WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gun pointed from passing car; True Value break-in; stolen green/brown Ford pickup (update: found)

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

GUN POINTED FROM PASSING CAR: Just sent by Tony:

I was walking the dog at the corner of Glenn Way and 46th Ave SW at 11.30 am. Two vehicles – a black sedan and a sliver sedan – drove by; the person in the silver sedan pointed his gun at me. The silver sedan had orange plastic covering the rear passenger window. Minutes later I saw them speeding up Genesee and headed north on 51st. I have the sense they were looking for someone. I called 911 immediately. If anyone sees the vehicles, call 911 right away.

Police radio indicates the vehicles in question are possibly both Hyundais and were subsequently seen in the Morgan Junction area. (12:32 PM UPDATE: Police have confirmed both are stolen cars.)

JUNCTION TRUE VALUE BREAK-IN: The latest business hit with a broken-door break-in is Junction True Value.

We went over to the store after a reader tip. Management told us this happened early today; someone smashed the glass with a piece of concrete. So far, all they’ve confirmed missing is some of the candy kept near the door.

STOLEN FORD PICKUP: Sent by Rosa:

Firefighter husband’s truck was stolen last night. 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty, Super Cab (4 doors), short bed, dark green and brown, license plate on front dash, one on the back of truck, C89366U, firefighter stickers on rear window. Incident number 22-348635.

The pickup was taken near Myrtle Reservoir Park. (SUNDAY UPDATE: It’s been found.)

David December 31, 2022 (12:10 pm)

Can you imagine the True Value burglars sitting on the bench in jail as they are asked by other inmates “what are you in for?” They say burglary and the inmates all slide closer and ask “what did you get?” To which they reply candy and all the other inmates slide away laughing…

Brian December 31, 2022 (2:35 pm)

You’re assuming they arrested the person here.
- WW Resident January 1, 2023 (10:34 am)
  
  You obviously don’t know what using a hypothetical literary narrative to demonstrate the stupidity of the crime is. Can’t seem to get beyond concrete thinking to abstract thinking?
  - AdmyrlByrd January 1, 2023 (3:53 pm)
    
    “Concrete” thinking – I see what you did there….trying to “break through” to Brian?
Pdavis January 2, 2023 (11:43 am)

Your comment me amuse you, but it lacks empathy for taking this situation seriously

J December 31, 2022 (12:12 pm)

A friend just called telling me he had a gun pulled on him walking on 42nd near Metro Market and Bartel Drugstore.
It was two cars as described above.
He looked at them when they were speeding northbound and they u-turned to confront him with the pistol near Bartel’s. Friend has called 911 after this occurred at about 11:25.
Watch out!

KM December 31, 2022 (2:26 pm)

My experience must have been on the front end of these incidents. We live on a hill between Alki and California Avenue. These two cars were speeding up our hill and a man in the car w/ the back passenger window covered, yelled a demeaning and horrible comment to me as I was walking in my driveway. I made no eye contact and looked straight ahead as I quickly walked through my courtyard and into the house. We have lived here for almost 20 years and I have never had anything like this happen. I am sorry for the people who had guns pulled on them. My heart was pounding for 10 minutes, just from being verbally accosted, so I can’t even imagine how they felt. Everyone, stay safe until these guys are in custody.
sean mccarthy December 31, 2022 (6:09 pm)

that person would be me. i filed a police report. thank you to the nice woman who called 911 and handed me her phone. I was just staring at mine collecting myself after running from the street to the bartels entrance. 20 minutes later an officer called me and said they were following them and intimated they could do nothing else until the marauders stopped their vehicles. i assume they refused to pull over and the police can’t force them. i have no clue how you keep order in this situation. wait for them to run out of gas? two stolen cars threatening people with guns? any updates please post. be safe everyone. happy new year.
- Sheesh December 31, 2022 (11:10 pm)
  
  Ridiculous SPD can’t stop aggressive drivers speeding, pointing guns, for hours on end beginning at 5:15 am. Wow. What are other people learning from this? Again, no consequences for illegal activity .
- OneTimeCharley January 1, 2023 (7:28 am)
  
  The minute they had multiple reports from multiple people about guns being pointed at individuals (pellet or otherwise), and the vehicle swerving to intimidate a pedestrian, then the order should have been given to stop the offending vehicles immediately, whether it involved a high speed chase or not. Reports of lives being threatened, from multiple people, describing the same vehicle(s), should result in a persistent chase until apprehended. Period.
  - Flo B January 1, 2023 (10:25 am)
    
    OTC. Agree 100%! Have you told the city council and mayor this? Police can’t/won’t do anything unless they know for CERTAIN elected officials have their back. Police on the street are smart enough to know not to do anything that will get themselves persecuted by the politicians.
  - m January 1, 2023 (10:29 am)
    
    1000% agree.
  - AdmyrlByrd January 1, 2023 (3:56 pm)
    
    Would like to see this scenario brought up at the next Precinct meeting. Curious to see what the response is. I’ll bring it up if I’m there, but not highly likely due to work schedules.

