CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: 1 armed burglary suspect charged, 1 released

Followups on two recent West Seattle Crime Watch cases involving burglary suspects arrested with weapons:

PUGET RIDGE SUSPECT CHARGED: Prosecutors have filed two felony charges against 36-year-old Jeremiah N. Fry, arrested Monday morning with a loaded shotgun. They also succeeded in having a judge raise his bail to $225,000, pointing to a 20-year criminal history. Fry is charged with one count of first-degree burglary and one count of unlawful gun possession. The charging documents say “the victim woke up to a nightmare in the form of this defendant standing outside her open window in the darkness of the night. The victim acted quickly, slamming the window shut and then instinctively ran to her daughter’s room to seal off the other access point to the residence. To the victim’s horror, when she went into her sleeping daughter’s bedroom, she became face-to-face with the defendant again as he had moved … to her daughter’s open window.” Police arrested him less than two blocks away and said he dropped the loaded 12-gauge shotgun as they approached. Most of his prior convictions were for property crimes, although as noted in our Monday report, he also has an assault conviction for violence involving his girlfriend and their baby. In that case he got a year-plus sentence under the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative.

BEACH DRIVE SUSPECT OUT: 39-year-old Gabriel C. Putnam, the suspected would-be burglar arrested after being caught on video trying a Beach Drive door with one hand and holding a large knife with the other, is out of jail. As we reported June 19th, he was charged with attempted residential burglary and has no prior criminal record. At his arraignment a week ago, a judge granted the defense motion to release him into the CCAP program, which requires daily check-ins. Documents say he told the court he would be living at a downtown shelter. He’s due back in court next week.

15 Replies to "CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: 1 armed burglary suspect charged, 1 released"

  • Swede. July 10, 2019 (11:43 pm)

    36 years old with a 20 year criminal history, 9 felonies, attempting burglary with loaded shotgun..! This should be the last time society ever sees this guy. 

    • Mike July 11, 2019 (5:52 am)

      Good luck with that

  • WW Resident July 11, 2019 (6:00 am)

    Ahh, another DOSA success story

  • John Q Lincoln July 11, 2019 (8:04 am)

    Maybe I missed it…is Gabriel Putnam’s booking photo available?  Since he’ s back out in the community roaming our streets again if would be nice to be able to identify him.  Can’t tell much from that front porch video.

    • WSB July 11, 2019 (8:17 am)

      Booking photos are never available. The only way to have an image of a suspect is:
      -recorded on security video (which he was in this case, see earlier coverage)
      -photographed in court (we can’t often clear the time to go downtown and wait around for a hearing unless it’s a huge case) although even there, you’re usually getting the side of face or back of head
      -if they have served time in state prison, photo can be requested (he has not)
      -if they are a registered sex offender (he is not)
      -if a police agency puts out a public “we’re looking for this person” bulletin (rare and also not applicable here, no warrant)

    • Alex S. July 11, 2019 (12:02 pm)

      It was pretty easy to find Gabriel Putnam’s Facebook page – look for the guy posting rambling gibberish and delusion-driven drawings.  And, of course, he’s from Alabama.  His profile pic resembles the guy in the video. 

  • m July 11, 2019 (9:25 am)

    The video was shockingly scary.  It’s really upsetting that this person is back on the streets. I will be writing to the mayor and City Council and I hope that all of you do too. I know many believe this doesn’t make a difference but if enough folks bring attention to this at least they’ll have to pretend to care, especially with election season coming up. council@seattle.gov    // Jenny.durkan@seattle.gov  Thanks! 

    • WSB July 11, 2019 (9:36 am)

      The mayor and city council have absolutely no say in this case. The only city involvement was SPD; they arrested him. Since it’s a felony case, what happens from here is all a King County Superior Court/Prosecuting Attorney’s Office matter. Judges are independently elected. The prosecutor (Dan Satterberg) is too. Judge Veronica Galvan made the CCAP decision, according to court documents. – TR

      • m July 11, 2019 (2:15 pm)

        THANK YOU so much for clarifying. If anyone is willing to talk to Q13 for their coverage on this story please call Brett at 206-674-1305 They  want residents willing to talk about howthey feel about this person being released back into our community. I am on the east side all day or would do it myself. And thanks to WSB for staying on top of this! 

  • Jim P July 11, 2019 (11:44 am)

    “he also has an assault conviction for violence involving his girlfriend
    and their baby. In that case he got a year-plus sentence under the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative.”I’ve no problems with diversion for minor, non-violent drug offenders but this is utter nonsense.  Threatening/harming children merits storage someplace so far removed that you need a picture postcard to remember what sunlight and freedom look like.Rehabilitation has a place but these silly little sentences do nothing to protect the children or to rehabilitate the offender who in this case is a poster boy for “career criminal”.It’s not a popular opinion but some people do violent things not because they weren’t loved or didn’t get enough cookies, it’s because they choose to and it gives them pleasure and succeeds.

  • Alex S. July 11, 2019 (11:51 am)

    Perp drops his firearm rather than pointing it at police – and doesn’t get shot. Shocking.

  • AlkiResident July 11, 2019 (12:45 pm)

    Gabriel C. Putnam got released?!  The video is indeed terrifying.  

  • Bradley July 11, 2019 (12:57 pm)

    A career felon armed with a knife arrrsted  while breaking into a residence gets NO prison time? That’s absolutely disgusting.

    • WSB July 11, 2019 (1:18 pm)

      This is not the final decision on the case. He spent two and a half weeks in jail, but was released into the CCAP program as opposed to staying in jail and having to post bail to get out, while the case continues to make its way through the system for either a trial or plea and then a sentence. Also, unless you actually meant the first guy with the gun, Gabriel Putnam, as noted, does NOT have a criminal record.

      • Bradley July 11, 2019 (2:29 pm)

        Yes, I confused the two suspects. Thank you.

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