WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Hit-run victim sought; pet attacked; stolen car found in unusual spot

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

HIT-RUN VICTIM SOUGHT: Sent late tonight by Jojo (who redacted the plate):

Hoping to find the young man hit by a car today near Westwood village at around 5:30 pm. We saw the car that hit him take off. We followed the car and got pictures and the license plate number. We came back around the block to check on the victim but he must’ve got on one of the busses there. We saw that he was limping and hope he’s ok. We did make a police report and hope the victim will call them and tell them what happened.

PET ATTACKED: Ilana says this happened “Monday morning at about 8:00 am on the corner of California Ave and Lander (across from the Admiral Safeway)”:

I was walking my dog and a guy waiting at the bus stop on California and Lander steped in front of me and kicked my dogI I had seen him and deliberately tried to move out of his way but he just moved in front of me. I seriously lost it on him (sorry to everyone around for all of the profanity) and called the police to file a report. A woman at the bus stop told me he randomly did the same to her dog a few days ago. When he got on the #50 bus, my husband picked me up and we followed the bus until it stopped and I jumped on the bus and got this picture of the guy.

The bus driver also called the police but to my knowledge he was not apprehended.

Police report # is 24-352555.

STOLEN CAR FOUND: This one caught our ear early Tuesday as a stolen car was found abandoned in the middle of an intersection atop a hill (39th/Thistle). Witnesses saw the apparent driver walking away northbound on 39th. Police determined the car, a 2007 Mazda 3, had been reported stolen from a Gatewood home less than a mile north, and that the alleged thief was related to the car’s owner. They got the car back but the suspect hadn’t been found/arrested by the time we obtained the report narrative.

Al King December 18, 2024 (6:41 am)

Did the driver of the “hit and run” actually know they hit someone? As for the Admiral incident there are several “troubled” people hanging around Admiral Safeway. Was in the store last week when their loudspeaker announced “xxx” is in the store. Obviously, a known shoplifter. Once a week I see employees confronting shoplifters there.

KittyStew December 18, 2024 (7:44 am)

Just for what its worth – this dude is a pretty regular rider on the 50/128 between the California & Admiral junction. I have had a few strange (but not violent) interactions with him. So sorry this happened to you and your poor pooch.

Bad dog owners December 18, 2024 (8:00 am)

I would like to know if there is more to the dog kicking story. I routinely have dogs lunge at me and my dog when we are out walking. The Hiawatha area is wrought with terrible dog owners who constantly let them run off leash with zero recall, let them run up on kids playing on the fields, or insist that other dog owners socialize their dogs with strange dogs. “It’s ok, he’s friendly.” I’m not the guy in the picture, but I have kicked plenty of misbehaving dogs that are a threat to adults or small children, and will continue to do so.

Gatewood December 18, 2024 (8:13 am)

Hey so this is unhinged
OneTimeCharley December 18, 2024 (8:17 am)

Let me see you do it and you will find out yourself how it feels to be kicked.
- Pete December 18, 2024 (8:44 am)
  
  Erm… if a dog is attacking me or my kid, I think I’m absolutely entitled to use whatever force I deem necessary. Grow up, seriously.
  - capitalwon December 18, 2024 (10:30 am)
    
    There may also be legal repercussions if you assault someone who was protecting themself or their child from your dog. I second the ‘grow up’, your misbehaving dog is your responsibility. That said, we have no idea if the dog in the WSB post was misbehaving or if this man kicked it unprovoked, so it’s probably best to reserve judgement and just keep being safe out there, and ensure our dogs are both well trained and well secured from people who may try to harm them.
- Bad dog owners December 18, 2024 (10:51 am)
  
  Looks like we found one of the bad dog owners who frequents Hiawatha. Instead of getting defensive, why don’t you be a responsible dog owner?
Alki resident December 18, 2024 (8:50 am)

Now read the part when another woman said he did the same thing.

Theboot December 18, 2024 (8:44 am)

Very glad you got a picture of that guy. I think all dog owners.(I am one as well) should not assume that other people are comfortable with their dog approaching them or being off leash. That said, however.: anybody kicks my dog they better run for their life! Grrr‼️

John December 18, 2024 (11:03 am)

Seriously??? If your dog has its jaw tightened on a child’s neck and force is required, you’d attack the parent? What is wrong with people?
- 2 Much Whine December 18, 2024 (1:54 pm)
  
  What? How did we go from I “deliberately tried to move out of his way but he just moved in front of me.” To “your dog has its jaw tightened on a child’s neck?” Now you’re just making things up.

