CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Charges filed in carjacking, robbery; community help for another carjack victim

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch, both involving carjackings:

CHARGES FILED: We’ve been reporting since Friday on the arrest of a woman found in the Harbor Island area after a carjacking north of downtown.

(Friday photo from commenter Jeepney)

There was also word she was suspected of robbing someone on Harbor Island before police found her. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed charges in both incidents. 25-year-old Rachael M. Agnew-Toland is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery. The charging documents recount the carjacking circumstances we detailed in our previous followup, with Agnew-Toland accused of pulling the driver out of her parked car and then stealing it. They also provide new information on the Harbor Island robbery, which was only mentioned in passing in the previously available documents. Police say Agnew-Toland approached a man who was “working on securing a vehicle to his (auto-)transport truck” in the 2500 block of 13th SW, asked him for a ride, then entered the cab and took a tablet computer, phone, and credit card. He tried to stop her, according to the charging documents, and was injured in the ensuing struggle. She allegedly grabbed a tire iron, menaced him, and left. Police found her at a bus stop. Their report also notes she acknowledged using meth earlier in the day, and they found vials on her believed to contain some, along with a pipe. She has no criminal record and remains in jail in lieu of $5,000 bail – that amount was fixed at an earlier appearance, you’ll recall, though prosecutors had asked for $75,000.

CROWDFUNDING: No arrest so far in the West Seattle carjacking we reported almost two weeks ago, in which two men pulled a woman out of her car behind her senior-housing apartment complex in Admiral. The car was found in Northgate, but it’s got problems and that’s left the victim in a world of hurt, reports her son. She’s 74 years old, still working, and the car’s in the shop with thousands of dollars in damage done by the carjackers. Son Eric has launched crowdfunding to help her get a “new (used) car.” If you can help, here’s the link.

CarDriver May 12, 2022 (1:01 pm)

WSB. You had a story earlier that added a note about a woman yelling for help for a possible kidnapping. Was there any follow-up by SPD to elaborate on that?

WSB May 12, 2022 (2:24 pm)

As noted in several other places, including what I added to the original mention, no, they apparently found nothing.

WSResident May 12, 2022 (1:13 pm)

All that and only $5000 bail.

Jeff May 12, 2022 (1:35 pm)

Are there any updates coming on the hit and run death of the pedestrian the other night? I know the driver eventually returned, but hit and run ought to be a serious offense! It feels a little bit like the public is being kept in the dark on this one (not by WSB, but in wider news).

WSB May 12, 2022 (2:22 pm)

There is no new information. I checked again with police and prosecutors today. The investigation continues. Sometimes it takes months before charges are filed – if they are filed at all.
CarDriver May 12, 2022 (2:32 pm)

Adding to what WSB said. My lawyer friend always shakes his head in amusement at how many people think real life should mimic tv. Too many people are sure every case can and should be solved in an hour. Too many think if tv can solve,charge,hand down punishment in 60 minutes than our justice system can, and should do the same.

MG May 12, 2022 (1:36 pm)

$5,000 bail for violent crimes is ridiculous. It’s no wonder that we have so many repeat offenders.

B May 12, 2022 (2:23 pm)

Bail is not meant as punishment, it’s meant as a way to induce someone to show up for court. If someone is a continuous danger then there should be a hearing to hold them without bail. Otherwise, rich criminals can get out and poor ones can’t, which isn’t justice.
- Jim May 12, 2022 (9:28 pm)
  
  If you use a bail bondsman rich or poor can usually get out. $5,000 bail is 500 bucks that gets returned to you when you show up for court
  - Mina May 13, 2022 (7:03 am)
    
    No, that $500 is the bondsman’s fee. It doesn’t get returned.

CarDriver May 12, 2022 (2:14 pm)

wsresident/mg. Tell us what you’re doing to fix the system so there’s real accountability.

WSResident May 12, 2022 (4:13 pm)

What am I doing – Commenting in the comments section just like you!If you feel you need show off or brag about all the social justice you are doing perhaps you should find a better venue. Its just a comments section on a local blog site. Get over yourself.
Adam May 12, 2022 (4:49 pm)

Pretty much same exact thing as you and I, commenting on neighborhood blogs. Cheers to your success