convicted persons accused of property crimes without other compelling reasons to do so, such as a history of failing to appear, or other criminal history that suggests danger of violence.  Just being a repeat offender or drug addict isn’t enough.  

  @Paul … no … I’m simply pointing out that ignorant ranting – see your comments -may feel good but they accomplish nothing.  And by all means – push your legislators to increase punishments for all the crimes you think are too softly punished now.  That’s what representative democracy is all about.  But do know who to talk to – judges have no control over punishment ranges – those are set in Olympia by your elected  representatives.  Judges are obliged to impose sentences within statutorily mandated ranges.  Property crimes have lower ranges that violent crimes.  Probably you and I agree that punishments should be greater, in part, to dis-incentivize recidivism.  You might be surprised if you took the time to talk to a judge – any judge – about the constraints on their power and the realities they have to live with every day on the bench.  

  Having said that, I keep waiting to see the tough-on-crime crowd correlate that sentiment with the raise-my-taxes requirement to pay for all the extra punishment you wish to dole out.  Not holding my breath on that one.  

• WSobserver February 23, 2018 (4:16 pm)

  This anonymous King county employee put up a post on reddit with a laundry list of crimes that would not be prosecuted by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – 

  
  

  -Criminal Trespass

  -Disorderly Conduct

  -Illegal Dumping

  -Failure to Transfer Title

  -Making a False Statement to a public servant

  -Malicious Mischief-3 (vandalism)

  -Possession of Stolen Property-3

  -Possession of Burglary Tools

  -Rendering Criminal Assistance

  -Theft-3 (theft of any property worth $750 or less)

  -Trafficking in stolen property

  -Unlawful bus conduct

  -Unlawful hunting

  -Unlawful fishing

  -Vehicle Prowl

  -VUCSA (violation of the uniformed controlled substance act)

  https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleWA/comments/7zag21/for_those_of_you_wondering_why_property_crime_in/

  • WSB February 23, 2018 (4:28 pm)

    We appreciate and use Reddit but this claim that cases involving those charges “between May 31 and December 31 (last year)” were dropped appears to be false. Most notably, as a verified Seattle Times member pointed out in the comment thread, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is NOT the office that handles misdemeanors – as I’ve mentioned in previous discussions, the City Attorney’s Office handles those; KCPAO handles felonies. – TR

  • CAM February 23, 2018 (5:27 pm)

    So, just for clarity’s sake…the person who posted this claimed their friend was a King County employee. They claim to be a municipal police officer for a municipality within King County, so they don’t work for King County and would not have first hand knowledge. Secondly, the poster specifically claimed that those offenses are misdemeanors but VUCSA charges are felonies, it would seem a cop would know that. Thirdly, none of this would apply to misdemeanor offenses committed within Seattle as those are prosecuted by the city, not the county. KCPAO does handle misdemeanor offenses in district court as the poster claimed but those would be outside of Seattle. Finally, I could likely rebut this but prefer not to have to find a new line of work. 

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