WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Carjacking in Gatewood

ORIGINAL TUESDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police are investigating an armed carjacking reported a short time ago in the 8300 block of 41st SW. From initial exchanges between dispatch and officers, the car taken is described as a black Mazda M6; the suspects are described so far as three or four people associated with a dark-colored sedan, all Black and male, 5’10” to 6′, thin build, wearing ski masks and dark clothing, at least one with a gun. The stolen car was last seen northbound on 41st SW.

ADDED FRIDAY: The victim has told his story in comments below, and SPD has published its summary here.

41st Ave Res January 24, 2024 (7:37 am)

This was in front of my home. Correction to your report in that the vehicles turned east onto Rose St and did not continue North on 41st. It happened right at 11 PM. Police arrived on the scene at about 11:25. If the vehicle is the one I am thinking it is, then it is actually dark blue in color.

Mark January 24, 2024 (9:26 am)

Mazda made an MX-6 two door coupe from 1987-1997. My hope is the police find the suspects. There can’t be many of these cars out there.

Jim January 24, 2024 (6:17 pm)

The commenter is correct that the cars went east on Rose. I was the victim of this carjacking and was running south on 41st (they said to run away or they would shoot me), so I did not see if they went straight on 41st or turned. I thought it sounded like they went straight, but my back was turned and I didn’t look back. A neighbor’s camera showed they turned on Rose, which I only found out today. The car was a jet black Mazda 6.

Brooke January 24, 2024 (7:33 pm)

Jim, I’m so sorry this happened to you and glad you are safe. This sounds absolutely traumatizing. We live a few houses from where this happened. The neighbors and I have all been trying to piece together the details so we can better protect ourselves and each other. Any details you’re willing to share would be greatly appreciated. Eg: were you parked, at a stop sign, do you think you were targeted for your specific car? Please take good care, Jim. <3
- Jim January 25, 2024 (9:53 pm)
  
  If it helps anybody, here’s what happened in the carjacking. At about 11:00 pm, I arrived home and parked mid-block on the east side of 41st, facing north. I turned off my car and checked to see if any cars were coming in either direction, so I wouldn’t get my door hit when I opened it, I did not see anything, so I got out of my car, slung my laptop bag over my shoulder, and grabbed a three ring binder with material I was working on. After I got out and shut my door, a small dark hatchback car with no lights on screeched to a halt across the street from me, facing south on 41st. Three to four males exited the hatchback and rushed me. They pinned me against my car. They were wearing black ski masks but there was just enough light for me to see they were black and wearing dark clothes. One pressed a gun into my chest and one of the others began yanking on the laptop bag. The one with the gun said for me to give it up and asked if I wanted him to shoot me. I let go of the laptop bag. The one with the gun then patted down my pants pocket and told me to give him my keys. I did, and then they told me to run south on 41st or they would shoot me, I ran. As I approached 41st and Thistle, the hatchback passed me going south, made a screeching u-turn in the intersection and came northbound toward me. They yelled for me to keep running so I turned east on Thistle and kept going. I heard screeching tires behind me, but didn’t look back. I went around the block and called 911 as soon as I got home. The police came immediately, while I was still on the phone with the 911 operator. A detective told me the next day that he was almost certain I was not targeted or followed and that these were juveniles cruising the neighborhood looking for cars to steal and I just gave them an opportunity. The detective said juveniles steal the car, use it to commit another crime, and then they dump it. He said SPD has an 85% recovery rate for stolen vehicles. So I am optimistic. I hope this helps. My recommendation is that you be extra careful whenever you get out of your car at night and that you put Apple AirTags or another tracking device on your car somewhere and on anything valuable. You could then track it for the police on your phone,
  - WSB January 25, 2024 (10:21 pm)
    
    Thank you for sharing your story. (I have asked SPD for the report summary two days in a row and so far they still haven’t released it.) – TR
Henry January 25, 2024 (12:42 pm)

So sorry, Jim. What an awful time. I hope you are able to seek out any psychological or mental help you can to overcome this traumatic event.

TM January 24, 2024 (8:09 pm)

This is brutal, hope you are alright and so sorry you had to deal with this (likewise for the neighbor). A block from my house. Unbelievable this is our current reality.

Hmm January 24, 2024 (8:16 pm)

Hmm, last night around 11pm I was driving south on 35th and a dark burgundy Charger sped up from the right lane, speeding, and fully cut me off and slammed on the breaks. I went around them and they sped up and did it again, even more aggressively. I believe they were trying to cut me off and/or get me to stop completely. I remember that it had a Seattle University plate on it.

WTF January 24, 2024 (9:19 pm)

Never stop for anyone
Neighbor January 25, 2024 (12:40 pm)

Gosh, how scary. Around what cross streets did this occur?
- Hmm January 25, 2024 (7:17 pm)
  
  They turned left out of either SW Findlay or SW Juneau and on to 35th. After I went around them twice, I’m pretty sure they took a quick right down Raymond, going West.
Rhonda January 25, 2024 (11:36 pm)

Hmm, they may have been trying to cause a collision or confrontation to get you to stop and exit your vehicle. Good job on avoiding what could’ve been a set-up.

Sorry, comment time is over.