WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglary suspect assists with his own arrest

4:21 PM: From SPD Blotter:

Officers arrested a 46-year-old man in West Seattle this morning after he called police about his missing wallet, which he had left behind during an earlier burglary.

On Friday, August 14th, just after 3:00 AM, officers were called to the 6600 block of SW Admiral Way to investigate a burglary. The complainant told officers that an unknown male had entered her apartment and that she had awoken to find a man standing next to her bed.

The woman and her boyfriend told the suspect to leave, which he did. The couple then called 911.
The couple provided police with a description of the man, including the fact that he might have had a dog with him. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect. However, a backpack the suspect had left behind was found at the scene.

Officers examined the contents of the backpack and located identification of the possible suspect. The physical description on the ID matched the description of the suspect provided by the victims.

At approximately 8:30 AM, the 46-year-old male suspect called 911 to report that an unknown person had stolen his wallet within the past 10 minutes. The man identified himself by the same name that was on the identification left at the burglary scene. When police contacted the man, he declined to file a report, but officers noticed he was wearing similar clothing as described by the victims, and he was in possession of a dog.

The original burglary victims were brought to the scene where they positively identified the suspect.

The suspect was arrested and later booked into the King County Jail.

Animal Control officers responded to take custody of the suspect’s dog, and may be opening an investigation into possible criminal animal abuse, as there was evidence of recent injuries to the dog.

Detectives will handle the follow up investigation.

5:40 PM: The suspect remains in jail tonight. He does not have any felonies on record in this state, nor any recent arrests.

37 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglary suspect assists with his own arrest"

  • Brenda August 14, 2020 (4:38 pm)

    Injuries to the dog!!! GOOD catch William sector !! 

  • Mok4315 August 14, 2020 (4:50 pm)

    Wooo that is some kinda stupid. 

  • Ice August 14, 2020 (4:51 pm)

    Most people who break into houses to steal stuff are pretty dumb but this guy is comically dumb.

  • eggo August 14, 2020 (5:06 pm)

    “She awoke to find a man standing next to her bed.” Sweet jesus this is a nightmare. Hope she’s not too traumatized. 

  • flimflam August 14, 2020 (5:34 pm)

    That’s quite a story…confirmed criminal, idiot and potential animal abuser. Nice.

  • CK August 14, 2020 (5:52 pm)

    Florida Man has moved to West Seattle……

    • Wsguy123 August 14, 2020 (6:17 pm)

      Yup

    • onion August 14, 2020 (6:26 pm)

      Trump administration candidate.

      • Peter S. August 15, 2020 (6:56 pm)

        Oddly, I thought we were talking about a local residential burglary.   I must’ve missed the connection to national politics.  

      • Mike August 15, 2020 (8:47 pm)

        Onion:  way to inject political divisions into an article about a West Seattle burglary. A true display of class.  

    • Friend O'Dinghus August 14, 2020 (6:36 pm)

      I have been coast to coast. Stupid is from, and can be found, everywhere.

  • A August 14, 2020 (6:07 pm)

    And he’ll be out of jail before sunset and likely have charges dropped or do little to no jail time. What a vibrant city we live in

  • IMHO August 14, 2020 (6:46 pm)

    Candidate for a Darwin award

  • rayven August 14, 2020 (7:26 pm)

    And the award for Darwin man of the year goes to…

  • Iktome August 14, 2020 (9:25 pm)

    Here’s your sign. wow.

  • Rick August 15, 2020 (8:56 am)

    This brightened my day!

  • JW August 15, 2020 (9:17 am)

    Please people, such cruel speculation leaves out the likely confluence of homelessness, substance abuse and mental health.  Darwinian remarks applied to fellow human beings, that we know little about, challenges the compassion that uniquely defines us.  Please, let all of us work together to address the root problems plaguing our society.

    • Talknowtrolll8er August 15, 2020 (9:57 am)

      Although now that i think about it, in order to obtain the award i beleive the rule is one has to either die or have their ability to reproduce taken from them

    • flimflam August 15, 2020 (10:52 am)

      right, the criminal that broke into this woman’s house deserves understanding…give me a break.