Alki resident December 18, 2024 (8:52 am)

The pic of that guy was enough for me know know he’s all over our area..Haven’t seen him in awhile but he’ll be easy to spot. I’ll keep case number in case I see him. I hope your dog can comfortably feel safe going in future walks..

Deo December 18, 2024 (10:36 am)

I just saw this guy outside of admiral Safeway, rambling and making hand gestures at my kids
- Alki resident December 18, 2024 (12:12 pm)
  
  Okay, my friend works there. I’ll let her know.

Cristina December 18, 2024 (9:46 am)

Something has gone really wrong in West Seattle. My husband & I have been renting in Alaska Junction area for the last 8 years. We planned on settling here & buying a house but the last 4 years things have seriously & scarily been heading in the wrong direction. I’m sad to say that I’m not sure things can get better here until there is a major outcry from the public by voting for tough on crime policies & politicians. No, I’m not particularly Conservative….Just not blind to the fact that our policies have created this lawlessness. This used to be such a great neighborhood. Now, we are planning on leaving the state. I wish things would just get better :(

Neighbor December 18, 2024 (10:25 am)

But which policies are to blame? Do harsh punishments for crime actually prevent it? Is housing affordability a factor?
- Captain Obvious December 18, 2024 (11:30 am)
  
  Surprise, surprise: enforcing laws actually reduces crime. Who’da thunk? https://mynorthwest.com/4020065/rantz-democrat-federal-way-mayor-reveals-enforcing-the-law-actually-reduces-crime-shocker/
  - k December 18, 2024 (12:18 pm)
    
    This is not an article from an unbiased source. Biased writings refute nothing, and do nothing to move the conversation forward. Here is a quick fact sheet from the Department of Justice. Harsher penalties for crime do not prevent it. In some cases, longer sentences can lead to more crimes because it desensitizes the person to being incarcerated. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/247350.pdf#:~:text=4.%20Increasing%20the%20severity%20of%20punishment%20does%20little,know%20little%20about%20the%20sanctions%20for%20specific%20crimes
    - lucy December 18, 2024 (12:40 pm)
      
      Harsh penalties may or may not help to deter crime. But harsh penalties, including mandatory jail time at least keep criminals off the street for a little bit.
    - MsImpossible December 18, 2024 (1:30 pm)
      
      K – I read the article you linked and, in part, it states that “Police deter crime by increasing the perception that criminals will be caught and punished. The police deter crime when they do things that strengthen a criminal’s perception of the certainty of being caught.” Seattle is coming off of 4 years of restrictions by King County that prevented Seattle police from booking all but the most serious misdemeanors into jail. Perhaps this is a reason we have felt an increase in petty crime and property destruction. This isn’t about suddenly issuing long prison sentences. This is about the fact that for 4 years, our local society has been prevented from even creating the perception of being caught and punished. It also contributes to the feeling amongst non-criminal citizens that no one is there to protect them. And before people start suggesting that non-criminals are overly sensitive about property crime and that these people aren’t actually threatening, I ask you to consider that you do not know when property crime or theft will become an assault. Nor can you wave away the psychic toll on employees who have to deal with this day in and day out and experience the reality that no one is coming to help them. I am hopeful that since the pandemic-era restrictions have now expired, we will eventually see more deterrence via a very real threat of being caught and punished – even with a single night in jail or a mark on their record.
    - Captain Obvious December 18, 2024 (1:56 pm)
      
      You guys just hate it when real world examples prove your precious studies completely wrong, don’t you? Locking criminals up reduces crime. Proven. What do you have to offer as an alternate solution? Nothing.
    - Carolyn December 19, 2024 (10:44 am)
      
      That’s not at all accurate.
Thomas December 18, 2024 (10:58 am)

These things aren’t just happening in Seattle Cities across the country are having the same type of things going on.Prime example 15 year old girl kills two people and herself in Madison Wisconsin. For me ill stay and fight for the City and Neighborhood I love.
Pinto December 18, 2024 (1:38 pm)

Good luck! it is hard to find an American city that is safter than Seattle.
- Daniel December 19, 2024 (12:04 pm)
  
  Larger-than-Seattle US cities with lower homicide rates than Seattle include: New York City, San Diego, San Jose, Honolulu, Austin, etc.

