CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Awareness campaign launched after more than two dozen sexual-harassment reports

That’s the poster (full-size PDF here) that local women have been distributing around the area to warn others about a man suspected in multiple incidents of sexual harassment. We first published a reader report about this on December 30th; one of the women involved emailed us the poster today, explaining, “Since emailing you on this originally, we are now up to more than 2 dozen similar reports (majority in West Seattle but some in Burien and White Center as well) of harassment via social media reports – the most recent on Sunday near the West Seattle Farmers Market, which they reported on our original blog post.” (Here’s the link to that comment.) They asked us to again publish a photo of the man’s pickup truck:

And they want you to know that if you have an incident to report, SPD has told them to advise victims to please call it in to 911 and. refer to SPD incident # 24-002311.

waikikigirl January 10, 2024 (2:29 pm)

WSB, It looks like the case# is different on the flyer than what they gave you. On the flyer there are no zeros. ???

WSB January 10, 2024 (5:40 pm)

The full case numbers, in the early part of the year before they get to six digits, include zeroes. (The first case of the year was 24-000001, etc.) But you can certainly also refer to 24-2311 rather than 24-002311 and the dispatcher will know what you mean …

Ash January 10, 2024 (2:36 pm)

Thank you WSB for helping to keep the community informed and safe with your coverage of this and other situations here in West Seattle.

Cat January 10, 2024 (3:02 pm)

Thank you for sharing these posters, map, and clearer photo of the truck. This same man in the truck approached me this summer as I was waiting for the Route 50 bus on the northside of SW Genesee St near 30th Ave SW (stop #19978). The truck turned left off of 30th Ave SW and was heading east on SW Genesee St. He stuck is head out of the car to yell out at me, “You know you have a great body”. He stuck his head literally out the window to cat call at me. It was really gross and disturbing, so much so that a woman waiting for the bus on the other side of the street came up to me to tell me how disgusting that was. I am not sure exactly what date it happened, but it was definitely this summer. It would be useful if the map were easier to see and if we could make suggestions to where he has been spotted.

Lola January 10, 2024 (4:00 pm)

CAT, it has been posted on Nextdoor as well with a more detailed map if you are on there. Not sure if that will help. I am surprised that he has not been caught yet as on Nextdoor they have said that it has been as far back as 2020 that he has been doing this, and he has been doing it as far as Burien. It seems like he sticks to bus routes and seeks out single women who walk or jog alone. Be careful out there. I hope they can catch him soon.

Victim#10 January 10, 2024 (4:35 pm)

I personally thought this was a one off when his truck approached me but the vulgarity of his comments, still haunt me. It’s incredible how many women have stepped forward and have shown this guy is a total creepy. He needs to be stopped and held accountable before it escalates. Stay vigilant neighbors!

flimflam January 10, 2024 (4:41 pm)

It’d be a shame if he gets caught be an angry father, brother, husand, etc – or all 3.

anonyme January 11, 2024 (5:45 am)

Agree, although a bunch of pissed-off women might be interesting as well.

Christopher B. January 10, 2024 (4:43 pm)

The Reddit thread about this case seemed to include a license plate at some point. Based on that, and some of the other things mentioned about the suspect’s past charges/convictions, I was under the impression that the identity of this person was known to the police. But this story reads as though his identity is an open subject.

WSB January 10, 2024 (5:31 pm)

They have a possible ID and have provided that information to police. I have not read social-media threads on this so I don’t know what’s been said elsewhere but I think they would need more substantive evidence, such as fully photographing/videorecording the guy in the act and matching the ID to the possible suspect, and it sounds like the awareness campaign is geared toward hopes of that, plus warning people about him, rather than just trying to ID him – TR

Jennie January 10, 2024 (5:02 pm)

If we get a license plate number would that help to catch him?

WS Res January 10, 2024 (6:53 pm)

Someone on Reddit says they were able to make it out and ran the plate. Don’t know if police can or have acted on that.
Ash January 10, 2024 (7:53 pm)

Hey Jennie, absolutely. We got a full plate from one witness and a partial from a victim. If someone is harassed by him or witnesses him in the act and are able to get the plate (without putting their safety at risk) it helps police to show it’s the same person involved and helps to better evidence this disturbing pattern.

Stop Street Harassment January 10, 2024 (5:14 pm)

Street harassment in Washington State is illegal in many different forms.

Rhonda January 10, 2024 (6:08 pm)

Correct. There should already be enough evidence for charges and an arrest warrant with this many victims. I’m surprised it’s gone on this long without an apprehension.

Mel January 10, 2024 (11:20 pm)

It is really puzzling to me when I read things like police indicating they have to catch someone in the act. I get that makes things *easier* but having women harassed pick him from a card of face photos and other such post-act IDs are absolutely evidence and prosecutable. I hope that “in the act” isn’t actually the bar to arrest.

heyalki January 11, 2024 (7:39 am)

Yeah why isn’t it enough that dozens of women, who probably don’t know each other, have reported this on separate occasions? I get that cases need evidence but this should be enough to prove it’s really happening. The law is so annoyingly ineffective.

anonyme January 11, 2024 (5:47 am)

Here are my concerns: even if caught, what will this guy be charged with? What, if any, punishment will there be? Will he be placed on the sex offender registry?

I Totally Don't Have Any Plans January 11, 2024 (10:02 am)

Gee, he has a recognizable truck and a known area, sure would be a shame if 3 of his 4 tires happened to go flat.

Scott January 11, 2024 (11:05 am)

This is the thread on reddit where reports are compiled:https://old.reddit.com/r/WestSeattleWA/comments/18x8ua7/west_seattle_predator_update_call_to_action/

Lisa January 11, 2024 (11:21 am)

Pepper. Spray.I look forward to carrying mine and using it on this guy if I ever encounter him.

T Rex January 11, 2024 (11:29 am)

Ladies, Just a thought, but I have purchased pepper gel instead of the spray, it is a firmer and steady stream that will not spray back at you or someone else if it is windy. I feel it is just a matter of time before this POS actually gets out of his truck and approaches someone, he will only get braver as he continues to get away with this. Stay safe and don’t be afraid to protect yourself.

Neighbor January 12, 2024 (8:48 am)

So sorry that people have had to deal with this disgusting harasser. I can only think that the police at this point should have an ID and warrant an arrest with dozens of victims coming forward.Will police do their job?

HH January 14, 2024 (8:30 am)

Are we sure that the rack has not been removed? It looks like that would be difficult, but would be a good idea if he wanted to continue to harass women.

Sorry, comment time is over.