Crime 6550 results

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Court appearances for carjacking, burglary suspects

Followups on two incidents on which we reported in the past three days:

CARJACKING ARRESTS: On Friday night, we reported on the arrest of two suspects in Burien after a pursuit and search that began after a carjacking in an alley near 35th/Roxbury. This afternoon the two suspects appeared in juvenile court; the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that both should remain in detention, and the judge agreed. We have no further information about the suspects or the case yet; unlike adults’ first court appearances, police-report narratives are not made available after juveniles’ initial hearings, and while we requested information directly from SPD first thing this morning, we have not yet received it. Prosecutors’ deadline for filing charges in this case is Wednesday.

BURGLARY ARREST: On Saturday, we reported on the arrest of a man suspected of breaking into a house on Sylvan Way. He also appeared in court this afternoon, and after finding probable cause to hold him, a judge set bail at $50,000. According to the probable-cause document, the suspect is 53 years old. The document tells a slightly different story of what happened than what a neighbor initially reported: The resident told police he had left home and locked up at 7;45 pm Friday; he returned at 10:45 am Saturday and found an intruder in his home. He asked the intruder to leave and then noticed some items were missing; he called police, and they found the suspect right outside the house when they arrived. An initial check of records includes he has prior burglary arrests.

UPDATE: Police block parts of 35th, Roxbury after gunfire report

(Image from SDOT traffic camera at 35th/Roxbury)

9:58 PM: Police are blocking 35th between Roxbury and Barton, and Roxbury east of 35th, after a report of gunfire in the area, possibly coming from a person in an apartment building. No injuries reported.

10:41 PM: The roads are still blocked. Meantime, officers have reported detaining someone who might have involved.

11:10 PM: Officers told dispatch they were “wrapping up,” after checking the apartment from which the suspected gunfire came, and traffic cameras show the streets open again. We don’t know what if any evidence they found, nor whether the detained person was arrested, but we’ll be following up.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglary arrest

If you saw that police response toward the east end of Sylvan Way this morning, it was for a home-burglary investigation. The neighbor who sent the photo reports someone broke into the house after 10:30 am, apparently via an unlocked door, while the resident was asleep. The suspect was taken into custody, according to the neighbor, who reports, “Our neighbor is fine, just very shaken up.” The SPD incident # is 24-099963. We’ll be following up.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Alki Mail and Dispatch burglary

That photo is from early this morning, after police responded to a burglary at Alki Mail and Dispatch (4701 SW Admiral Way). Proprietor Bree sent the report, photo, and videos, and a request for customers who might have been affected:

I’m very sad to report that we were the victims of a break-in at 5:12 am this morning. There had been 2 previous failed attempts to make entry in the last few months (the 2nd time only being about 2 weeks ago) but apparently 3rd time was the charm.

From our early assessment … they grabbed 6 packages that were logged in for our personal mailbox holders, and from what we can tell, about 15-20 outbound prepaid parcels that had been dropped off by customers to go out, mostly UPS and a few FedEx. This is where our trouble lays, as we unfortunately don’t have a way of knowing who’s prepaid drop offs were taken. I feel so horrible that these awful people stole not only from me but from my customers! They also grabbed a bunch of my Alki T-shirts and hoodies, a few other knickknacks and, strangely, all of the Snapples from my beverage cooler!

I believe it may have been 3-4 people … They were men that all appear to be dressed in construction gear. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see any of their faces, although one did appear to have long dark hair. From what Officer Carey (the responding policeman) said, it appears they used a pry tool of some sort to gain entry. Thankfully there’s no damage.

My biggest concern is trying to locate customers who dropped off their prepaid outgoing parcels. If anyone dropped off a package after 4 pm on 4/12/24, please contact us either at our email staff@alkimail.com or call us at 206-932-2556 or to stop in and speak with us.

