WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another naked burglary, this time with arrest

One more crime report to publish before the night is out. We obtained the police-report narrative for one more commercial burglary, this one resulting in arrest.

It happened just after 4 am Tuesday morning. The report redacts the business name but refers to a “restaurant” in the 4200 block of SW Morgan, and Ezell’s is the only business matching that description. Police were called after witnesses heard glass break and saw a naked man enter the restaurant, followed by a “cloud of yellow smoke inside.”

Officers found a shattered front window, a “very large rock” on the ground next to the window, and blood droplets all around, including some inside the restaurant. They learned that a delivery driver reported seeing a man use the rock to break the window, climb through it and grab a fire extinguisher, then spraying it around the seating area, staying inside for about five minutes before leaving, walking westbound on Fauntleroy Way, with the fire extinguisher still in hand. Around 5 am, police got a call about a man matching the burglar’s description – including the lack of clothing – sitting at an apartment complex not too far away, appearing to be in crisis, clutching a “fist-sized” rock. Officers tried to get him to put down the rock; he didn’t, and would not respond to their verbal commands, the report narrative says. Eventually he got up, pulled the building fire alarm, began approaching the officers, and one of them fired a 40mm projectile at him, knocking him down. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital; he was identified through a debit card found near him as a 27-year-old Delridge resident. He remains in jail this morning in lieu of $10,500 bail; the jail docket says he spent three days there earlier this month related to accusations of resisting arrest and unlawful transit conduct.

22 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another naked burglary, this time with arrest"

  • melissa July 17, 2025 (9:37 am)

    I read a tragic account like this and wish, for the millionth time, that we had a functioning healthcare system.

    • Urban tribeswoman July 17, 2025 (9:48 am)

      In the meantime, though, he’s effed up the restaurant, created chaos in a neighborhood of working folks, and threatened the police.  So there’s that.

    • Rob July 17, 2025 (12:14 pm)

      It’s called Jail and we need bigger ones, tougher laws, and actual judges. 

      • G July 17, 2025 (1:57 pm)

        It’s actually called “involuntary commitment,” and all civilized countries have it. 

      • melissa July 17, 2025 (2:11 pm)

        Because jails are effective treatment centers for mental illness? 

      • Lauren July 17, 2025 (2:19 pm)

        “Jail” is your answer to healthcare?? What is wrong with people  

        • Melissa July 17, 2025 (2:56 pm)

          That was my point, Lauren. Jail is exactly the wrong place for a person in crisis like this man.

  • Much Compassion July 17, 2025 (10:26 am)

    I read a tragic account like this and wish, for the millionth time, that we had a functioning city council.

    • No Compassion? July 17, 2025 (12:39 pm)

      What do you expect the “functioning” city council to do?

  • Mnw July 17, 2025 (10:36 am)

    The Neighborhood restaurant was closed yesterday (Wednesday). Wondering if something happened to them too. 

    • WSB July 17, 2025 (12:54 pm)

      No, I asked. Just air-conditioning trouble. Fixed now.

  • KT July 17, 2025 (11:35 am)

    I read an infuriating account like this and wish, for the millionth time, that we had a functioning criminal justice system.  

  • Ex-Westwood Resident July 17, 2025 (12:06 pm)

    I read a tragic account like this and wish, for the millionth time, that we had involuntary commitment back as an option for the mentally ill.

    • G July 17, 2025 (1:58 pm)

      Yes, this. 

    • Lauren July 17, 2025 (3:26 pm)

      Involuntary commitment is still very much a thing in Washington state. In fact, there’s a facility in west Seattle. Do your research. 

      • Marina July 17, 2025 (10:07 pm)

        Lauren, as someone who has tried very hard to involuntarily commit a close friend suffering a psychotic break in not just West Seattle or Seattle, but also anywhere in Washington, I can tell you it’s almost impossible. Unless she was actively at that very second trying to kill herself or others, no center was going to take her, including the facility in West Seattle. 

        • Lauren July 19, 2025 (10:07 am)

          Marina, I’m very sorry about your friend. You’re right that there is a VERY high bar for involuntary commitment. But to state that it is not available in our state (as others did) is incorrect. In a world of so much disinformation, I think it’s important we get facts straight. 

    • 1994 July 17, 2025 (5:50 pm)

      Yes, agree. Civil Liberties are great but for some people they need more care and monitoring of their liberties to help keep them and us safe.

  • Kathy July 17, 2025 (3:08 pm)

    I hope he gets the help he needs. Mental illness is no picnic and neither are the antipsychotic drugs we have available because they have serious side effects which can discourage mentally ill people from staying on the meds. If he has family members in the area my heart goes out to them and I realize you can’t force a loved one to get treatment once they are no longer a minor. Sympathy also for the business owner that suffered the damage and I hope their insurance makes them whole.

  • Dysfunction July 17, 2025 (4:09 pm)

    Falling back on insurance to make the business whole has become a terrible option. This guy I’m sure has no means, but at some point these people need to be made financially accountable for their actions. Insurance should be for damage to the business thru accidents, like pipes flooding or other things. Business insurance rates have risen dramatically in Seattle due to crime, to the point some providers were talking about getting out. “Crisis” can mean acting crazy due to drugs. People are losing sympathy for that 

  • Anonymous Apartment Resident July 17, 2025 (6:05 pm)

    It’s interesting that the report doesn’t mention the seven (7) police cars involved in arresting one (1) person who needed compassion and help, not a bullet shot at them. Or the fact that the apartment residents had to clean up the blood left behind from the interaction of excessive force by the police in reaction to a “fist sized rock”
    Sincerely,
    Resident of the apartment building who was woken up by the sound of a gunshot

  • flimflam July 17, 2025 (6:16 pm)

    Not trying to be flippant here but I certainly hope this is the same naked guy from the other day and that there aren’t multiples out there.

Sorry, comment time is over.