WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Teen assaulted, harassed in park; package theft

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

PARK ASSAULT: Robin emailed to report what happened to her high-risk teenager one week ago:

My 14 year-old son was out last Sunday biking in Schmitz Park. He’s been told to distance by his nephrologist and the Mayo Clinic physicians who monitor his rare kidney disorder, so this is one of the only outdoor activities still available to him. Sadly, he’s not allowed to see friends or family outside of our “pod,” who have been required to observe pretty extreme distancing measures to keep him from contracting COVID. Three people came up on the trail with “rock crawler” RC cars, and he asked for a second to move; they said they wanted the space and he tried to move, explaining he needed to stay socially distanced because it would be very bad if he was exposed to COVID, due to his condition.

At that point, one of the ADULT MEN then got in my son’s face (as my son left his bike behind, trying to escape up the side of a hill) screaming at him that the COVID pandemic is a hoax, that my son was a “liberal retard” for wearing a mask and staying distanced from others; then proceeded to breathe hard on my kid, following him in a menacing manner, to drive home his (rather asinine) point about the pandemic.

Moms are amazing, and one who had heard about this experience sent us video of them back in the park. We’d like to identify the man (wearing the black coat and camo backpack) who accosted my child, as well as the other two “men” (to use the term loosely) who looked on and did nothing.

Anyone who has heard about this has been disgusted, and the response has showed us that West Seattle isn’t this guy. For our kid, this really, really was rough. He has literally not seen a friend face to face since March. Not hung out, not been with peers. So “breaking quarantine” with this guy was just terrible.

They have filed a police report – 20-326928 – so if anyone has tips or encounters the same people/behavior, please call police and reference that number.

PACKAGE THEFT: Elisa emailed to report: “Just want to give the Arbor Heights community a heads up on this porch pirate hanging around a little before 1 pm today. The box he was trying to steal was an empty treat box for the postal workers so he threw it up on the lamp post and drove off.” Here’s a photo of the person and car.

42 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Teen assaulted, harassed in park; package theft"

  • Julia November 23, 2020 (3:34 pm)

    Wow, both such discouraging stories. Sometimes I feel happy staying in my “bubble” where everyone is kind and honest.

  • Steve November 23, 2020 (3:40 pm)

    I’ll be rerouting my jog to Schmitz Park and some adult may accidently get their toy car kicked as I stride by with my mask.

  • Guy November 23, 2020 (3:49 pm)

    It looks like I’ll have to go hiking more often in Schmitz Park, very sorry to hear about your son being threatened while doing the right thing. 

  • Jim November 23, 2020 (4:03 pm)

    Robin — so sorry your son and family had to experience these bullies.  I hope he still feels he can go outside and enjoy exercise without being assaulted.  Hoping someone can identify these horrible people.    

  • Henrydpainter November 23, 2020 (4:10 pm)

    That   Area   Is  always  quiet  ,     I think   The police  should  patrol it  more ,     So  sad    This  happened to you  kid ,   Thanks  God   The didn’t  pull a knife or   A gun  on him,   I hope  they catch  this  people!!!!

  • flimflam November 23, 2020 (4:17 pm)

    what a complete piece of, uh, “work” that guy is. he will do that to the wrong person one day and be reminded of his manners.

    • Henrydpainter November 23, 2020 (4:27 pm)

      That’s right  !!! Karma   Is   A  🏖,     

  • sc November 23, 2020 (4:33 pm)

     “Bullies are always to be found where there are cowards.” -Mahatma Gandhi

    • Tonka November 24, 2020 (7:15 am)

      Also, Confucius say “Grown Man who Play with Kid Toy in Park still Grown Man”Playing with toys makes you suspect, picking on a 14 year old proves it.

  • Alki Mom November 23, 2020 (4:34 pm)

    Robin, we are appalled and disgusted at this heartless attack on your Son. Anyone would be traumatized by such a vicious encounter. Especially someone young who has done everything to stay safe, according to CDC guidelines. Our hearts go out to you and your Son. Hugs and prayers. 

  • KT November 23, 2020 (4:59 pm)

    So sorry for this young man’s traumatic encounter with these science-denying MAGA morons.  I hope you can identify them so they can be properly outed for the morons they are.

  • DD November 23, 2020 (5:46 pm)

    This is heartbreaking and I hope your son was not exposed to any immune compromising viral or bacterial matter by this assault. As someone who has some physical constraints I’ve avoided the park lately because I  cannot safely run from anyone. But now I’m motivated to make it part of my walking route, with others who responded in kind, above, to tilt the balance , and hopefully prevent another such episode. 

  • Gill & Alex November 23, 2020 (5:46 pm)

    Hope your son stays virus free!  We’ll have our fingers crossed for him.

  • onion November 23, 2020 (5:52 pm)

    I’m trying to picture the location. Most of the Schmitz Park trails are not conducive either to bikes or to RC cars — in fact, they would be prohibited on the trails. I assume we are talking about the entrance road from Stevens or the roadway up from Schmitz Elementary. The image suggests otherwise, but not matter.  In any case, the behavior described is beyond boorish and closer to criminal. People in other parts of the country have been arrested for deliberately breathing on others during this pandemic. These  jackasses would deserve nothing less.

  • Azimuth November 23, 2020 (6:00 pm)

    Some guy in Virginia was just charged with assault for breathing on some protestors. Different circumstances but arguably your son’s story is far worse given his age and the circumstances. Try not to let the police ignore you.

  • findhim November 23, 2020 (6:08 pm)

    What can we do to help find this person? Maybe someone could organize a reward for information that we could all donate to?  People know who these guys are, maybe a reward would persuade them to come forward.

