CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Stolen fish recovered, as bycatch

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Early this morning, police were back at the Puget Ridge home of repeat offender Gregory Thompson in the 7100 block of 18th SW. We’ve reported on him previously in connection with previous arrests including this case in February in which guns and drugs were recovered. This morning, police confirm to WSB that while they were at his house in connection with an unrelated case, they recovered most if not all of the fish stolen from Seattle Fish Company, in the Thursday morning heist reported here last night. The King County Jail Register shows Thompson was booked this morning for investigation of tampering. We don’t have details yet on that case but will add anything more we find out.

kravitz June 15, 2018 (11:02 am)

Excellent that they caught the guy and he’s been booked into King County Jail, but WHY does the city continue to give this POS chances to reoffend time and time again? Seattle is turning into a hell scape. Petty theft, drug abuse, the homeless crisis, trash everywhere. This used to be such a beautiful and welcoming city. I’m embarrassed now, to call it home.

Fed Up June 15, 2018 (11:20 am)

AGREED!
CAM June 15, 2018 (11:35 am)

The city isn’t releasing anyone who is charged with a felony. That would be the county.
heartless June 15, 2018 (11:51 am)

K & FU:One of the issues (if we can call it that) with increasing density is that even if crime per capita goes down (meaning you are less likely to ever be a victim) more crimes can occur. And of course as more crimes occur there are more news reports of crime, more people talking about it, etc. All of that can make it feel like the city is more violent or scary (since we all use availability heuristics to judge our environments)–but the thing is, it’s really not.Most of the easy-to-get crime stats don’t cover recent years, but those stats I could find (based on US DoJ & FBI UCR pages) show that crime rates have been going down since, for example, the mid 90s. A quick query I ran shows that as the Seattle population rose from 540k in 1994 to 663k in 2014 the violent crime rate went from 1,210 to 604. The rates of murder, rape, robbery, assault & property crime also went way down.I don’t know if you were in Seattle in 1994, but if you think it’s a “hell scape” now… I mean, you must have really hated it in the past.
- kravitz June 15, 2018 (4:47 pm)
  
  Actually yes, @heartless. I was born here in 1973 and have lived here all but 3.5 years in which I went to school out of state. Sadly, I’ve also been a victim of violent crime in Seattle – strong armed robbery and assault in the first degree in 2004. So while whatever query you ran shows numbers that indicate violent crimes have gone down, I wasn’t referring to violent crimes in my original exasperated post above. And I ‘m still not. I’m beyond frustrated that our neighborhood is continually plagued by package theft, auto break-ins/theft, tools stolen from sheds, construction sites – you name it. Petty, non-viloent theft – to feed a habit and addiction. And regarding the trash, do you enjoy seeing the garbage that is strewn at the sides of freeway onramps and offramps, or in the West Seattle Junction? The beer cans? The feces? The occassional used needle? Just yesterday I walked the passageway between Puerta Vallarta restaurant and Northwest Art and Frame, and found an abandoned shopping cart full of garbage and all of the above next to pile of human waste. Again, not violent – just a massive eyesore and a health risk. That’s the hell scape I am referring to. And yes, I’m tired of it.
- heartless June 15, 2018 (6:24 pm)
  
  Hi Kravitz,
  
  A few (slightly disorganized, my apologies) responses:
  
  You specifically did refer to “petty crime” which for all intents and purposes has been steadily declining.
  
  It is absolutely awful that you were a victim of crime–I am so sorry.
  
  If that was a serious question on your part (I doubt it was, but still), no, I do not enjoy seeing garbage.
  
  I have never meant to imply that homelessness is not a huge problem. It is. But even with increasing homelessness taken into account, Seattle has a demonstrably lower crime rate than it has had in the past.
  
  I in no way mean to diminish your experiences–or say hey, crime and trash are okay–but it is important to note that crime in Seattle is, overall, NOT increasing. And this is a good thing.

M.B. June 15, 2018 (11:12 am)

They recovered the fish, but will they be able to sell it due to health and safety concerns regarding its handling and storage while it was missing?

Swede. June 15, 2018 (3:13 pm)

Not likely he stored it correctly, and even if he did the store can’t be sure of it.

Irritated June 15, 2018 (11:15 am)

Any chance we could see a picture of this loser?

Irritated June 15, 2018 (11:16 am)

Any chance we could see a picture of Gregory Lee Thompson?

WD June 15, 2018 (11:22 am)

Is there a photo of Gregory Thompson available? With so many recent arrests I thought finding one online would be easy but I’m not having any luck.

WSB June 15, 2018 (11:26 am)

Photos are only available if:
-The person served time in state prison system
-The person is a registered sex offender
-Police decide to put out a photo because they want the public’s help in finding someone.

