WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police pursuit followed string of robberies including two in West Seattle

2:03 PM: After reports of a police pursuit northbound on 16th SW and onto the eastbound West Seattle Bridge in the 7:30-8 am vicinity this morning, we asked SPD for more information. They’ve just provided it via SPD Blotter, detailing a series of robberies including two in West Seattle:

Seattle Police are searching for suspects in a string of robberies targeting businesses in South and Southwest Seattle.

Early this morning, a group of people dressed in face masks and dark clothing entered convenience stores and gas stations in and around Georgetown, Rainier Valley, High Point, and West Seattle neighborhoods armed with firearms. In each robbery the suspect/suspects displayed weapons at store employees. In some incidents they demanded cash.

The suspects fled with stolen merchandise and cash. No one was injured.

A blue Kia sedan, believed to be related to the robberies, was recovered from 16th Avenue South and East Marginal Way South. A witness reported seeing the vehicle driving erratically before hitting a curb. Officers found the vehicle disabled and unoccupied. The car was an unreported stolen vehicle and will be processed for evidence.

Seattle Police Robbery Unit Detectives arrived at the scene and are leading the investigation. No suspects are in custody currently.

If anyone has information, please contact Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

The robberies occurred in the following locations:

Incident Number 2024-323332. At 5:25 a.m., in the 7200 block of East Marginal Way South.

Incident Number 2024-323336. At 5:37 a.m., in the 2800 block of Rainier Avenue South.

Incident Number 2024-323367. At 6:40 a.m., in the 7500 block of 35th Avenue Southwest.

Incident Number 2024-323372. At 6:50 a.m., in the 4500 block of Fauntleroy Way Southwest.
We’re still trying to find out exactly how the vehicle that was being pursued onto the bridge factored into this, as archived radio indicates that at one point, officers were looking for two vehicles described as a “silver sedan” and “dark KIA.”

3:33 PM: Listening back to the archived audio, once the police summary provided us with the incident times, two notes: First, the robbery locations in West Seattle were Space Age and Fauntleroy Shell; two, what’s believed to be the same robbery “crew” also showed up at the Junction 7-11, but the doors were locked, so they left.

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17 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police pursuit followed string of robberies including two in West Seattle"

J November 15, 2024 (2:30 pm)

Thanks for posting this! We wondered what was going on. Just before we pulled out onto SW 16th from SW Othello, a silver (I think) car zoomed past on 16th going very fast. Then 2 police cars went past, also going very fast. Then, right after we pulled out into 16th, 2 additional police cars went by, going even faster. We were pulled over to the side and our car swayed as the police cars went by. The scariest thing is that all 5 cars went through a school zone on 16th where kids were actively crossing…one child crossed in the short time between the two sets of police cars. These cars were going so fast that they would never have been able to stop for a person in the crosswalk. Thank goodness nothing happened but it does make me wonder…is catching a robber really worth endangering children with such reckless driving?

Alki resident November 15, 2024 (3:56 pm)

Considering police have had plenty of training to go around obstacles and these robbery suspects have been going at it for months, It’s time they are being pursued and caught before these robberies turn deadly.
- RickB November 15, 2024 (7:28 pm)
  
  “Police have had plenty of training to go around obstacles” LOL. Tell that to Jaahnavi Kandula.
  - Alki resident November 15, 2024 (7:37 pm)
    
    Great, you named one situation out of hundreds of times police blow past people while in pursuit. Kudos. Did you know that the police officer in that situation didn’t have his siren on?
    - Genius November 15, 2024 (9:56 pm)
      
      You actually make the point that police are putting people in danger. Kevin Dave didn’t have his siren on and wasn’t looking at the road. So let’s not encourage more situations where this can happen.
    - momosmom November 16, 2024 (7:43 am)
      
      Well …. they’re damned if they do and they’re damned if they don’t.🤷🏻‍♀️
  - K November 15, 2024 (8:21 pm)
    
    Exactly my thoughts.
D November 16, 2024 (7:11 am)

I think as we consider the danger of speeding police cars and children crossing the street we should factor in the risk of robbers with firearms, not just implied firearms. Those robbers aren’t trained in safe firearms use, they are highly likely to start shooting at virtually any moment. Most officers but not all are good drivers in pursuits but for safety’s sake I took several classes in firearms safety and multiple 1:1 lessons following that because target practice is just the beginning and responsible gun use means instruction and practice in high stress situations. I’m betting none of these robbers have that training. It would be absolutely awful if a child was hit in a pursuit, it would also be absolutely awful if a store employee or customer was killed in another robbery. Each are equally possible.

Lauren November 15, 2024 (3:09 pm)

Is the 4500 block of Fauntleroy the Shell in the Triangle?

WSB November 15, 2024 (3:16 pm)

Yes. And the other one was Space Age. I just listened to the archived audio.
- ACG November 15, 2024 (3:22 pm)
  
  Saw police this morning at Space age, just after 6:45, then a cop car took off down 35th with lights on heading towards Fauntleroy. Hope everyone is ok. I do stop into Space Age and the employee there has always been super nice. I’m so sorry for them and the employees at the Shell Station.

onion November 15, 2024 (4:26 pm)

Busy lads. Their increasing brazenness means its only a matter of time until they are caught. Shame to lose your freedom or your life for petty cash, but they will pay.