WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Convicted killer charged in attack; plus, three reader reports

| Crime | Delridge | High Point | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports today:

ATTACK CHARGE: A convicted killer is back in jail, charged with attacking a 73-year-old man in West Seattle. We didn’t hear about this incident when it happened, but learned of the charge: Court documents say the victim was walking with his wife near 35th and Morgan last Wednesday morning when 42-year-old Lonnie W. Jones punched him, unprovoked, knocking him down and sending him to the hospital. Police found Jones nearby, and learned he had been in the area a while, kicked out of the West Seattle Food Bank earlier in the morning. Charging documents say Jones was convicted of murder for killing a man during a home-invasion robbery in Federal Way in 1996. Court records show he was released in 2013, and found guilty the next year of assaulting his wife during a fight at her sister’s Highland Park apartment. His bail is set at $100.000.

Three reader reports:

VANDALISM: Senior Center of West Seattle executive director Amy Lee Derenthal tells WSB that a second-floor window was broken by someone overnight. “Looks like maybe a wine bottle was used because there’s a broken one on the sidewalk below the window,” she added.

PACKAGE THIEF ON VIDEO: Soren sent the clip and report:

Just reaching out regarding a package theft (in the 4800 block of) 26th Ave SW. Got a phone call from a neighbor right after it happened, camera footage is super clear; unfortunately, no license plate number is visible.

MAIL THEFT: From Philippe:

I wanted to report that our & the neighbors’ mailbox at Delridge & Trenton was broken into sometime Saturday afternoon to Sunday early afternoon. All of the mailboxes for us and neighbors were opened. Not sure if the thieves got away with anything. One neighbor reported also Monday that some of those same boxes were re-opened.

Everyone should, if they can, remove their mail ASAP after it is delivered, to be safe.

flimflam November 18, 2020 (4:20 pm)

wow, just the sort of threat to public safety that should not be let out of jail for a long time – only did 17 years for murder? wow. the city and specifically judges/prosecutor needs to think about the welfare and safety of the general public 1st and foremost, compassion for career criminals not so much.

Carole November 18, 2020 (7:23 pm)

Absent any serious criminal history and degree of underlying murder, 20 years is usually the max on a murder charge. 1/6 off for good time (standard on murder) would in fact give him a release after about 17 years. Judges are constrained by the established sentencing guidelines. If you think the guidelines are too lenient address your concerns to the state legislature.
- wscommuter November 18, 2020 (8:46 pm)
  
  Precisely. People love to rant against prosecutors and judges without understanding that criminal punishments are largely proscribed by statute by the legislature.
  - Alex S. November 20, 2020 (12:09 pm)
    
    Well, it’s not the legislature that continually returns violent criminals to the streets the way judges and prosecutors in Seattle and King County do. Jones was arrested last year for: Assault, Harassment, Property Destruction, Using a weapon to intimidate, Obstructing an Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Assault (again). Over and over these violent, repeat offenders are released on their own recognizance – skip their hearings – get arrested on some other charge…. then the process starts all over again when they are let out after a couple weeks. You literally need to kill, rape or maim somebody to face serious time (like Travis Berge)
LPM November 19, 2020 (12:02 pm)

Also, consider that the murder happened 24 years ago which puts this offender at 17/18 years old.

Duffy November 18, 2020 (4:38 pm)

Am I taking crazy pills? Guy is convicted of murder, is released and found guilty of spousal assault the very next year and IS NOW OUT ROAMING THE STREETS ASSAULTING SENIORS??? My head is spinning. It isn’t supposed to work like that.

CJ November 18, 2020 (5:08 pm)

Lots of white panel vans around but this one looks like it might have a lift kit or 4WD set up on it?

Js November 20, 2020 (7:13 pm)

Yes looks like a 3/4 or 1 ton but for sure aftermarket suspension. Tradesman probably carpet layer. Easy to spot.

HS November 18, 2020 (6:02 pm)

Regarding the package theft. It looks like the cyclist is the same person – same clothing and build. That also explains the wet hoodie.

Graciano November 19, 2020 (4:44 am)

HS- they do look one as the same don’t they, but does the bike rider have a van parked down the street a ways??? I think not, that would be too much work for someone who steals for a living!

BA November 18, 2020 (9:54 pm)

Is this attack on a defenseless 73 old man being investigated as a hate crime?

1994 November 18, 2020 (10:03 pm)

Aikeem L. Roberts of the smashup/outbursts at QFC & Cafe Ladro and Lonnie W. Jones sound like they have similar anger problems….and lash out at many people. I hope the 73 year old gentleman is recovering well.

Alex S November 19, 2020 (2:32 pm)

More like: anger problems caused by drug problems.

Jamee November 19, 2020 (6:42 am)

Tuesday at 3:00 pm – our neighbors texted us that a white van came by — someone stopped and took a leaf trimmer off of our porch. Looks like the same van/time. 41st and Walnut

Soren November 19, 2020 (10:11 am)

My packages were the ones stolen in the video above. Apparently the boxes and packaging materials were found in the street at 44th & Oregon later in the day.