UPDATE: About the police response in The Triangle

(Texted photo)

1:35 PM: Thanks for the tips. Avoid Fauntleroy through The Triangle – big police response centered on the long-closed Midas. We are working to get more information.

1:41 PM: Police describe it as a “potential hazard at a closed business.” Fauntleroy is closed/closing and traffic is being diverted. As the reader photo above shows, they’ve taped off the closed Midas.

1:46 PM: “Possible explosive device” in the closed Midas. Arson and Bomb Squad will handle.

(WSB photos from here on)

2:04 PM: Not resolved yet. SFD is being called in to stand by across Fauntleroy Way.

2:14 PM: While police are keeping people back – see the tape across Fauntleroy in the photos we’ve added above – they have not issued any sort of evacuation order.

2:19 PM: Police have removed two bags of items from the scene.

2:32 PM: We’re still at the scene; just heard via emergency radio, “you can open up traffic, we’re secure.”

2:36 PM: Just talked to two people who say they’re the ones who called this in. They are contractors who were asked to check out a “hole” in the back of the closed building. They looked in – and saw “grenades,” and called police.

2:39 PM: The road is reopening. SPD confirms the recovered items were “harmless.”

33 Replies to "UPDATE: About the police response in The Triangle"

  • AJ February 26, 2020 (1:39 pm)

    Whole street closed and helicopter , sounds like they are in a standoff with a guy trying to rob the abandoned Midas place 

    • Ag February 26, 2020 (2:12 pm)

      3 police officers are at the Midas door now. They have some kind of black heavy looking device. 

      • Scott February 26, 2020 (4:56 pm)

        On a (barely) related note, it would be nice to have a story on the Midas place and the oil chance place on Alaska if you turn right from Fauntleroy.  What’s going on with them?

        • WSB February 26, 2020 (5:01 pm)

          As noted upthread, no permits so I have no idea. As for Jiffy Lube, we reported on its reopening earlier this month.

  • Timeslid February 26, 2020 (1:43 pm)

    Bomb squad truck has arrived.

  • Jen February 26, 2020 (1:46 pm)

    There a helicopter circling as well – do you know if it’s a police helicopter, or news?

  • lk February 26, 2020 (1:50 pm)

    I have been hearing a helicopter — is it related?

    • WSB February 26, 2020 (1:59 pm)

      A TV helicopter came by for a while per flight tracker. Nothing’s showing on radar now but if you’re seeing/hearing one it could be the other TV helicopter, which doesn’t show up on tracking.

      • Ag February 26, 2020 (2:00 pm)

        Helicopter is still in the area. I have eyes on it now

        • WSB February 26, 2020 (2:01 pm)

          Well, then it would be the other TV chopper. Guardian One was up earlier on an unrelated situation in South Seattle and its tracking beacon was showing.

          • Ag February 26, 2020 (2:14 pm)

            Perhaps, I’ve seen the same green and blue helicopter circling this whole time

  • pkhammer February 26, 2020 (1:51 pm)

    Should local businesses and homes be vacating?

    • WSB February 26, 2020 (1:57 pm)

      It’s been very difficult to get info but I believe police would tell you if needed. They told our photographer to “stay back” – I will see i there’s anyone he can ask.

      • Kersti muul February 26, 2020 (2:07 pm)

        cops and fire department are letting people walk around right in front of the YMCA right across the street from Midas doesn’t look like they’re trying to evacuate anything

  • Junction Dude February 26, 2020 (1:53 pm)

    The rumor is there was an explosive device in a red truck. 

    • WSB February 26, 2020 (1:55 pm)

      Don’t know about a vehicle. They’re working to remove the item(s).

    • Ag February 26, 2020 (2:01 pm)

      A Red truck was indeed towed away 

    • Junction Dude February 26, 2020 (2:07 pm)

      Robbery attempt and grenades.

  • Cameron D. McClellan February 26, 2020 (2:10 pm)

    Is anyone in danger at this time?  I live at The Whittaker 

  • WSB February 26, 2020 (2:13 pm)

    One business told us they asked an officer and he suggested “staying inside” but did not advise evacuating.

  • n7oep February 26, 2020 (2:13 pm)

    Grenades (2) in a truck. Unknown if live or “duds”. Bomb Squad handling now. Should be clear in a few minutes….

    • n7oep February 26, 2020 (2:22 pm)

      Devices rendered “safe” and dog is checking to be sure no more devices. Will be opening road very soon…

  • SO February 26, 2020 (2:16 pm)

    Two individuals found grenades in a bag. 

  • WSB February 26, 2020 (2:32 pm)

    We are still at the scene, as close as we’re being allowed. Not reopened yet. But just heard on the scanner as I type this: “You can open up all traffic, we’re secure.”

    • bolo February 26, 2020 (2:34 pm)

      Been waiting for that, thanks for the announcement, WSB.

  • WSB February 26, 2020 (2:39 pm)

    We just talked to the two people who said they called in to report the “grenades.” They are contractors who were called by the building’s owner to check out a “hole.” They looked inside and saw the “grenades,” and called authorities. – TR

  • DW February 26, 2020 (4:11 pm)

    When does the Midas re-open?

    • WSB February 26, 2020 (4:24 pm)

      Or perhaps, “DOES it reopen?” No permits on file, 8+ months after it closed.

  • Scott February 26, 2020 (4:54 pm)

    Why is “grenades” in quotation marks?  Because we don’t know exactly what they were?  And what about “hole,” which seems less ambiguous?Why did the Midas close, anyway?  I assume not just for repairs.

    • WSB February 26, 2020 (5:02 pm)

      Yes on your first two questions. Both are direct quotes. Police have not used the term grenades so I don’t know for sure but will request th report tomorrow.

  • Jeannie February 26, 2020 (6:34 pm)

    I realize this is a serious matter, but, damn, that dog in the photo is cute!

  • steve February 26, 2020 (7:48 pm)

    Shouldn’t the dog be wearing protective gear?

  • WiseWoman February 26, 2020 (10:50 pm)

    I agree where is the dogs protective vest.  I want one for my paws on patrol Lollipop dog. 

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