WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car thief injures victim; gunfire investigation; stolen wagon (update: recovered)

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:

CAR THIEF HITS VICTIM: This appeared in Tweets By Beat as a “carjacking” but here’s what police say they found out happened, according to the police-report narrative we’ve obtained. They were called to California/Walker around 4:15 am for a report of a stolen white pickup truck. The officer looked around the area for the stolen vehicle and then went to the original scene, discovering someone “lying on the concrete in a parking lot, bleeding from the back of his head.” The victim’s son said he and his father were out searching for the pickup (stolen “earlier in the evening”) after tracking it via an Apple Air tag. They found it and opened a door to confront the thief, who, the report says, “immediately put the vehicle in reverse to flee the area.” The victim was “hit by the open driver-side door as the vehicle sped in reverse. (The victim) was slammed to the concrete and one of his shoes flew off his foot. The vehicle fled northbound through the alleyway.” The thief, now also wanted for hit-run, was described as a Black man, early 30s, 6′ tall, heavy build, wearing a blue sweatshirt. If you have any information on this case, the SPD # is 22-246364.

GUNFIRE INVESTIGATION: Last night before 10 pm, people called 911 to report hearing gunshots near 18th SW and SW Roxbury. Officers found “evidence of a shooting in the roadway,” according to the summary, and also found that an “occupied residence” had been hit by gunfire. No injuries were reported. The gunshots might have come from a vehicle, as, police were told, “A vehicle was seen speeding away SB on 18th SW but was unidentifiable.”

STOLEN WAGON: Reader report from David: “Last evening our beloved Veer Cruiser Wagon was stolen from our front porch off Spokane and 44th.” David is filing a police report; we’ll add the number when it’s available. (Added) Here’s what the wagon looks like.

5:37 PM UPDATE: David says he went looking for the stolen wagon and got it back: “Just took a little drive on Avalon, near the encampments cause I thought it was worth a shot. Saw a guy pushing a Veer Cruiser Wagon across the street. Confronted him and he gave it back to me. Sometimes the good guys do win. There were also some confidential financial documents in there that were probably stolen from a car at some point. I have them and will return them to [the person named in them].” We asked where exactly on Avalon; he said where it meets Spokane, under the bridge.

10 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car thief injures victim; gunfire investigation; stolen wagon (update: recovered)"

  • GoodIdea September 15, 2022 (12:28 pm)

    Never thought of it, but pretty genius to hide an AirTag somewhere in a car to use as a tracker in case it gets stolen.

    • waikikigirl September 15, 2022 (1:12 pm)

      That idea (air tag) has been going around for awhile now but it’s only good if you get the police (professionals) involved for the recovery and not the owner as seen in this instance!

      • Rhonda September 15, 2022 (10:08 pm)

        That thief probably would’ve done the exact same thing to a law enforcement officer (flee in the vehicle after running them done). SPD is FAR too short-staffed to respond to every stolen vehicle call the way other fully-staffed municipality police can.

    • Brian September 15, 2022 (6:05 pm)

      In this case it seems like it was a great way to get a head injury and lose a shoe. 

  • oerthehill September 15, 2022 (12:58 pm)

    Jeez, we just have to tell ourselves that there’s always someone watching and waiting for an opportunity. 

  • David September 15, 2022 (1:12 pm)

    Thanks WSB. I’ve noted that the brand of wagon that was stolen is Veer, not Nuna. I’m getting my baby brands crossed up. Hopefully whoever stole it ditched it and it’s just sitting somewhere out there…

    • WSB September 15, 2022 (1:17 pm)

      Brand updated above.

  • oerthehill September 15, 2022 (3:35 pm)

    Strollers are sold underground. I’ve seen them sold at encampments.

  • Neighbor September 15, 2022 (6:04 pm)

    I live on 18th and heard these shots last night while sitting in bed with the window open. It sounded like it was right outside the window, there were 10-15 shots fired. I also heard the car speed off, and it sounded like It had a loud muffler.  I looked out the window and that felt unsafe,  so I closed the curtains. We locked the doors and while doing it I saw flashlights behind the house. Too close for comfort.  

  • West Seattle neighbor September 15, 2022 (7:00 pm)

    Update: we located the truck, abandoned in an alley by Madison Middle School, thanks to the AirTag. And yes- someone is always watching and waiting. Last night was the first night my husband forgot to put the wheel locks on his truck. Be vigilant! 

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