    • Beatrice Metzelaar August 15, 2020 (1:43 pm)

      Compassion leaves when animal abuse comes in.

    • ~Hockeywitch~ August 15, 2020 (4:55 pm)

      I have NO compassion for anyone breaking into my home for ANY reason: homeless, drug abuse, et al. These conditions DO NOT give you a right to violate other’s lives… and ESPECIALLY anyone who may have been/is abusing animals…

    • Allie August 15, 2020 (11:26 pm)

      I am a single woman and if I woke to a man standing in my bedroom I don’t care what his life situation is, I would blow him to bits with my shotgun

    • Allie August 15, 2020 (11:34 pm)

      One year and 18 days ago when I was being  raped I didn’t think about the “root problem” of why some bastard was attacking me.  I wanted him dead. I still want him dead. I will always want him dead. I have no empathy for him or care about his root causes. And I imagine you would not care about his root causes if it was your wiifr or daughter. You should have compassion for the victims.

      • JW August 16, 2020 (11:29 am)

        I can only express my horror of hearing ALLIE’s story as a rape survivor.   I hope the rapist was brought to justice as best our system can.  I hear ALLIE when she declares she still wants her rapist dead, I would too. But this was not a rape or murder or any sort of violent crime against an individual.  Should we want his person dead?  Should this person be locked up with rapists and murderers for entering someone’s house?The burglar we are discussing was not implicated or charged with rape.  It was reported he had been in the house for some time (maybe with his dog), had removed his backpack and was discovered standing by the bed of two sleeping adults.  Nothing was reported missing.  They told him to leave. He left. Is it possible that this burglar had entered the house in confusion due to mental distress, drugs or alcohol.  Should we as society kill and incarcerate people who have not acted violently, not even committed any property crime or damage?

        • Allie August 16, 2020 (2:35 pm)

          Hi JwI do appreciate your compassion but that is not the reality of survivalYes,it was good he left when asked. Maybe he left because there  were two people in bed and one was a man. Would he have left if it was a woman alone?We don’t know. My rapist didn’t leave when I was screaming for my life. Reality is, if a woman alone wakes up to a man standing in her room she doesn’t have the luxury of compassion and understanding. Those qualities practiced at that time may get her raped or killed. I didn’t fight my rapist as much as I could have. I was afraid and I froze. I can not get that out of my head, I was not strong, I was a victim. I won’t freeze again. I am a survivor. I will fight and I will Kill without any compassion or empathy. I will survive I will survive. I say that to myself everyday

          • A August 17, 2020 (1:41 pm)

            Hi Allie, I’m heartbroken that happened to you. Don’t be down on yourself for whatever decisions you made that day. I have no idea what would have happened to me if my boyfriend wasn’t there. This man was stroking me and asked me how old I was. I am pissed the report says this is a burglary! You are a strong survivor and I don’t know you, but I am proud of you!

      • HelplessToChangeAnythingButCare August 16, 2020 (11:51 am)

        I’m so sorry that happened to you, Allie! You are so strong and brave for sharing your trauma. For what it’s worth, I completely validate your anger! Whatever you did to survive and keep on surviving is the right thing. Keep it up!

        • Allie August 16, 2020 (2:14 pm)

          Helpless,thank you 

  • Chuck August 15, 2020 (2:02 pm)

    In this city, the ONLY charges w any chance of sticking and keeping this guy in jail will be the animal cruelty. Just another ho-hum break-in otherwise… Except for what must have been sheer terror by the sleeping couple. But as others have noted, he seems likely to be suffering from mental disorders. Hopefully he gets the help he needs following this CRIME. Good job SPD! I’m grateful for all you do! #DefundtheSeattleCityCouncil

  • J W August 15, 2020 (6:49 pm)