Bree says one box has already been found, empty. (added) Police report # is 24-099757.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police pursue suspects after carjacking

8:29 PM: Police have been pursuing suspects through south West Seattle, White Center, and Burien after a carjacking. While the stolen vehicle is reported to be a white Audi, officers have been pursuing another vehicle believed to be related, a dark gray Hyundai Tucson reported stolen from Federal Way. We don’t yet know exactly where the carjacking happened. The Guardian One helicopter has been assisting; the suspects reportedly have just abandoned the Hyundai in north Burien, with a ground search ensuing too.

(WSB photo added: Police on 35th while investigating nearby carjacking)

8:38 PM: We found police who could confirm to us where the carjacking happened: Alley behind residences in the 9200 block of 35th SW. (The car stolen there was described as a white Audi SQ5; we believe that was traced to south White Center.) Meantime, the ground/air search in north Burien continues.

8:43 PM: Officers have just reported taking one person into custody. They’re searching for the other, in the Salmon Creek Ravine area. Both carjackers were reported to be armed at the time of the original incident.

10:30 PM: The search ended during a gap in our live monitoring due to (a) a change in radio channels and (b) us having to step away from the desk for a short time. So far in trying to catch up with radio recordings, we’ve heard officers report that a stolen gun was recovered, as was a backpack, as were two ski masks, and that the carjacked white Audi (found because of tracking) has already been impounded. What we’re not finding yet: The status of the second suspect.

10:59 PM: Listening to county emergency-radio archives, it sounds like the second suspect was bitten by a police dog and taken for treatment. We will of course follow up on all this with police and prosecutors Monday, but will update sooner if any additional information emerges over the weekend.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Anyone missing an ATM?

The photos and report are from Bianca:

My husband came across a dumped, damaged, and empty ATM on Seola Beach Drive a bit ago. I filed an online police report. There aren’t any marks indicating where it came from, but it appears to be one of the smaller machines you would find in a convenience store.

A sticker on it says it’s part of the MetaBank network.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: What Fauntleroy Schoolhouse burglar stole from preschool

We have more information tonight about what the burglar who hit Fauntleroy Schoolhouse earlier this week did across the street on the Fauntleroy Church campus. According to a church representative, he didn’t break into that building, but “took items from the exterior of Hazelwood Preschool which were of low value and very strange.” The preschool is on the lower level of the church building, off the parking lot. The church representative says the items stolen from the preschool included these:

Outdoor mat
Acorn birdhouse
Rainbow whale windsock
Rainbow fish windsock
Wind Chimes and Windcatcher
Sign
Garden gnome

He also took daffodils from the planting done by the students.

A security camera shows him leaving via Junction-bound RapidRide C Line – which stops in front of the schoolhouse (9100 block California SW) – after bringing the stolen items (including larger ones from the schoolhouse businesses) onto the bus via a stolen hand truvk. If you have any information about the burglary/theft, the SPD incident # is 24-095013.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Pinball machine stolen

Just out of the inbox, from the Corner Pocket in The Junction: “A vendor of ours at the Corner Pocket just had ‘Iron Maiden’ pinball machine stolen off the back of his truck. They stole the machine and a dolly that he had in his truck.” This happened in the lot off the north side of 44th/Alaska between 1:30-2 pm. We’ll add the SPD incident # when we get it.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Schoolhouse burglary, two hit-runs, car break-in

Four incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE BURGLARY: We first heard about this when it was mentioned at last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, so we followed up with schoolhouse management today (the schoolhouse is a city landmark, nonprofit-operated home to multiple organizations and businesses):

This is the culprit who broke into the schoolhouse Sunday evening.

He first broke into Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes area about 10:45 pm. After he took their computer, sound system, and other oddities, he went across the street to Fauntleroy Church to do some damage over there before coming back to the schoolhouse into our hallways. He was able to break into one of our tenants’ rooms, stole their laptop, Bose system and some very personal items that were given to them by family members that are irreplaceable. One of our tenants’ clients recognized this guy from Morgan Junction area. Apparently, this client has seen him personally provoke & bother people within that neighborhood.

If you have any information, the police incident # is 24-095013.

FOUR VEHICLES DAMAGED IN AVALON HIT-RUN: Thanks for the tips this morning after people saw the damaged cars from this overnight incident.

