WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Knife-wielding boat prowler chased from Fauntleroy Cove

Received tonight from Garrett, this report of a boat prowler in Fauntleroy Cove:

A neighbor alerted me that someone was on my boat. When I paddled out, I found a man who appeared to be in his mid-40s, with a salt-and-pepper beard, skinny with a yellow and black PFD aboard my boat. He had a very nice black Highfield inflatable that was loaded with gear suspected of having been taken from other boats.

He was inside the cabin while I was paddling out and was standing on the transom when I arrived. We had a heated verbal confrontation, and he took off in the inflatable. As we followed alongside him in Puget Sound, he wielded a knife at us.

I contacted the police and the U.S. Coast Guard. Coast Guard officers located him and followed him toward Elliott Bay Marina. Before reaching the marina entrance, he reportedly beached the inflatable on the rocks and ran into the wooded area. I was also told that he brandished a knife at the federal officers.

As of this posting, he has not been apprehended. Please be alert, check your boats, and do not approach him. Call 911 immediately if you see him or have information about his whereabouts.

13 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Knife-wielding boat prowler chased from Fauntleroy Cove"

  • Rhonda September 9, 2026 (1:33 am)

    Good job confronting him and pursuing him/notifying the proper authorities. He’s an actual pirate and needs to be in a steel cage.

  • Mike September 9, 2026 (3:17 am)

    “I was also told that he brandished a knife at the federal officers” you mean he pulled a knife on uniformed service members?  20 years in prison and quarter of a million dollars in fines is that guys potentially penalties just for pulling the knife on them.

  • CarDriver September 9, 2026 (6:55 am)

    Betting the boat was stolen also. Assuming boat was retrieved and processed?  Any SPD or Coast Guard case/incident#??

  • Neal Chism September 9, 2026 (7:09 am)

    May have been the same guy who threaten me the night before over at Blake Island about 7:30 PM.

    • Neal Chism September 9, 2026 (9:28 am)

      My encounter with this guy on Monday night has been written up and was sent to the appropriate Rangers at State Parks. Neal

  • wetone September 9, 2026 (7:11 am)

    Doesn’t say much for Coast Guard and SPD not being able to apprehend this suspect. Hope all that were impacted get their equipment/belongings back. 

  • Heidi September 9, 2026 (7:44 am)

    Saw this man from shore right off of Colman pool heading north around 1:30pm.  I have a lot of boating history and thought it was interesting seeing him so loaded up with large black duffel bags that seem to bring the bow of the Tender down. 

  • GLH September 9, 2026 (8:51 am)

    Wow an actual factual real life pirate. 

  • Susan September 9, 2026 (12:00 pm)

    As a neighbor down the beach exclaimed, “That dude deserves a live 🦀 down his shorts!”

  • Garrett September 9, 2026 (1:03 pm)

    Yes, the boat was stolen and recovered. Case 2026-267791. I found his identity as well through the help of Facebook users. There are good photos of him. You can look at the thread on Puget Sound Fishing Group. Report if you see him!

    • Anon A. September 9, 2026 (8:31 pm)

      He has somewhat distinctive earlobes – https://imgur.com/a/88tfxm2

    • Yason September 9, 2026 (10:46 pm)

      Garett, I live behind you! I saw the whole thing. I’m so glad you’re okay. 

  • Bruce September 9, 2026 (3:30 pm)

    Nice work following and taking a photo of this scumbag!

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