WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Updates on carjacking, robbery suspects; another catalytic converter stolen

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

CARJACKING ARREST FOLLOWUP: On Friday, we reported on the Harbor Island-vicinity arrest of a woman suspected in a carjacking north of downtown. The 25-year-old suspect remains in jail, bail set at $5,000 though the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says they requested $75,000 bail. We’ve obtained the probable-cause documents, which say the carjacking victim was pulled out of her parked Subaru Forester near 8th Avenue North and Thomas Street (map) just before 3:30 pm Friday. Police got word about 10 minutes later that the car was “seen driving up on railroad tracks, and (the carjacker) was seen fleeing the Subaru.” The car was found abandoned on tracks southeast of the low bridge. Police searched the area and even used the Guardian One helicopter to look, but didn’t find anyone – until they got word someone had been robbed of their wallet somewhere in the Harbor Island vicinity, and that led them to the suspect.

JESSICA BEACH: Last week we reported on the robbery charge filed against 34-year-old Jessica M. Beach for threatening staff at the South Delridge T-Mobile store while stealing merchandise. We mentioned a separate assault case that the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had filed against her the same day, but weren’t able to immediately obtain information. Today we have those charging documents. She was charged with third-degree assault for hitting a man in the head with a golf club April 21st while he was trying to detain an alleged associate of hers after a burglary in Burien. Beach remains in jail, bail set at $150,000 total for the robbery and assault cases.

One reader report today …

ANOTHER CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT: Jerry Simmons, who often shares photos here and elsewhere online, is the latest victim. Thieves took the catalytic converter from a truck used in his plumbing business:

Jerry says this happened in the Fairmount Park area.

10 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Updates on carjacking, robbery suspects; another catalytic converter stolen"

  • Classcair May 9, 2022 (8:43 pm)

    Trying not to be just another negative commenter, but $5,000 bail for a carjacker suspect?  Glad the prosecutors tried for more though.

    • carl May 10, 2022 (12:55 am)

      Wouldn’t it be nice if our judges and politicians cared about the victims as much as the criminals?

      • StupidinSeattle May 10, 2022 (8:35 am)

        3:30 in the afternoon and pulled out of her own car.  None of us are safe in our vehicles out in the city until the police can address carjacking.  Probably need Federal assistance.

    • Jay May 10, 2022 (8:53 am)

      A violent crime like carjacking just shouldn’t have bail. Bail should be reserved for nonviolent crimes. The suspect only needs to come up with 10% (only $500) to walk.

      • Neighbor May 10, 2022 (12:37 pm)

        You are speaking with the benefit of never being falsely accused.  In the United States we presume innocence.  Our system is optimized to avoid incarcerating the innocent.  To the point that sometimes the guilty go free.  We accept this as part of the price of liberty.  What you are advocating for is a philosophy that this country has been deliberately built to avoid.

  • sls May 10, 2022 (9:32 am)

    Who is buying all these catalytic converters?? They are complicit in these crimes. Need some regulation there.

    • Neighbor May 10, 2022 (12:41 pm)

      Nobody.  The cats get melted down into raw materials in backyard furnaces then the materials are sold individually.  This is a nationwide problem with no obvious solution.  It’s a symptom of a system that doesn’t give people better options.

    • zark00 May 10, 2022 (12:49 pm)

      Junk yards and parts resellers. By far most of the cats sold to wrecking yards are completely legit. From totaled cars, exhaust rebuilds/upgrades, custom builds, etc.  There is regulation, buying and selling stolen goods is illegal. What you are asking for is police to comb through thousands of cats sold and determine which are stolen and which are legitimate – not even remotely feasible.  Or, just disallow wrecking yards form buying them, which would be punishing them for doing nothing wrong.  They have no more ability to determine if cats are stolen than you do.  The dollar amount is low for all intents and purposes, this is basically petty crime, it’s covered by insurance, it’s just not that big of a deal.  It’s a hassle for the owner of the car, sure, it’s not fair to that person, agree. But it’s not something you actually want police resources dedicated to. 

  • Jeepney May 10, 2022 (10:02 am)

    Here is a photo of the carjacking suspect being placed under arrest.

  • Lola May 10, 2022 (11:06 am)

    So sorry to hear that Jerry was struck by these Catalytic  Car Thieves.  I just wish the junk yards or whomever is buying them would stop. 

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