I believe I’ve already checked with DOC about Thompson but just in case I’m checking again.

N June 15, 2018 (11:27 am)

HIs pic is on this blog dated 6-14 from the security camera. Fish stolen.

WSB June 15, 2018 (11:38 am)

I don’t have 100 percent verification that is him – only that the fish was recovered while police were at his house for an unrelated reason. The only notations on the jail register remain that he is held for investigation of tampering (no charge filed so far, that would likely be next week) and for something related to a prior firearms case in which he was charged. Since he was booked just before 8 am today he’s probably not on today’s bail calendar but I’m checking on that too. – TR
- Poppycock June 15, 2018 (1:09 pm)
  
  I can verify it’s him in the picture stealing the fish – I have the misfortune of being his neighbor.
  - Missy June 15, 2018 (5:26 pm)
    
    This happens to be my nephew so for all you guys that are losers that have no compassion for anybody. He has an addiction problem like I’m sure many of you it’s touched your families also. He’s actually a really good kid he’s just struggling with addiction so maybe you guys should show some compassion. He lost his mother about 6 years ago the kid has been through a lot unfortunately he turned to drugs. But how dare any of you judging anybody I’m sure y’all got your own skeletons in your own closet
    - G's neighbor June 15, 2018 (10:32 pm)
      
      As another neighbor, he definitely isn’t the nicest guy. Rude, mean and isn’t afraid of swearing at the elderly or in front of young children. He had had encounters with nearly the entire street! He is quick for revenge even if we ask him politely to move his cars. We are extremely sorry he has addiction problems. The neighborhood has to deal with living next to his his eyesore yard.
    - Mark Davidson June 15, 2018 (10:43 pm)
      
      Hi Missy – drug addiction can happen to anybody and it’s a serious problem. We need effective ways to help those afflicted with addiction. Almost everyone knows somebody who is hooked on something and in need of help… (including those hooked on Facebook!). But when neighbors speak out on crime perpetrated against their persons, or speak out about drugs and violence in their neighborhoods, or condemn exorbitant collections of guns and other weaponry, it’s a lack of compassion to say the victims are the ones who lack compassion. Clearly, the criminal lacks compassion for those whom he or she victimizes. I hope, as an aunt, you can find a way to help him so that others don’t suffer due to his suffering.
    - Smittytheclown June 16, 2018 (8:15 am)
      
      Great news, Missy. Do you have an extra bed? Maybe a rental? Family first!
    - Rusty June 17, 2018 (12:11 pm)
      
      Missy -Sad that your nephew is an addict and criminal, but we are all responsible for the decisions we make. His neighbors, who have to deal with his bad decisions, aren’t the ones causing problems – he is. You calling them losers seems like a pretty backwards type of reasoning. Personal accountability shouldn’t be a mysterious, foreign concept. Plenty of people deal with hardship and tragedy without victimizing others.

cjboffoli June 15, 2018 (11:51 am)

That headline made me laugh out loud. Nicely done. Also delighted to have the case of the purloined fish solved.

LyndaB June 15, 2018 (12:47 pm)

I thought the fish would be long gone.

Thank you June 15, 2018 (1:09 pm)

Thank you WSB for repeatedly trying to find a picture of him. It will help to put a face with the name. Thank you.

Mike June 15, 2018 (1:41 pm)

Great Job SPD!!!!

Swede. June 15, 2018 (3:15 pm)

Knew it was something fishy about that guy.

flimflam June 15, 2018 (5:45 pm)

its so great that such a prolific criminal can have so much free time to continue his criminal activities. put him in jail already…

TJ June 15, 2018 (9:44 pm)

Missy, I believe your nephew is 28? So referring to him as a “kid” now and that lost his mom at 22 deserving extra compassion doesn’t hold a lot of weight. Seems like the courts are taking his issues into account though by letting him off the hook, but he keeps failing society by continuing to steal peoples property. I do hope he beats his issues, but seeking compassion from a community plagued by property crimes which he is a glaring participant in is foolish

KD June 16, 2018 (12:21 am)

Missy… so being an ‘enabler’ and chastising neighbors and community members who DO obey the laws and decency, is NOT okay. Cut the crap. None of his tragedies in his life is an excuse for MAJOR and REPETITIVE crimes. Not only the harassment of the neighbors, his victims of crime, but all the police, lawyer, jail, court, etc. costs to taxpayers and society. That was pretty nasty and rude to call out people like that. Yeah.. a LOT of people have tragedies hit them like your nephew. They don’t go out and repeatedly do what he does. Enabling excuses don’t help either. Why don’t YOU and YOUR ‘family’ help fix him. That was pretty pitiful and mean what you posted. His family might be part of his problem with not overcoming his troubles. We all gots troubles Missy. Just don’t make others suffer for it.