G December 31, 2022 (12:14 pm)

These two cars just went by at high speed heading north on California at Graham in the center lane followed by two police cars.

WW Resident December 31, 2022 (12:47 pm)

That’s what that was about. I wonder if they had to call off the chase and let these POS go?
- WSB December 31, 2022 (1:39 pm)
  
  They were following but not pursuing in the running narrative I heard.
- Rhonda December 31, 2022 (2:16 pm)
  
  If suspected of involvement in a violent crime (like the two gun-pointing incidents) stolen vehicles can be pursued. But stolen vehicles cannot be pursued if not connected to a violent crime or suspected active DUI. This is why criminals like to use stolen vehicles to commit crimes in Washington State these days.
  - H January 1, 2023 (8:55 am)
    
    Don’t forget that it was west Seattle’s state senator — Joe Nguyen — who sponsored that state law that ties the hands of law enforcement in vehicle pursuits. Our community is being terrorized by these people. Think about that before the next election.

M December 31, 2022 (12:55 pm)

Saw the same cars speeding northbound on walnut and they both turned west bound on Admiral way at a very high rate of speed. Silver/white car had very long crease type damage down the drivers side. This type of reckless activity needs to be stopped!!!!

Seattlite December 31, 2022 (1:00 pm)

Unacceptable behavior in a civilized society. What does this behavior tell you about Seattle, King County? No doubt an illegal gun in the hands of a criminal.

Brian December 31, 2022 (2:36 pm)

Guns can’t be illegal. It’s in the constitution that everyone gets one when they’re born. One for each hand, even.
- ok January 1, 2023 (3:03 pm)
  
  Ok Brian, really?
AdmyrlByrd January 1, 2023 (3:58 pm)

You’re assuming we are a civilized society here in the US. In comparison to other countries I’ve visited (notably Japan, Sweden, Finland), there is compassion, honor and respect for each other and none of this stuff. And I’m not sure everyone wants a civilized society, as it involves tough decisions and personal commitment.

Echo December 31, 2022 (1:04 pm)

Those kids are going to point their gun at the wrong person one time, and it is going to result in the tragic loss of life. I struggle to understand what in the heck they are thinking pointing a gun at random people walking the neighborhood.

anotherwitness December 31, 2022 (1:12 pm)

those two cars (or very similar?) were on pigeon point at 9am and myself and another woman innocently walking our dogs got screamed at through an open window as they burned rubber. i didn’t see any gun but i also made a concerted effort not to make eye contact. frightening way to start the morning. can 2022 just end, please?

MT December 31, 2022 (1:47 pm)

I was nearly ran over at the QFC and Ala Mode corner by the blue/black Hyundai. He ran the red while I was walking across from QFC to the park and was inches away from being hit. Several bystanders as witnesses. Found him a few feet ahead at the red light of Alaska junction and then he ran the red light at the first opportunity to go north bound on California. African American, young male, driving a dark black/blue Hyundai with scratches on the body and visible fender benders. Hope they get what’s coming for them. Glad I didn’t die today.

Tyson December 31, 2022 (1:54 pm)

Sounds like the same silver car with a rear window covered by something orange (looked like a towel or fabric possibly) that sped up and swerved trying to hit me while walking down my alley near Hill St around 11am today!

Amadee January 2, 2023 (6:07 pm)

Were you able to get a license plate number? My car was stolen on 12/29/22 and it’s a silver Hyundai Elantra

Rob December 31, 2022 (2:41 pm)

I’ll be walking around with my legal 9 waiting for them to please choose me.

Alkibean December 31, 2022 (5:04 pm)

Thanks Rob…evil in the world needs to stop.
Eddie December 31, 2022 (5:51 pm)

Careful Rob, what you posted could be considered a threat or premeditation in the event your legal 9 causes injury or death, even to some lowlife scum.Just saying. Doesn’t sound entirely like responsible weapon ownership to me.
- Also John January 1, 2023 (5:06 pm)
  
  Exactly what I thought. That was a very irresponsible comment. It tells me he’s out looking to shot and possibly kill someone.

Admiral neighbor December 31, 2022 (2:52 pm)

Hello, around 10:30 this morning I was getting on my bicycle to go for a ride and witnessed the black sedan leading the silver sedan onto our side street. They were going at a high speed which is what got my attention so I stood on neighbors park strip/sidewalk to see what they were up to because they turned onto a dead end off Steven’s. Upon realizing they were on a dead end they both turned around and came back out. The lead black car went by me slowly and the second car veered toward me and almost rode up onto the park strip to hit me. It was definitely a brush back move to intimidate. Windows of both cars were both down but I did not make eye contact or see any guns displayed. The SPD has been notified as well. Just wanted to alert folks to what appears to have been a long morning of dangerous behaviour.

Patrick December 31, 2022 (4:23 pm)

I saw both of these cars race through the Admiral Safeway parking lot onto California at about 5:15 am this morning. They sped down California and turned into the WSHS lot. They then went up and down California several times.

937 December 31, 2022 (4:24 pm)

I concealed carry everywhere I go.

If law enforcement and the city is not going to look out for me, then I will.

