WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police pursue suspects after carjacking

| Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news

8:29 PM: Police have been pursuing suspects through south West Seattle, White Center, and Burien after a carjacking. While the stolen vehicle is reported to be a white Audi, officers have been pursuing another vehicle believed to be related, a dark gray Hyundai Tucson reported stolen from Federal Way. We don’t yet know exactly where the carjacking happened. The Guardian One helicopter has been assisting; the suspects reportedly have just abandoned the Hyundai in north Burien, with a ground search ensuing too.

(WSB photo added: Police on 35th while investigating nearby carjacking)

8:38 PM: We found police who could confirm to us where the carjacking happened: Alley behind residences in the 9200 block of 35th SW. (The car stolen there was described as a white Audi SQ5; we believe that was traced to south White Center.) Meantime, the ground/air search in north Burien continues.

8:43 PM: Officers have just reported taking one person into custody. They’re searching for the other, in the Salmon Creek Ravine area. Both carjackers were reported to be armed at the time of the original incident.

10:30 PM: The search ended during a gap in our live monitoring due to (a) a change in radio channels and (b) us having to step away from the desk for a short time. So far in trying to catch up with radio recordings, we’ve heard officers report that a stolen gun was recovered, as was a backpack, as were two ski masks, and that the carjacked white Audi (found because of tracking) has already been impounded. What we’re not finding yet: The status of the second suspect.

10:59 PM: Listening to county emergency-radio archives, it sounds like the second suspect was bitten by a police dog and taken for treatment. We will of course follow up on all this with police and prosecutors Monday, but will update sooner if any additional information emerges over the weekend.

Taco Bell Lover April 12, 2024 (8:34 pm)

Was on my way to taco bell and started hearing some sirens and was passed by a police car. While in the drive thru a bunch more cop cars went by. They kept changing direction. Wild. Swear there were like 12 different cop cars

Roxbury Local April 12, 2024 (8:38 pm)

I’ve seen at least 10 police fly thru 16th and Roxbury. One looked like they were chasing a car at the same rate of speed. Helicopter is definitely out. Terrifying. And if this is a weapon involved carjacking…I hope everyone is ok.

WSB April 12, 2024 (8:44 pm)

Yes, that was the pursuit. They went from White Center onto 509 south into Burien, then back north, at one point to 8th and Roxbury, then back into White Center, and ending in north Burien, where they’ve just taken one suspect into custody.
Local April 12, 2024 (8:49 pm)

Neighbor to the jacking. Was at gun point.at least they were dumb enough to steal a car with tracking. And I’m just happy my neighbors are safe.
- KK April 13, 2024 (8:46 am)
  
  I live on the alley, too. Hope everyone is OK. How scary!

North Burien res April 12, 2024 (8:54 pm)

Police flew down 21st Ave SW, south of SW 116th. Helicopters still very active at 8:55.

WSMom April 12, 2024 (9:17 pm)

Helicopter is still searching in north Burien, circling around 122nd and Ambaum.

Nosey North Burien Resident April 12, 2024 (9:25 pm)

Any updates on the second car jacker?

WSB April 12, 2024 (9:32 pm)

Not in custody yet at last report. Guardian One is still circling.
- Burien April 12, 2024 (9:49 pm)
  
  Chopper finally just left. Hope they caught them. Out doors are locked.
- JB April 12, 2024 (10:03 pm)
  
  Don’t hear the helicopter anymore. Hoping it’s a good sign.
  - WSB April 12, 2024 (10:10 pm)
    
    First they changed the radio channel for the operation and then I had to step away from the desk for a few minutes. Helicopter left during that time. Waiting for the radio recording from the past half hour to become available in hopes it will clarify.

WSMom April 12, 2024 (9:29 pm)

Helicopter is still searching near 122nd and Ambaum.

Alki resident April 12, 2024 (9:31 pm)

Cops currently in my family members yard. One in custody. We need these people caught. It’s out of hand.

rebecca April 12, 2024 (9:42 pm)

why are they doing so much for just a stolen car

WSB April 12, 2024 (9:58 pm)

An armed carjacking is an armed robbery.
you have a bad take April 12, 2024 (11:26 pm)

If your life was threatened over a piece of property, would you not want the offenders to face justice? What planet do you live on?

Sick of crime April 12, 2024 (9:49 pm)

I’m in North Burien too, near Evergreen HS and have been hearing the copter overhead. at least 10 police cars flew down 116th a little while ago, still was hearing sirens as of about 10 minutes ago. Any idea if they have dogs on this?

WSB April 12, 2024 (9:58 pm)

Yes, they called out K-9 units.

Bruce April 12, 2024 (9:51 pm)

I was at my storage unit at the time. There was about 20-30 cops there

Jane April 12, 2024 (10:02 pm)

All quiet now.

