WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Purse-snatching; catalytic converter taken; gun arrest; another alert about repeat mail-theft suspect

Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

PURSE SNATCHED: According to the police-report summary, an officer at Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton) noticed a “disturbance” in the parking lot around 2:15 pm today and went over to investigate. A 56-year-old woman told police her purse had been stolen; she fought the robber but he shoved her to the ground and took her purse. They found a suspect, “who still had the victim’s property,” according to the report. He was booked into King County Jail for investigation of robbery. The victim suffered neck injuries.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOLEN, AGAIN: We got a call this afternoon from a woman who reported that her Honda Element’s catalytic converter had just been stolen. It happened in the parking lot of Bridge Park (3204 SW Morgan), while she was there visiting her mom for Easter.

GUN ARREST: A man was arrested for unlawful gun possession after an incident in the 9400 block of 18th SW just before 11 am today. The police-report summary says a 911 call came in from a woman saying she had been threatened by someone with a gun. Police say the victim and suspect, who know each other, got into a fight about a jacket. The suspect got mad and pulled a 9mm handgun from his fanny pack, then walked toward the woman. She fled and called police. They found and arrested the suspect, discovering he had a felony criminal record and so could not legally possess a gun. He was booked into King County Jail.

MAIL-THEFT SUSPECT ALERT, AGAIN: A week and a half after repeat mail-theft suspect Jason A. Turner‘s most-recent release from jail – seventh time this year – North Delridge residents say he’s still stealing mail and packages. We got a text from one person last night, and today we heard from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman, who says he’s been hearing from upset residents. He says, “I’d like to encourage people to call 911 if they see him stealing mail. SPD will respond and arrest him — again. We are just as frustrated with Mr. Turner’s continued criminal behavior as the residents of West Seattle, and we will continue to work with the King County Prosecutor’s Office to persuade the judge to keep him in custody.” Turner is tentatively set for trial in May on the four counts of felony stolen-mail possession filed against him in February. (Here’s the original police alert we published in February, including a police-provided photo.)

21 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Purse-snatching; catalytic converter taken; gun arrest; another alert about repeat mail-theft suspect"

  • Auntie April 4, 2021 (7:29 pm)

    Re Turner repeat offender – how many times must he be caught red-handed before some judge with just a smidgen of sense keeps him locked up??? The upstanding citizens of West Seattle are being punished by these mamby-pamby judges, while the criminals tiptoe through the tulips, laughing all the way. It’s pretty hard to vote these judges out of office when they run unopposed. Not sure what we can do to keep unrepentant criminals locked up.

    • Cal-Av April 4, 2021 (8:36 pm)

      I don’t know that it’s entirely the judge at issue, but what I do know is I wouldn’t fault anyone for dealing with him directly. Maybe one of those dye bombs in a bait package…the things in bank money bags. It’s a small step for mankind. He knows you can get away with anything in Seattle. This city is ridiculous. 

    • CD April 4, 2021 (9:17 pm)

      The judiciary system needs to grow a pair. Enoughs enough with criminals, who has the rights these days?

    • Michael April 5, 2021 (10:52 am)

      This has been covered repeatedly here on WSB.  The judges are releasing him because prosecutors are not filing new charges.  This is obviously a broken system but it is important we as a community identify and understand the cause so we can fix it in the next election cycle.

  • flimflam April 4, 2021 (8:16 pm)

    Seriously with this guy yet again? It should not be a shock I suppose with all of those prior offenses. Just how many “low level” crimes equal consequences at some point? He must have stolen 100s of people’s mail by now.

  • Dan April 4, 2021 (8:18 pm)

    This is a joke and a huge slap in the face to our police department. I can’t imagine why an officer would have any motivation to do the job they do when a judge will just release the criminals they risk their lives to catch. Enough is enough, these judges have got to go!

  • Dan April 4, 2021 (8:24 pm)

    Gun arrest- Who even has a fanny pack anymore let alone uses one to keep their gun?

    • Michael April 5, 2021 (10:53 am)

      My (limited) understanding is that the blame really lies with prosecutors in this case.  The judges can only work with what they are given.  I don’t think new judges would change the outcomes here, we need to look to prosecutors to hold people accountable.

    • StopCuttingDownTrees April 5, 2021 (2:09 pm)

      I carry my gun in a fanny pack, but only on bike rides.

    • shotinthefoot April 5, 2021 (3:22 pm)

      Dan, it’s that dang GenZ and their “normcore” style. They brought back fanny packs and mom jeans. 

      • Ws prayers April 6, 2021 (11:05 am)

        Dont forget the crocks too! This year its crocks with socks 🤷‍♀️👎😂

  • 1994 April 4, 2021 (9:18 pm)

    Is there a description available for the Westwood Village robber? And the location of where at WV this happened? I am very sorry for the woman who was robbed and shoved to the ground – in the middle of the day no less! I go to WV at least 1 to 3 times a week for various needs and try not to go after dark. Over the last 3 to 4 years the behaviors of some people at WV have gotten worse and worse.  But I will continue to take my business there because the location is convenient and I don’t want to ‘give in’ to the creepers.  

    • WSB April 4, 2021 (9:59 pm)

      This is the entirety of what I have, from the early-stage police report. I don’t even have the name, though I’ve made a few guesses from the jail roster and will be asking the prosecuting attorney’s office for first-appearance paperwork tomorrow.

  • Beth April 4, 2021 (9:32 pm)

    Time to start carrying self-defense tools.   AND, it’s time Seattle started posting photos of criminals and perpetrators. I want to know what the Westwood Village idiot looks like!

    • 1994 April 6, 2021 (10:40 pm)

      Unfortunately these days it seems there could be an entire wall of Westwood Village idiot photographs – definitely a wall of shame!

  • ~Hockeywitch~ April 4, 2021 (10:26 pm)

    I saw them arresting the man at Westwood today…  there were several people standing around him and an officer.. 2 other officers showed up and I saw he was handcuffed and was being put in the patrol SUV.I hope the lady who’s purse was stolen will be okay. Scary…I  hope she got her bag and everything in it back.. 1994… he was arrested and loaded into the police vehicle near the crosswalk from QFC to RiteAid.

  • StopCuttingDownTrees April 5, 2021 (12:24 am)

    The Westwood Village robbery and the 18 SW felon-with-illegal-gun incidents both highlight how VITAL it is to have SPD either on-scene during the crime or on-scene VERY quickly. It’s almost certain that the purse robbery perpetrator would’ve disappeared on the Rapid Ride line had the SPD officer not witnessed the crime.

  • M April 5, 2021 (6:42 am)

    I still don’t understand why this continued mail theft hasn’t elevated to a Federal crime. 

  • anonyme April 5, 2021 (6:52 am)

    Mr. Turner has chosen an occupation with a high risk for ‘work’ injuries.

  • deoo April 5, 2021 (11:21 am)

    Isn’t mail theft a federal felony penalized with up to 5 year prison time? I’m curious when federal judge can take this case over from county judges.

  • Ws prayers April 6, 2021 (11:13 am)

    Is this guy not equivalent to thw famous “jessica and her dog”….something just aint right with prosecuting these 2 people.. they victimize people over and over again just to go to jail get out do it again. Seems like its a bit more …i personally know people being held accountable in legal system for waaaay less for what one of these people have done seems they have some kind of emancipation-some kind of deal….on the down low…just from observation combined with personal knowledge of others who have commited crime(same kind of stuff just way less-but held way more accountable) i have an inability to stay silent when it comes to injustice…of course vote the judges out but maybe its deeper than that. . the fact jessica still has that dog in tow when she is out commiting her crime is testimony alone.. of what….is really going on?

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