WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Store robbery

Thanks for the tips about a big police response around 8:30 pm at the Walgreens store in High Point. We were off-peninsula for tonight’s graduations so didn’t get there in time to talk with police, but according to archived audio, the store was robbed by a group described as teenagers in ski masks, at least one with a gun. They were reported to have gotten away with the register and “a lot of merchandise” including bottles of liquor. Given everything they got away with, police surmised they had a getaway vehicle somewhere nearby. If you have any information, the incident # is 23-180135.

SpencerGT June 27, 2023 (11:10 pm)

Dang.

ArborHguy June 27, 2023 (11:26 pm)

Hmm, teenagers, liquor..maybe check the parks for underage party?

Chris J June 27, 2023 (11:58 pm)

The level of gun violence in West Seattle has reached a worrying level.

Jl June 28, 2023 (7:44 am)

Any gun violence is worrying

TJ June 28, 2023 (8:44 am)

Keep tabs on the High Point Library parking lot. There are groups of teenagers who congregate there and do donuts before speeding off to wherever. They drove and left a stolen Elantra in that parking lot earlier this month which police recovered the next day. I have also seen them there recently with a car full of brand new bags of designer merchandise, which seems implausible for kids to afford. Maybe there’s a connection.

HP June 28, 2023 (1:09 pm)

Are you talking about the kids who are driving cars without /covered license plates and park in back of the High Point Library parking lot in the handicap spots? The 12-16 years old who back their cars into the handicap spots to have more visibility over the parking entrance & be able to quickly leave? They sell/deliver drugs. I don’t think they need to do armed robberies. They have been using the library parking lot to do business for a few years. In previous years they would come after dark, when the library would be closed, and use the parking lot as their home base between deliveries. In the morning you would see a pile of garbage/ fast food where they were parked. Now I see these teens during the day as well. One of their cars (the Toyota Camry with the red Toyota of Olympia “license”) has bullet holes in it. Others, are pretty nice (silver Kia K9 with the Legend Auto Sale “license” and the white Volkswagen with the CAR PROS). Sometimes they drive like maniacs. They have prompt service :). I talked with the police over a year ago and they are aware of the situation. The police also met with the library staff to discuss the issue. SHA hires a security officer a few nights a week to patrol High Point. I have seen him actively engaging these kids and asking them to leave when the parking lot is closed. Sometimes the security officer parks next to their cars and keeps an eye on them. Only once I have seen them being violent. They were beating another kid about two years ago. I called 911, and the dispatch told me that it is not illegal to fight in Seattle. The vast majority of our neighborhood kids are wonderful kids. The library parking lot kids are the exception.
- TJ June 28, 2023 (1:40 pm)
  
  Yes, I do agree as an HP resident that the majority of people in our community are wonderful. The parking lot has unfortunately been a problem area that is getting worse. In the last couple months, there’s been an uptick in activity there, and not just overnight. There is still trash left in the mornings where the kids eat in the cars and don’t throw away their fast food bags. Lately, I’ve been seeing the kids doing donuts and blasting music even in the mornings on weekends. I did call in the stolen car to police this month as it had been debadged. It’s unfortunate that this is what the kids are choosing to do when there are much better pathways for them. I hope they’re able to get mentorship and turn things around. I just don’t think enough is being done to keep the parking lot and the surrounding homes and apartments secure for the neighborhood.
- Rhonda June 28, 2023 (1:55 pm)
  
  Contrary to whatever 911 told you, it’s absolutely illegal to fight not only in Seattle but anywhere else in the state. Whenever you see someone being assaulted like that, especially by multiple assailants, ALWAYS call it in as an assault and never a “fight”.
  - Danimal June 29, 2023 (12:10 am)
    
    That’s not exactly correct. You can fight in Seattle, if it is mutually agreed upon combat, and as long as there is no physical risk to a third party, nor risk of property damage.
- Alki resident June 28, 2023 (9:50 pm)
  
  All of those cars you described sound stolen. If they only have paper plates saying which dealerships, they very likely are.
Tammy June 30, 2023 (12:55 pm)

I have seen that too. Walk my dog nearby.