WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Bus-stop robbery; garage burglary

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

BUS-STOP ROBBERY: Just after 9 pm last night, someone was beaten and robbed by a person who followed them off a Metro Route 21 bus around 35th/Juneau. The initial police report says the robber “first approached” the victim on the bus; “a brief conversation ensued, and the victim got off the bus. The (robber) followed … then attacked the victim by punching them several times in the face, body and legs. Victim’s phone was destroyed during the attack, and the (robber) forcibly took the victim’s iPad Pro and ran off.” The victim was checked out by SFD for what the report described as minor injuries. No arrest, and the report does not include a description.

One reader report today:

GARAGE BURGLARY: After an early-morning garage break-in, Hans got some of the stolen items back, but a Santa Cruz mountain bike is still missing (photo and bike details here). His report:

Someone broke into our detached garage near the West Seattle water tower this morning at 5:51:20, and left at 5:56:20. Upon arrival they inspected car windows, then broke into garage – we immediately heard the garage, called the police at 5:52.

The burglars remained in the garage for 5 min, while the police triaged the situation. They biked away down Manning on the stolen bikes with bags of goods (see the list below). Police were able to intercept both of them around 37th and Manning, where they dumped goods and scattered. One ditched a bike (presumably because of flat tires) and went on foot through the Belvedere neighborhood, the other headed for the pedestrian bridge. They left behind several items, including a bike they came with, and items from other house(s) they had broken into. They emptied a hockey bag, (importantly: violating the most sacred of unwritten rules by coming in close contact with a hockey jockstrap/athletic supporter). Police did not fingerprint, but made a report.

Stolen items: Monitor, 2 bikes, Power Tools, hockey bag (with 1 single hockey skate, hockey shin pads, bluetooth speakers) and a couple of jerseys.

Police recovered 1 bike, monitor and tools, hockey gear, but mountain bike is still missing.

There was a Nest camera turned on on the garage (video); both suspects appear to be in t-shirt + sweatshirt combo, beanie hats.

Police report # is 20-062504.

Bus Rider March 14, 2021 (2:15 pm)

WSB, do you know if SPD will look at Metro video from the bus? I always wonder if the video cameras are ever used to catch a crime. I ride the 120 and there’s been a few incidents that happen at the back of the bus, which the driver isn’t aware of. I don’t blame the drivers, its a long way from the front to the back and when the heater is up or the bus is crowded, its hard to be aware of what’s going on in the entire bus.

WSB March 14, 2021 (2:30 pm)

Can’t say if they will in this specific case, but certainly they have in past high-profile cases.
erin98126 March 14, 2021 (3:42 pm)

Perhaps you could get up and tell the bus driver next time. I had to sit through verbal abuse and a threat to my life on the 21 before someone finally went up and told the bus driver. I was terrified and refuse to ever ride the bus again.
- trickycoolj March 14, 2021 (6:44 pm)
  
  This following off the bus stuff used to happen in my Northgate neighborhood where they’d try to tail someone into their apartment building. Not sure if it still exists but Metro used to have a Night Stop program that you could ask the driver to stop anywhere along the route and it was up to the driver’s discretion if they can safely stop at your requested location. I did this numerous times when they consolidated stops on Meridian Ave N and requested they stop at the old stop next to my building rather than walk a long ways in a dark not well travelled area.
David Fairbanks March 16, 2021 (6:36 am)

Yes , video will be retrieved from three coaches that fit the time line given in the report and forwarded to SPD detectives for their follow-up.

Resident March 14, 2021 (3:11 pm)

I watched one of the guys ditch his hoodie in my yard while running from the police. I assume he is the one that went towards the pedestrian bridge.

S March 14, 2021 (3:56 pm)

DNA on the sweatshirt?
- Resident March 14, 2021 (5:21 pm)
  
  I waved down an officer and they took it.
  - WSeaperson March 15, 2021 (11:55 am)
    
    yeah, sure. I’ll just check with the boys down at the crime lab, they’ve got four more detectives working on the case. They got us working in shifts!

wseaturtle March 14, 2021 (3:49 pm)

“Car54 where are you?”

NearWaterTower March 14, 2021 (4:42 pm)

Ring video from 5 minutes prior seems to be the same individuals. Bag was yellow with thick black straps
https://neighbors.ring.com/n/AmOGdlw8eZ

Derek March 15, 2021 (8:59 am)

Where was the garage break in location? Would be helpful if you added that to your post!

WSB March 15, 2021 (9:13 am)

Locations are mentioned several times. We don’t require people to give the exact address as long as a vicinity is mentioned, “West Seattle water tower,” Manning, and Belvedere would all signify the neighborhood east of California/Charlestown.
- Question Authority March 15, 2021 (10:19 am)
  
  It’s officially called the (Seattle Public Utilities/Water Operations – Charlestown Standpipe)
- Derek March 15, 2021 (12:53 pm)
  
  I saw Manning but no cross streets. Belvedere neighborhood is fairly big and there’s two major “water towers” in West Seattle, so it wasn’t super clear. At least in this post. Didn’t see previous ones. And what pedestrian bridge? Andover one? I mean which?

Sorry, comment time is over.