HT April 12, 2024 (10:33 pm)

I hope all are safe. Also, enough of this! Consider carrying non-lethal weapons for self-defense, I will not be a victim. A friend shared this with me today https://byrna.com/products/le-kit

Carry or don’t but use your head April 13, 2024 (2:09 am)

Protect yourself however you feel like but fyi this is not a smart choice for anyone who is considering it. Worst case scenario you use it in an emergency and someone (maliciously) complains you have a firearm and the cops follow through as if it is.
- Dog Whisperer April 14, 2024 (8:53 am)
  
  Worst case scenario? You need it and don’t have it.
GoforGel April 13, 2024 (8:15 am)

I definitely support you wanting to feel more secure in your person, but I would recommend against pepper spray guns like Pepperball for this specific use. They are really designed to work well in more confined areas where you have cover (like home defense) or for crowd control (what the officers were shooting at protesters in 2020). If you don’t want to carry a real gun, which is completely understandable, I would suggest a pepper gel spray. They are much easier to use accurately, stick to eyes/noses/mouths/skin well, and don’t spread a cloud like traditional pepper sprays which can be debilitating for you, the victim. I’d also suggest getting a couple of them and just practice using them anywhere that they won’t affect other people, pets, or wildlife.

In summary: avoid pepper guns, look for pepper GEL sprays, and get extras to practice using them. Be safe out there, and remember sometimes the right solution is to give up your valuables and run. Your life is worth more than your wallet and phone.
Marcus April 13, 2024 (8:25 am)

Good way to get shot by a real gun. Most of these criminals are packing real guns. Pull that out and you will most likely get a taste of a real bullet. Also even though it has an orange tip, I would not fault a policeman if he/they/she would consider you armed and dangerous. Keep your guns at home and be aware of your surroundings, much safer. Go SPD get these guys no matter how many resources are necessary.
- Carjacked April 13, 2024 (10:55 am)
  
  It’s especially different when someone holds you at gunpoint and having your loved one pointed by not one but two “switched” hand guns. All your “non-lethal” weapons are a joke at this point. Fun way for two RNs to come home after a 12-13hr shift. Thankful for my neighbors throughout this and the police’s support. Stay safe
JoelSW April 13, 2024 (11:52 am)

I personally would either carry a real gun or use pepper spray that does not look like a gun. If you carry a real gun commit to training, proper concealed carry permit and full understanding of the consequences should it be needed. The choice and manner in which you defend yourself remains yours since we live in a free country. Don’t let Marcus or others scare you into thinking the SPD will always be there.
- Daniel April 13, 2024 (1:59 pm)
  
  Agree strongly, plus normal pepper spray works better than that byrna product specifically. Byrna is hot junk that doesn’t work well – it jams a lot, fails to break open and disperse gas with alarming irregularity, and even when it does break the volume of pepper gas is insufficient to really do anything other than act as an extremely mild deterrent. POM, Sabre Red, and countless other pepper spray products work much better than that gimmick.
- Carjacked April 13, 2024 (4:49 pm)
  
  Joel you’re funny! The stuff you see is on the movies. You don’t think we thought once in our lives about the chances on being held at gunpoint? Oh yes pepper spray is the answer. “Real gun with training”. SPD was involved and highly resourceful because of our cars ability to be tracked. Happily to comply and work with police with our resources available. But not everyone has the same resources.
Jay April 13, 2024 (11:18 pm)

If they have the drop on you there’s nothing you can do. Just do what they say. In general, pepper spray is better than a gun. A pepper ball gun is useless not only because they don’t work but also people will assume it’s a real gun and shoot you.

Rara April 13, 2024 (1:20 am)

Super proud of our guys in blue. Brilliant!

35th Resident April 13, 2024 (1:24 am)

@WSB Are you sure that photo is in response to that incident? We saw police/transit authority/fire department all respond to a pulled over 21 line bus around the same time at the bus stop.

Any info if that was related or just a separate incident?

WSB April 13, 2024 (1:32 am)

That’s where my partner found the sergeant who confirmed to us that the carjacking had happened in that area (location was not mentioned in the original dispatch). Saw the bus, which left, empty, shortly after we arrived on scene. There’s no separate SPD incident logged.

Whisky Woods April 13, 2024 (3:31 am)

Sweet, way to go SPD! Now, let’s hope the Judge to put them in the gray bar motel for a extended stay.

Grilled Cheese April 13, 2024 (7:03 am)

I wonder if that new law passed that allowed cops to chase the bad guys. I know that there were restrictions before.

WSB April 13, 2024 (12:24 pm)

Pursuits have been allowed under certain circumstances all along. The new law hasn’t taken effect yet (early June).

Catrina60 April 13, 2024 (7:07 am)

Giving the police high respect, and the K9 deserves treats!!! Well done!! So glad all in the carjacked family are safe.

Alki resident April 13, 2024 (7:38 am)

Incredible police work last nite. Thank you for keeping my relatives safe and their neighborhood. Everyone was on pins and needles and we’re blessed to have had two dangerous suspects arrested within a reasonable time. I hope good things for the victim in all of this. I hope they get support and justice.

Actually Mike April 13, 2024 (7:46 am)

“…sounds like the second suspect was bitten by a police dog…” Good doggie! Give that pup a treat!

MyThruppence April 13, 2024 (8:05 am)

Shame about that dog bite that occurred during their attempts to evade apprehension. A little bit of ointment will probably make it better. I’m sure it will be good as new in about two months.