UPDATE: 2 sought after deputy hit by fleeing suspects’ car at Roxbury Safeway

4:41 PM: Thanks for the tips about the police response at Roxbury Safeway. King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott says it started as a shoplifting incident and a suspect who was being sought hit a deputy with (updated) her car. Non-life-threatening injuries. More to come.

P.S. Those are TV helicopters.

4:59 PM: More info from KCSO: “1 female suspect in custody, another female suspect intentionally struck deputy with vehicle and fled at high rate of speed.” No description yet of the vehicle/suspect they’re seeking.

10:48 PM: Just in from KCSO, here’s who they are seeking:

The King County Sheriff’s Office has PC [probable cause] to Arrest KHALIA WIMBERLY for Assault 1 and Robbery 1. There is a temporary warrant in the system for Wimberly’s arrest.

The evening of 1/7/19, Wimberly, her boyfriend Davevion Irving, and another associate did a shoplift at the Safeway in White Center. Law Enforcement was called and arrived on scene as they were exiting the store being chased by loss prevention. Wimberly and Irving ran past a Deputy that was on foot and in full uniform, got into a black 1996 Lexus LS 4 door. Wimberly, now the driver of the Lexus, struck the Deputy head-on causing serious/ non-life threatening injuries. The associate was arrested on scene but Wimberly and Irving escaped.

There is NO PC or temporary warrant for Irving but he does have an active felony warrant and misdemeanor warrant for his arrest.

Wimberly and Irving are dating and said to be couch surfing, possibly in the Tacoma area.

Please call 911 if you know where either Wimberly or Irving is or the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206/296-3311.

11:12 PM: A little more information: First, we asked Sgt. Abbott a followup on how the deputy’s doing. Still in the hospital, but in stable condition. Regarding the suspects – Wimberly is 18 years old, 5’3,” 180 pounds, last known address in Top Hat; Irving is 19 years old, 5’10”, 150 pounds, last known address in Kent. The car’s plate is BJX9158.

Hb January 7, 2019 (4:48 pm)

Any word on the very sizeable response around the same time with officers screaming down roxbury, 16th, olson place, into shag, and s bound on 99?

WSB January 7, 2019 (5:09 pm)

Possibly related since this happened on Roxbury. Haven’t heard of anything else that was up.
AMC January 7, 2019 (5:30 pm)

I saw this too… They were headed away from the direction of the Safeway though.
- WSB January 7, 2019 (5:36 pm)
  
  There was a pursuit of the suspect to some point. Don’t know where or how it broke off.

Ws January 7, 2019 (4:50 pm)

Is that related to the circling helicopter?

WSB January 7, 2019 (5:09 pm)

Yes, as mentioned in the story, TV helicopters were over the scene. Gone now.

Chanel January 7, 2019 (5:37 pm)

This incident literally happened behind my car as I was parked at Safeway on Roxbury and finishing up a phone call in my car, about to head in. From what I gather, a carload of shoplifters came running from the store but one female did not run fast enough and was left behind by the getaway car. I did not directly see the individuals in the getaway car but the officer or sheriff’s deputy was positioned in front of the car attempting to stop the suspects from driving away and he was struck point blank by the vehicle and knocked to the side and the driver then drove off after striking the deputy. About that time, another female who was obviously with the group of shoplifters came running out as they were apparently in the process of getting away and leaving her behind. The accomplice started screaming to someone on the phone that they left her behind and then officers moved in to question or apprehend her. The deputy remained on the ground in the same position as he was struck and was overheard complaining of leg pain and inability to get back up so I believe they left him in place as a precaution. A cashier inside who witnessed it remarked that she thought his pelvis might have been shattered and that he might have had internal bleeding, but that just her impression. The whole thing was very sad and obviously didn’t need to happen.

WSB January 7, 2019 (5:39 pm)

Thank you. The preliminary word from KCSO was leg injury, non-life-threatening, but that was as the deputy was being transported. We will of course seek followup info. – TR

flimflam January 7, 2019 (7:01 pm)

this is what happens (and will continue to happen) when these “low level” crimes are not prosecuted. all of the city’s supermarkets are getting seriously impacted by shoplifters – these should not be considered low priority.