Flo B January 1, 2023 (6:34 am)

937. How many times have you pulled your weapon to use/protect?
- Rhonda January 1, 2023 (1:55 pm)
  
  I’ve known police officers who have gone their entire careers without once drawing their sidearms in the field. However, most of those officers have long-since retired or left the force and I can’t think of any current personnel who can say that. Conditions have changed, the population has grown, and the ratio of officers to residents has drastically shrank.
- Also John January 1, 2023 (5:09 pm)
  
  Flo B, unfortunately the majority of these guns end up killing family members who find and play with them.
  - Flo B January 1, 2023 (7:16 pm)
    
    Also John. You’re right. I’d also love to know what % of guns in crooks’ hands were taken in a residential burglary made easy because the homeowner left them out and visible and not locked up when they weren’t home. Unless you’re home 24/7 a gun won’t protect your home. That fact escapes a lot of people.
  - Rhonda January 1, 2023 (8:04 pm)
    
    To make the reckless claim that the majority of the roughly 100 million U.S. gun owners are killed or have family members killed by their guns is absolute nonsense.
    - Flo B January 2, 2023 (6:57 am)
      
      Rhonda. Great. Give us the real verifiable #’s then.
    - WestSeattle January 2, 2023 (6:49 pm)
      
      Flo B please give us some stats on your side of the argument. So far you’ve just stated your opinion, no facts. It’s good to feel righteous though isn’t it?

Seattle13 December 31, 2022 (4:25 pm)

Today at about 11:40am, I was walking back to my car in the small side/south lot at Thriftway. I saw down the alley that runs parallel between California and 42nd, two cars facing me, with a police car behind it. Police were yelling something like, don’t move! The two cars (that fit the description in the article above) came up the alley way too fast, took the sharp corner and almost hit another customer who was returning a cart. (I was yelling at him to back up, to get out of the way.) One of the cars was full of people and the other maybe had two people. The police car followed quickly behind but at a more reasonable speed so that people in the parking lot weren’t put in danger by them. It was scary to see how close the cars came to hitting the other customer. Beyond reckless.

enoughisneough December 31, 2022 (4:38 pm)

I truly hope they are not still on the peninsula this evening tormenting, threatening and possibly causing harm to those of us who are trying to just go about our activities. Stay safe everyone and may we all ring in the new year amidst some welcomed calm and peace!

JAFO December 31, 2022 (5:16 pm)

Description of person(s) pointing the guns?

Dubs December 31, 2022 (7:23 pm)

Look at MT’s comment above, black male teenager.
Mike December 31, 2022 (10:28 pm)

When it’s available, would love to see security camera footage too. Any home or business with camera footage should send to SPD and WSB.

Bswans January 1, 2023 (12:57 am)

Ok, it’s about damn time for auto manufacturers to make it damn near impossible to steal a car. We have the technology! Every car that goes through Big5, potshops, Menasches, etc. are all stolen. I imagine the auto industry, insurance, etc. don’t love the idea as it means more business but this has gotten goddamn ridiculous. Holy hell, it’s 2023, satellites can see my naked ass on my back porch. How the hell is stolen card still a damn thing??

Full Moon January 1, 2023 (10:52 am)

Hey BSWANS, it’s not just the satellites that can see you. The full moon won’t happen until January 6th, yet I saw one last night!

Gatewood resident January 1, 2023 (10:13 am)

Do we know if police apprehended the suspects & cars? Would be bad that they were out all day long and spotted all over town but not caught!

BruceNorris January 1, 2023 (4:20 pm)

Does anyone know if law enforcement arrested these criminals? I’m concerned because my young kids walk our dog around the neighborhood.

Alki resident January 1, 2023 (5:44 pm)

When is this going to stop? Thugs and criminals are terrorizing our community. It’s time to put them all behind bars, for as long as possible. The “diversion” programs aren’t working.

Flo B January 1, 2023 (7:08 pm)

WSB. Any word on where the truck was found and its condition?

WSB January 1, 2023 (7:48 pm)

Where, don’t know. “Trashed” is how Rosa described it.

Chris January 2, 2023 (7:17 am)

Any further word on this situation with the shooters? Have they been caught? We thought we heard gunshots this morning coming off of Alki. Thanks.

Eddie January 2, 2023 (3:07 pm)

Note, these weren’t “shooters”, they were “pointers” or “brandishers”.Stupid distinction, but certainly not the same.

WSB January 2, 2023 (11:13 am)

No access to followup info until the SPD media office reopens tomorrow.

Chris January 3, 2023 (7:03 am)

You are so right Eddie. Still quite scary for people. It will be interesting to know the SPD followup.

WSB January 3, 2023 (2:09 pm)

I checked with police today, No arrests made

Guy January 3, 2023 (2:26 pm)

I saw that truck in the post shoot at a similar description of the darker sedan in the middle of the road on Alki main strip and 59th street. The people in the sedan were firing back as they sped off down Alki Right as the fireworks went off. Had to throw my girlfriend on the ground for cover as many cars parked were being hit by stray bullets. FKN idiots.