WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man robbed, stripped

1:49 AM WEDNESDAY: “Found naked robbery and kidnap victim on our porch,” the text began. It was about an incident we’d heard a bit about on the scanner – police were looking for robbers in a blue/white Astro Van somewhere around 28th/Roxbury. Radio exchanges indicated the victim was robbed of everything, including his clothes, by someone he’d met up with regarding selling coins, The robber implied a gun. The texter said the victim told them “he was robbed by multiple attackers at (Roxbury) Safeway, assaulted, then dumped in our street,” half a mile away. They said medics took the victim away for treatment. We’ll see what else we can find out from police later this morning.

ADDED 10:47 AM THURSDAY: Here’s the police-report summary:

At 0028 hours, a victim stated that he was selling rare coins in the area of 27 Ave SW/SW Cambridge St. The victim stated that van pulled up and he got inside the van to attempt to sell the coins. The victim stated that the van was occupied by two males, and one put a hard object to the back of his head. The victim stated that a gun was implied but not seen. The suspects struck the victim in the head with a hard object and stole his coins, clothes, other personal items. The suspects drove the victim to the 10000 BLK of 31 Ave SW and pushed him out of the van. The victim knocked on a community member’s door and 911 was called. Officers conducted an area search for the suspects and cameras. Officers didn’t locate the suspects.

David October 15, 2025 (5:34 am)

“Roxbury Safeway” is all we need to know. I can’t believe the lack of police presence in that area.

WSB October 15, 2025 (12:31 pm)

Roxbury Safeway is in King County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction and their staffing issues are greater than SPD’s. We covered the sheriff’s appearance at a White Center meeting two weeks ago.

HS October 15, 2025 (8:25 am)

Mr. Neighbor, I am so incredibly sorry that you experienced this beyond horrendous crime.

My two cents October 15, 2025 (8:51 am)

The Netflix series ‘Dead Rabbits’ has a scene just like this.

My two cents October 15, 2025 (8:53 am)

‘Black Rabbit’ – correction

Bill#1 October 15, 2025 (2:18 pm)

Still no details – ???

Frog October 15, 2025 (4:23 pm)

Details might be slow to come, considering that the victim might be suffering from amnesia regarding his name, where he lives, where he got the coins, or why he was selling them in a Safeway parking lot.

WSB October 16, 2025 (10:51 am)

Police report summary was made available this morning – added above. The address where the victim and robbers met is listed as the other side of Roxbury from the store, not at the store.

K October 16, 2025 (6:15 pm)

Now that I’ve read the report, I have even more questions.

Frog October 16, 2025 (3:28 pm)

You learn a lot from WSB. Today’s lesson: if you are selling rare coins from a street corner, don’t climb into an Astro van. In fact, probably don’t climb into an Astro van belonging to strangers for any reason. I am guessing nothing good has happened in the back of an Astro van since at least the year 2000.

Dog Whisperer October 16, 2025 (3:43 pm)

Selling rare coins at two in the morning to strangers in the safeway parking lot? NOW I’VE HEARD IT ALL.

WSB October 16, 2025 (3:44 pm)

As noted above, it was NOT the Safeway parking lot, per the eventual police report, but nearby.

Bill#1 October 16, 2025 (9:41 pm)

Bottom line — 27th and Cambridge – 0028 in the AM — selling “rare???? whatever??? — ’nuff said!

Mr Neighbor October 17, 2025 (7:45 pm)

The victim ended up on my porch after he was trying to get help from our neighbor next door. I went outside to put my shoes on the porch and I heard a man next door begging for help. I thought it was my neighbor. I heard him say he was robbed so I ran over to him. Then I realized it was a naked stranger. I asked him what happened and he said he was robbed and kidnapped by multiple men in a van by Safeway. He appeared to be well into moderate hypothermia and seemed like he had been naked and outside for a long time. He had two outdoor furniture cushions that he was using to cover his front and backside and I don’t know where he got those. I told him I would get help and I ran inside, deadbolted out front door, and callled 911. He then came over to our porch and was begging to get inside. King County Sheriff units arrived first and then LOTS of SPD and a fire truck plus paramedics. They administered first aid for hypothermia and a cut on his head. I gave him a new pair of socks and they put a white hazmat suit on him plus a blanket. There was no noise or disturbance out in the street before I found him so I think he walked a long way from where he was dumped. It was 40 degrees and I don’t think he could’ve lasted another hour without clothes on so I’m glad he got help quickly.

J October 18, 2025 (8:53 pm)

This story would be pathetic if it weren’t so sad. So many desperate people doing crazy things while billionaires do everything they can to make more money. Simply to make more money. I’m not a bible person but isn’t there a verse about a camel going through the eye of a needle before a rich man gets into heaven?