Over it January 7, 2019 (8:04 pm)

I’m so ready to move away from here and all of this senseless theft, violence and crime!! It’s disgusting and sad. I love this area but it’s bad when I don’t even feel safe walking to the store after the sun goes down. :(

Long Time Resident January 8, 2019 (9:58 am)

Totally agree! West Seattle has gotten really really bad lately with crime. It used to be in certain areas but now it’s all over. Really sad. This used to be a wonderful place to live and feel safe.
Pelley January 8, 2019 (12:44 pm)

Ethos happens everywhere in all States … sad but seems to be overtaking sensibility … 😞

boy January 7, 2019 (8:22 pm)

how can we as local folk help catch these bad guys that hurt one of our officers the men in blue that protects us with out letting us know what or who to look for

WSB January 7, 2019 (8:31 pm)

I asked Sgt. Abbott when I talked to him by phone; he didn’t have that info. Still awaiting a more detailed followup report – perhaps that will include some description information, at least of the car. – TR

TJ January 7, 2019 (8:41 pm)

I know from a friend in regional management that the Roxbury & Jefferson Square Safeways, and Admiral to a lesser extent, have had a pandemic of shoplifting for over 5 years. Most people would be surprised at the level of theft, and also how brazen a lot are. Literally running out of the store with hands full. Also, there are familiar faces that continue to do it even though they are known. At Admiral, a big problem was throngs of students coming in and loitering, overwhelming the deli department, with blatant shoplifting. Sounds like that has been cleaned up mostly. The stores have a serious hands off policy dealing with it, and the police and courts are passive about it.

Mj January 7, 2019 (10:12 pm)

Shop lifting affects everyone. The stores increase prices to offset theft losses. FlimFlam is correct that the systems failure to prosecute these crimes needs to change, we are all paying the price!

Jim P. January 7, 2019 (10:17 pm)

Organized gang of professional thieves I would guess. Not surprising they’d commit a major felony in trying to escape. Bet they have warrants on them from here to Idaho and back.West Seattle is the “happening place” it seems if you’re a crook or bum and tired of the downtown area.Hope we get a description and other data so those of us who call this “home” rather than “targets of opportunity” can make them feel truly welcome if they show up again.

Sharmeen January 9, 2019 (11:00 am)

These 2 are children.they are open for mistakes quit blowing this incident up into terrorism, two kids that must was hungry at a grocery stealing .the news never said the boy had warrant from here to Idaho,lies a misdermeanor and a felony warrant.the boy didn’t run the cop over.nor was he stealing he was with these girls however.js

WSB January 7, 2019 (10:49 pm)

Just got info from Sheriff’s Office on who they’re seeking. Adding above.

WTF January 8, 2019 (12:45 am)

Well. Well. Look at them! Model citizens. Crime like this was so bad at the Rite Aid in 4th near king street they hired a full time off duty, uniformed police officer to stand ALL day inside this store. Be mindful the next time you VOTE!

Cathy January 8, 2019 (12:51 am)

We were almost hit head on by the fleeing suspects. We were headed northbound on 28th and the suspects were headed southbound and almost lost control of their car and swung back onto the roadway in our lane. Barely missed us. When we pulled into Safeway the officer was on the ground. Hope the poor guy is ok.

anonyme January 8, 2019 (6:37 am)

Can we know the name of the officer? In close-by Arbor Heights, Officer Fabbricante is our friendly local cop. Hope it’s not him, but would like to recognize his service either way. Shoplifting has become rampant in this area, at QFC especially. I feel sorry for employees who are damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Enough with coddling thieves and criminals.

Beckyjo January 8, 2019 (11:18 am)

Not officer Fabbricante. But the man who was hit is also a local friendly officer. Who is with the King Co. sheriff dept.

Elle Nell January 8, 2019 (7:42 am)

What compelte fools..! Get a damn job!!

Chris January 8, 2019 (10:05 am)

A eight year old student just told me about watching this happen in person. I teach at a nearby school. She said she saw the officer get hit and she still thinks he’s dead. I’ll inform her that he’s not. As soon as her class went to recess, I got on WSB to check the story. Thanks for being the go to source WSB! For all of those who think that this is a sign that Seattle is going down the tubes – welcome to big city living! I think that we still have it a lot better than most cities. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_crime_rate

RT January 8, 2019 (10:35 am)

So sorry for the victim and wish him full recovery…also concerned about the lingering trauma for witnesses to this violence. The only good news is that the perpetrators will be charged and prosecuted as adults. Hope one of their couch surfing accomplices shows them the door and that they are apprehended soon.

Alki resident January 8, 2019 (11:31 am)

What can WE all do as a community to help this officer while he recovers? Meal train, build wheelchair ramp, house keeping?

WSB January 8, 2019 (11:44 am)

The deputy would likely work out of KCSO’s Southwest Precinct (not to be confused with SPD’s Southwest Precinct) so you might be able to find out from them. Or via whichever union represents deputies – I have to admit that despite covering KCSO via our White Center site, I don’t know that union’s name offhand. – TR
- Beckyjo January 8, 2019 (12:31 pm)
  
  Would that be The King County Officers Guild?
Bradley January 8, 2019 (11:01 pm)

What can you do for the deputy? How about calling Olympia and demanding that the legislature overturn I-940? That initiative will make attacks on officers far more common. 2017 and 2018 were the deadliest years for law enforcement officers in decades.

