CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Suspect arrested, charged in West Marginal carjacking

A short police summary from the weekend noted that, at 2 pm Saturday, “officers were searching for a suspect wanted for armed carjacking and eluding police … located the man mowing his lawn outside of his home and took him into custody.” Pursuing further information, we learned that the suspect was wanted for the May 12th shot-fired carjacking incident on West Marginal Way. 28-year-old James C. French was charged three weeks ago with first-degree robbery, and that’s why police had a warrant to arrest him on Saturday.

(WSB photo, May 12th)

The charging documents say French first caught police’s attention May 12th near 40th/Dakota, as what turned out to be a stolen vehicle was being loaded onto a trailer. Police caught up with the Ford Expedition towing the trailer under the West Seattle Bridge and tried to pull it over; the driver, believed to be French, didn’t comply. Police did not pursue but shortly thereafter happened onto a collision involving the Expedition and trailer (above) and another vehicle. French and others were photographed walking away from the scene toward a nearby gas station, where French is accused of stealing another vehicle at gunpoint, firing a shot in the process. Police found that stolen vehicle near 21st and Holly. The charging documents say that’s near French’s house, though police didn’t yet know that he was the suspect. They did find his ex-girlfriend, who said the Expedition was hers and that she already knew about it because someone had shown her, the charging document says, “a photo of her crashed white Expedition on the West Seattle Blog.” The investigation continued, and within a few days, police say, the carjacking victim identified French’s photo from a montage. He was charged May 24th but did not show up for his scheduled arraignment last week, so the warrant was issued. He’s now in jail in lieu of $150,000 bail. According to court documents, he has no prior felony record.

Rhonda June 13, 2022 (8:46 pm)

So, French was obviously arrested after this incident prior to his May 24th arraignment, which means he was let out loose in the community by a judge after committing an armed violent crime. He should’ve been on the $150,000 bail after his first arrest. Re-arresting him after his failure to appear put officers in danger. He also could’ve easily fled to another state or out of the country.

WSB June 13, 2022 (9:20 pm)

No, that is an incorrect assumption. He was not in custody when charged nor at any time prior. The arrest last Saturday was his first arrest in this case.

Lisa June 13, 2022 (8:54 pm)

Can’t help but note that this little crime spree was committed by a housed person.

flimflam June 14, 2022 (6:28 am)

this whole “can’t pursue (most) criminals” thing is weird.

momosmom June 14, 2022 (7:38 am)

It’s strange you get in your mind that criminals are nothing but no good and then you read this… or was he just keeping up “appearances” as being a good neighbor and mowing his lawn and his side job is stealing from others!???

Lola June 14, 2022 (7:55 am)

Lets hope they do not let him off with just a slap on the wrist. We need some justice here. I hope the carjacking victim can press charges against him. We cannot let this keep happening in our community. They all think they are above the law when they do crimes like these. Please show them that they can’t get away with this. I would hope the GF would press charges for ruining her car but probably not.

KBear June 14, 2022 (5:32 pm)

I hope for justice here as well, but victims do not “press charges” in our legal system. That’s a TV trope. It’s up to the prosecutor.
- WSB June 14, 2022 (5:37 pm)
  
  It is, but the language used sometimes in police radio communication is that the victim “didn’t want to be a victim” – there certainly are exceptions but if the victim doesn’t want to prosecute, the case may not go forward.