    • Robin November 23, 2020 (7:29 pm)

      That is a nice offer and idea – but these guys will get their due karma. Donate to all the families who need Thanksgiving food and nonprofits who are struggling. Really appreciate all the support and knowing all of West Seattle won’t stand this behavior. 

      • findhim November 23, 2020 (7:59 pm)

        So sweet of you.

  • ScubaFrog November 23, 2020 (6:16 pm)

    That breaks my heart to hear a teen went through this.  These guys sound like monsters, and I hope the SPD finds them, and charges them appropriately.  To think that adults would accost a minor in any manor is beyond me (to think anyone would do this to another human being is beyond me).  I’m so grateful we live in a community that doesn’t tolerate it.  

  • HS November 23, 2020 (7:08 pm)

    Please convey to your son that he is amazing for having worked so hard to stay healthy these last 8 months. At some point during that time, even though he’s only 14, he must have become a man. Because men are strong (endure hardship); considerate of their bodies, their family and know their own value within a family; and watch out for others. I very much hope that person did not get you sick. 

  • TM November 23, 2020 (7:54 pm)

    Sorry young guy. These guys are truly tools. Don’t let it worry you too much or disrupt your groove, you’re living larger than they are. Good on you for laying low over these months, it’ll hopefully be over soon and you can get back to hanging with your good friends.

  • Nwem November 23, 2020 (8:22 pm)

    I saw these remote control car racers in the park. I didn’t see the incident but definitely saw the guys with their toys. 

    • AA November 23, 2020 (9:09 pm)

      I saw them as well. The story says “last Sunday”, is that a week ago Sunday or just yesterday? Usually when day before people just say yesterday. Anyway, I harp on about this because I saw the same three guys yesterday. If the reported incident was the Sunday before then we have a pattern.

      • WSB November 23, 2020 (9:15 pm)

        Eight days ago.

        • Robin November 23, 2020 (9:53 pm)

          8 days ago, but I have confirmation they were also there yesterday. 

        • AA November 23, 2020 (10:07 pm)

          Yesterday they were there around 11:30-1, on the side trails on the east side of the park that lead up to the neighborhood

  • Ivan Weiss November 23, 2020 (8:29 pm)

    Are these vehicles even legal in the parks, and if so, why?

  • Jort November 23, 2020 (8:32 pm)

    I am sorry that our cancerous, poisoned politics would cause an adult man to do such an awful, inhuman thing to a 14-year-old boy. This is not a “both sides” issue. What the Republican Party has enabled and encouraged in their supporters is fundamentally destructive to our society and I am genuinely worried about how we as a country will ever be able to walk back from this ledge.

    • waughtown November 23, 2020 (9:27 pm)

      Please do not blame this assault on Republicans…….or Democrats for that matter.  You and others trying to stereotype this guy as “Republican” is discriminatory.  You have no concrete proof of what party he may or may not belong to.  What we do know is he needs to be punished for the assault.

      • arroyosandy November 24, 2020 (6:10 am)

        They called a 14 year old kid a “liberal retard” and call the pandemic a hoax. These “men” are definitely republicans of the Trump variety who have been fueled by Trump and the spineless republicans in Congress who have supported this kind of juvenile behavior the past four years.

      • Alki-Is-Home November 24, 2020 (9:36 am)

        Oh please…we all know what he is and what he stands for.  And it sounds like you’re part of his posse.  

  • zark00 November 23, 2020 (8:51 pm)

    Fortunately it doesn’t matter if this moron believes in a global pandemic or not, this is still considered assault, and he is now a criminal; a criminal who assaulted a minor.  Hopefully this man will be quickly found, charged, and punished for his crime. 

  • Gina November 23, 2020 (9:24 pm)

    A week ago Sunday I saw a grown man with a neon green remote control truck alongside the creek. Truck was the size of a Tonka truck and was in the area with the rocks to cross the creek. At the same time some off leash dogs were having it out on the path. Didn’t see any kids on bikes. Did see one of the further back trails set up with dirt jumps.

  • Practice November 24, 2020 (5:28 am)

    Sounds like I need ti practice my biodegradable paintball skills in the RC, might be a shame if the guy were in the background and some bounced off him.

  • Ok November 24, 2020 (6:09 am)

    https://youtu.be/WaaOiuHi8Qc ?

  • Patience November 24, 2020 (6:58 am)

    Robin – thank you for sharing your son*s experience.  Did your son get his bike back?  If not, please give a description as someone may have found it.

    • Robin November 24, 2020 (4:01 pm)

      He did – thank you.

  • WS Commenter November 24, 2020 (11:04 am)

    Re: Elisa- my neighbor caught that same guy attempting to steal a package off their porch (opened the door right as he was about to grab it) in Fairmount Park yesterday. Sounds like he was following the FedEx truck.

  • al November 24, 2020 (11:49 am)

    Robin, so sad to hear that this happened to your son.  I have a almost 13 yo with out any compromising issues- and that would of really scared her.   Even without the pandemic- this person is a menace to our community and hopefully- someone can provide the police some more information on him.   Not a lot of respect for others.   Sounds like this guy needs to get his RC crushed.

  • Virginia November 24, 2020 (1:48 pm)

      I’m so sorry this happened, that kind of behavior is just inexcusable, and one more stressor that no one really needs right now.   I’m immunocompromised myself, and it may not work depending on where you live, but I walk down the alleys, because it’s it’s easier to stay distanced from people without having to change direction or walk in the street constantly. I know it’s not as interesting as the park, and people shouldn’t have change their habits because of jerks, but it’s an option.

    • Robin November 24, 2020 (4:02 pm)

      Thanks for that Virginia – we have done that biking too! It’s a great tip. Stay healthy. 

  • Clayton November 25, 2020 (8:45 pm)

    A KIRO 7 reporter interviewed our kid today about this experience and the story will air tonight at 11.

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