Jeannie June 16, 2018 (3:02 am)

Sorry, auntie Missy, I don’t have skeletons in my closet. I am far from perfect, but I steer clear of drugs. And I don’t stockpile almost two dozen guns, nor do I deal in meth. And I, too, have been through very difficult times, as has everyone. So I can’t feel any pity for your nephew. You have the right to stick up for him, but please don’t enable him.

Another neighbor of Greg's June 16, 2018 (9:05 am)

This would be at least his 3rd time in jail this year. Running away from the police at Westwood with a firearm. Trying to set someone’s car on fire. Stealing cars and packages. Already too much for this year. This man clearly feels like the world owes him and he bears no responsibility for his actions especially being the cause of harm to others. Echoing the other neighbors, he is very vindictive – he is NOT pleasant. (Being nice to your aunt should be a base expectation of even little children). Grief and drugs do not excuse his behavior and actions. I hope he has had less drama with his neighbors at his other home in Burien.If anything, he has brought the neighbors together with his crimes. Being woken up at 2am to the police loudspeaker shouting commands for his home to be cleared should be the last straw for anyone in his household. Greg has taught us how to report his cars, navigate the jail registry and look at his public (including police) records better. No excuses.

WSB June 16, 2018 (9:23 am)

5th since February, according to the jail register.

anonyme June 16, 2018 (9:07 am)

Jeannie is absolutely right. Enough with the justifications. I’ve had far more hardship in life than this dude, yet managed to avoid both addiction AND crime. The fish theft is just the latest in a long line of felonies, with little consequence so far. He needs to go away for a long time – and soon.

ws resident June 16, 2018 (12:48 pm)

Missy, your nephew is not a “good kid”. He is a repeat felon who has used his misfortune and addiction as excuses for years of criminal behavior. Many of us are victims of devastating loss in our lives, yet manage not to use those events as an excuse to victimize others…repeatedly. I think we all know who the real “losers” are here.

anonyme June 16, 2018 (1:02 pm)

It’s also quite hilarious that Aunt Missy refers to those who would like to see this criminal locked up as “losers”. Not the criminal himself, mind you; I guess he’s a winner in her book.Seattle is a special world where every day is backwards day.

Community Member June 16, 2018 (3:37 pm)

I believe it is appropriate and quite possible to be compassionate about the suffering of the drug addicted repeat offender (and his family) and empathetic about the grief, mental illness, or other problems behind the drug addiction, while still insisting that this has gone on long enough. I believe it should be society’s responsibility to provide high-quality addiction treatment and mental health treatment while this man is incarcerated under humane conditions. I appreciate Missy’s point of view that he is fundamentally a good kid. The response to that is that our society should support educational opportunities during incarceration, and supportive living situations and employment opportunities upon re-entry to society after incarceration. Letting someone continue this cycle of crime and drugs indefinitely is not compassion.

Yet another one of G's Neighbors June 16, 2018 (8:59 pm)

I agree- he’s clearly not capable of making good choices on his own and the state needs to intervene. Unfortunately I don’t have much faith in the justice system but I think in this case he would be better off in jail (and, hopefully, able to get treatment and help while there.) He consistently has weapons, which makes him a serious threat and as (yet another) one of his neighbors, it makes us all very nervous. He has openly threatened to shoot at least one person on our street and clearly has the means to follow through with these threats. We don’t deserve to live with that stress and Greg has been enabled further in that (according to public records) he was allowed to purchase that house from a relative for $1. Clearly he has had advantages that many have not, and still made bad choices. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t also struggled or that he ought to be dehumanized. I hope very much that he gets the help he needs- which includes taking away his access to weapons- and also that he & his associates are forced to leave so that we can feel safe again.

WSB June 16, 2018 (11:16 pm)

Update: His bail was set today at $275,000 total, related to some of the prior cases as well as the new arrest.

Ex Neighbor June 19, 2018 (4:31 pm)

Greg was my neighbor for almost 8 years. We did not get along with one another and I made it very clear to him when I moved in, in 2009, that I was watching him (and the house) and would call the cops if I caught him dealing in front of the house. For the most part, until the city demolished the Jungle, he was pretty good about being discreet and would have his flunkies come by the house but do their dealing elsewhere. After the demise of the Jungle, it felt like I was living in the heart of the ghetto. Beat-up cars and junkies coming and going at all hours! Although he was not the reason I left Seattle, I sure do not miss the drama! I hope that he gets the help he desperately needs while probably going to prison for some time and that the city will finally step-up and do something about the eyesore of a house that he lived in.

SW June 21, 2018 (11:01 am)

Good news Auntie Missy, with $275K bond (maybe you should put your home up for him since he’s a ‘good kid’) and it looks like he’ll get the help he needs while attending rehab sessions in the pen.