    Remarkable how the slim details of the police report have been fleshed out in these comments in defense of their inhumane comments. The SPD report does not accuse  the burglar of “breaking in.”  The burglar may have been in the house (with his dog) for an extended period of time.  The burglar took off his back pack and left it at the location (inside the house?)The burglar is not accused of stealing or taking anything.The burglar was not violent, was “standing by her bed” and complied  when asked to leave.The burglar called 911 about his wallet 5 1/2 hours later. No mention was made of his reporting his backpack was missing.The police report -“Animal Control officers responded to take custody of the suspect’s dog, and may be opening an investigation into possible criminal animal abuse, as there was evidence of recent injuries to the dog.”  No description of the dog’s “recent injuries” and note the word “may” regarding opening an investigation.  I add how homeless folk often have incredible relationships, reliance and closeness to their dogs.   They  too, treat dogs like life partners and are rarely seen intentionally abusing their dogs.  Differently than other dog owners, the destitute dog owners sometimes  lack the ability to feed and care for their dogs.So many indicators in the scant info of the police report are consistent with a person in distress, out of their mind and or drugged.It is sad to see such assumptions being aired and the lack of compassion for another human.Our neighbor in Gatewood had someone enter their house through an unlocked door in the midday and proceeded to go into an empty bedroom where they got into bed and went to sleep.  Upon being discovered,  following the shock and 911 call, SPD responded and picked her up.  She did not appear to be on recreational drugs or alcohol, just a poor lost soul in need of care.

    • Mike August 15, 2020 (8:51 pm)

      JW:  your heart seems to be in the right place, but you’re really not helping people like this guy. You’re enabling. 

    • Really? August 15, 2020 (9:14 pm)

      So now its OK to just wonder in to people’s houses, stand by their bed and what comes next??  Sounds all nice until it happens to you. 

  • TM7302 August 15, 2020 (7:48 pm)

    Karma

  • WAP August 15, 2020 (10:28 pm)

    J W
    Your comments are EXACTLY the problem with Seattle today.  Enough is enough, lawless society does not work, esp when you cannot hold someone against their will (mental illness or drug addiction)

  • JW August 16, 2020 (12:20 am)

    I appears some including WAP, REALLY? & MIKE have mistaken me for someone supporting the abolishment & defunding the police.   Not so.  I absolutely support the increased hiring and staffing of SPD as Lisa Herbold pledged when I voted for her.   I  am shocked at the City Council’s treatment of SPD individual officers.   Their treatment of Chief Best is  reprehensible, at best.    No one thinks it is OK for anyone to illegally enter another’s home.  That is long settled in our system with the specific charge called burglary.  I enjoy (or demand) the same legal protection from burglars as others who are victims.  That is not the point.   Locking people up who lack the capacity to function like locking up sick people is.Lawless society is no society. That is why acting on the current Council’s ‘re-imagining’ of law enforcement, dismembering it with no replacement plan other than re-imagination is beyond belief. Supporting SPD with additional patrol officers and continuing on the financial course we formerly agreed to (with Lisa’s support) is a just the start.Beyond enhanced SPD funding and support is the additional funding and support required for Housing First Programs that have proven records of humanely helping those with exactly the offenses (mental illness, alcohol & substance abuse) that we don’t (and morally shouldn’t) hold  people against their will for. Additional support and streamlining of low income housing development throughout Seattle will also lead to long term improvements in livability for everyone.

  • A August 17, 2020 (1:29 pm)

    THIS MAN ASSAULTED ME. THIS WAS NOT A BURGLARY. I WOKE UP BECAUSE THE MAN WAS STROKING ME. HE ASKED ME “HOW OLD ARE YOU?” 

  • Really? August 20, 2020 (2:20 pm)

    A- This must have been absolutely terrifying for you. It is beyond strange that the police report says he was merely  ‘standing by your bed’ when he, in fact was assaulting you.  Thank goodness you were not physically hurt. Thoughts with you and your partner. JW- My comment had ZERO to do with yours, I  posted my comment hours beforeyours, not sure why it didn’t show up until 9:14. I have no idea how you can construe what you did from my comment. In case I wasn’t 100% clear … By ‘what’s next’ I meant, what would have happened to these victims next, if the assailant had not left?  Have you actually read the victim’s comments??? 

Sorry, comment time is over.