AlexS January 8, 2019 (12:34 pm)

When you hear people screaming “end mass incarceration” remember that California tried it, and the result was – wait for it – a lot more crime, including shoplifting. Criminal gangs now send groups of young people out to steal as much as they can to stay under the (now raised) $950 minimum. The notion that these are “survival crimes” is a joke. https://losspreventionmedia.com/insider/shoplifting-organized-retail-crime/welcome-to-california-a-shoplifters-paradise/

Bradley January 8, 2019 (11:33 pm)

California violent crime, including murder, has also skyrocketed along with their low-yo-mid level crime.
- WSB January 9, 2019 (1:28 am)
  
  False.
  https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-trends-in-california/
  “California’s violent crime rate rose in 2017—but it remains historically low. California’s violent crime rate increased by 1.5% in 2017 to 451 per 100,000 residents. There were also upticks in 2012 and from 2015 to 2017, but the statewide rate is still comparable to levels in the late 1960s.”
  - Bradley January 9, 2019 (11:31 am)
    
    I was born and raised in California and spent 25 years there from the 60s to the late-80s. My family still lives there. Violent crime has soared in areas that were once safe and nearly crime-free. Now robberies, rapes, and murders are happening outside of the usual impoverished, inner-city areas. It’s a daily topic down there. Even a small uptick is far more noticeable in a state with 40 million residents than a state with a smaller population.
    - WSB January 9, 2019 (11:38 am)
      
      I’m from there too. Accuracy is vital in comment sections as well as stories.
    - PantsonFire January 9, 2019 (12:29 pm)
      
      THANK YOU WSB for fact checking these claims. If all media worked to these standards we would not have a habitual liar in office. The truth matters, be it on a neighborhood blog or on national media. Wish you were running all the tv networks!
    - WSB January 9, 2019 (12:54 pm)
      
      Spent 20+ years in TV news (preceded by radio and newspapers). Chose 11 years ago to leave and do this instead.

Jake January 8, 2019 (12:38 pm)

Imagine being so bad at shoplifting Seattle PD was able to respond in time.

WSB January 8, 2019 (12:42 pm)

For the record, as noted in the story, this was not Seattle PD (which does respond to many shoplifting calls – take an hour and listen to the scanner sometime). This was the King County Sheriff’s Office, as the store is in unincorporated King County, outside city limits (which in that area go down the middle of Roxbury). – TR

Heartless? January 8, 2019 (2:34 pm)

Tired of being compared with “most cities”. That exculpatory attitude perpetuates the problem. Not just here, but in “most cities” as well.

Shirl January 8, 2019 (2:43 pm)

There is so much shoplifting now that we end up paying because the stores just keep raising prices. Stores would save alot of money if the put security at each door. They could stop the backpacks, large purses and shopping carts from going out the doors. The stores would save more than security wages per hour and lower our prices and people would be safer.

Bradley January 8, 2019 (11:30 pm)

I was so disgusted by the shocking amount of open thievery at this Safeway that I confronted the manager the other day. I asked him why should I bother paying for my groceries if their employees just watch shoplifters walk out the door? I told him I’m going to tell all my friends to start shopping their for free, just as the thieves do. He said he promised to “work on it” and apologized. The next day there was an armed guard at the north entrance. Hopefully, Safeway is going to FINALLY put an end to the free-for-some.

N7OEP January 9, 2019 (9:09 am)

Just heard on KIRO FM that the deputy is home now, and suffered a fractured left leg. Hope he fully recovers quickly. I thank him for his service to our community.

Graciano January 9, 2019 (11:59 am)

I was in Safeway the other day with my wife…, She noticed a lady putting items into her purse. Two under cover police officers asked my wife to move along as they moved in on the shoplifter.Good to see the injured Officer is back home. Hopefully they can put the two behind bars sooner then later.

Heartfull January 9, 2019 (12:14 pm)

Must suck to have to steal.

momosmom January 9, 2019 (2:19 pm)

No it doesn’t suck to have to steal, these people who are stealing are doing it to sell the items to buy their drug of choice they are not doing it because they are hungry.If hungry they can go apply for public assistance …but then some of those people do and then sell their food for drugs too so it seems to be a win/lose situation for taxpayers?!

TM7302 January 9, 2019 (6:32 pm)

These two geniuses look good in prison clothing, hopefully they’ll be wearing it for a long time

momof3boys January 10, 2019 (9:11 am)

I know the manager of this Safeway, he’s a good, loyal, hard-working guy. There usually, and I don’t know that there is, but there is usually a corporate policy for employees to stay “hands-off” of shoplifters because they ARE turning violent. And then the store ends up being liable for the employees injuries.It’s a lose-lose situation. All that to say, don’t blame the manager, blame the criminals.