Dayna December 18, 2024 (10:54 am)

He dog kicker is back at the bus stop right now

Admiral Rob December 18, 2024 (11:09 am)

At 11am today (12/18). Just saw the guy at Lander/CA bus stop. Distinctive guy. Eating a large tub of ice cream waiting for bus!

N December 18, 2024 (12:36 pm)

I do not have a dog, I take the bus a lot. And this gentleman has even made remarks and threatened me. I have seen him trip young kids and kick dogs. So he has some kind of mental problem. He is not going after dogs that are trying to attack him. Because I’ve seen him just walk up to a dog and kick it. I understand if a dog is aggressive towards a person, yet these dogs are not aggressive towards him. He is aggressive towards the dogs. So be careful around him with dogs and small children.

Marty December 18, 2024 (6:25 pm)

I live right by this intersection and often walk with my two small dogs and my preK age grandson. I’ve never encountered this man but will surely be on the outlook for him.

Marty December 18, 2024 (1:26 pm)

Here we go blaming the victim again. She said she moved out of his way but he stepped into her space and kicked her dog. If he kicks my dogs or I see him kick any dog, he will get a swift kick to the groin or worse.

Bbron December 18, 2024 (1:40 pm)

Typically West Seattle: when presented with a person who kicked a dog vs a person who struck a person with their car, y’all lock in on the dog kicker. Sure, they’re the real menace to the neighborhood…

ITotallyAgreeWithYou December 18, 2024 (2:32 pm)

BBROn- they are both problems and concerns for the community. There is no need to pit one problem against the other and choose.

justme December 18, 2024 (3:00 pm)

This guy may perform criminal behavior, but his first and foremost need is mental health support. Loss of mental health support didn’t just happen in the last 4 years as we all know. It’s too bad that some people feel the need to move to a “better” area because of “crime.”

Oh Seattle December 18, 2024 (11:51 pm)

Why is it “too bad”? I lived in West Seattle almost 20 years and I no longer felt comfortable living there and friends and family no longer wanted to visit. Some of my most memorable experiences were the guy who showed up in front of my house several nights with a huge sword and would fight imaginary opponents while smoking meth. Then there was a different guy who scaled my 5 foot fence and padlocked front gate and tried to break down my front door. So, I sold my house and moved away, and I’ve never been happier. It’s not a badge of honor to stay somewhere you no longer enjoy living just to prove you’ll stick it out no matter what.

C December 18, 2024 (3:56 pm)

Can the blog please confirm or deny this claim I was told by a reliable source before Covid. There are only 8 SPD officers on duty at any given time from Roxbury to Alki. If this is true… with the rising rates of crime in that time span… how can SPD possibly handle it. I’m not blaming SPD… they are showing up to work and have to prioritize what calls they take based on severity. Criminals clearly have become more bold knowing that the cops will not show up if they run out of a grocery store or any store with stolen merchandise. We keep reading about repeat offenders over & over & over again… it seems the blog gives SPD more repeat evidence than they potentially have most of the time. What if this blog didn’t exist… I learn more from this site about who & where to watch my back then I have ever received from any officer at any community event.

WSB December 18, 2024 (11:36 pm)

We’ve written about the number of officers per shift many times. Here’s one example, a citywide briefing mentioning that 10 was the standard SWP staffing per shift but one night they only had six.
https://westseattleblog.com/2024/07/i-want-my-money-back-city-council-committee-hears-about-jail-booking-crunch-and-other-significant-obstacles-in-public-safety-ecosystem-mayor-tries-to-fix-one/
- New Deal December 19, 2024 (7:53 am)
  
  I’ve heard that SFD regularly doesn’t have medics at Station 32 on weekends due to staffing shortages. They have voluntary not mandatory OT policies and the weekends and holidays are hard to fill. Seems like a breach of contract with our community.

flimflam December 19, 2024 (6:53 am)

This man will kick the wrong dog one day. What he is doing is ultimately dangerous for his safety.

ITotallyAgreeWithYou January 5, 2025 (5:49 pm)

Fwiw, I know this is weeks later but today I witnessed an attempted assault on a dog by this man at the bus stop on the west side of California at Lander. It was a senior dog, walking at a casual pace with his owner, and man came at the dog and tried to kick him. Owner pulled dog to protect him and yelled at the man who yelled that he would kick his dog. I pulled over and talked to the owner and urged him to make a report and let him know there were other incidents. I have also made a police report, using the above incident number.