(WSB photo)

As one tipster this morning, Michael, described it, “Someone SMASHED a parked car so bad the three cars ahead where pushed together.” SPD hasn’t been able to find the report on it but archived audio from the initial response around 1:15 am indicates the hit-run vehicle was a black GMC Yukon registered to someone in North Seattle; a man was seen walking away. Four other vehicles were reported damaged. Here’s another aftermath shot from this morning, sent by Jill, of vehicles still at the scene:

No injuries were reported, as there was no SFD response.

HIT-RUN ON VIDEO: Angela is hoping to find the driver who did this to her car before abandoning the car they were driving:

(Monday) night around 11 pm my vehicle was hit on the 4500 block of 47th Ave SW by a 2013 Ford Flex. My daughter woke me up when she got home around 1am to let me know there was a vehicle blocking the road with airbags deployed and door open. I went outside and called police who arrived in minutes. Vehicle was not reported stolen and driver is captured on video walking around and looking at my vehicle. Also spoke to neighbors. I’m hoping they reach out to me to provide insurance and take care of the damage they caused.

The license plate on the abandoned car started with AKV, in case that helps jog any memory (police impounded it). If you have any information, the incident # is 24-095491.

CAR BREAK-IN: The image and report were sent by Rachael:

We had two of our car windows smashed at 2:53 am on Ferry Ave. Just wanted to alert folks.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: 13-year-old robbery/assault suspect was already wanted on warrants

We’ve been following up on the 13-year-old boy arrested for investigation of a robbery and assault at the Westwood Village Rite Aid last Saturday night. According to prosecutors and court records, he already has two other cases pending – and was wanted on warrants for both. (We are not publishing his name, as he is in the juvenile prosecution/detention system.)

The first case gained regional media attention – also a business robbery and assault, last September at a mini-mart in Normandy Park, where security video (aired in TV reports like this one) showed someone – allegedly this same suspect – beating and kicking the clerk. The suspect was charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree assault, and third-degree theft. Court documents say he was identified to authorities by his parents – his father is quoted as telling authorities he had taught his son to box and recognized his movements in the store security video. He was held in secure detention for some time but then, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, he was placed on electronic home monitoring this past February 14 (though the KCPAO says they have “consistently” argued for detention). One week later, prosecutors say, he cut the monitoring device, and a warrant was issued. One week after that, on February 28, he was charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission in connection with the theft last October of a Hyundai Elantra in Renton. Two weeks after those charges were filed, he failed to appear for arraignment in mid-March, and prosecutors sought another warrant. Since his arrest last weekend, he has pleaded not guilty. Tomorrow is the deadline for charges in the new case; prosecutors asked that he remain held in secure detention, and a judge agreed.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen gray Sedona (update: found)

MONDAY: Reported by Lisa:

Our 2016 Kia Sedona minivan was stolen overnight from in front of our house in 5600 block of 41st Ave. SW. We went out to find it missing at 4 am. It is a dark gray van with a mountain decal on the left side of the car above the back tire. The license plate is CJL4195. The police (incident) number is 24-94634.

THURSDAY: Lisa says it was found in Ballard.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white mountain bike

4:27 PM: Just sent by Gary:

My bike was just stolen from the bike rack at West Seattle YMCA. Between 3:10 and 3:50 pm 4/7/24.

Description: white mountain bike, no name brand. Has a black bag/rack over back tire. Front suspension. Seat has a tear on one side. (added) Also, the stolen bike has (large) wheels so it’s extra tall.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: Gary sent a photo (and adds that the bike has “straight black handlebars”):

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Woman robbed, assaulted at Westwood Village (updated Monday)

ORIGINAL SATURDAY NIGHT REPORT: Firefighters treated a 58-year-old woman for minor injuries after what was reported to police as a strong-arm robbery and assault at Westwood Village tonight. We don’t have full details of the circumstances, but it was reported to have happened near the Rite Aid store just before 5:30 pm. The victim told police that at least five teenagers – some boys, some girls – attacked her, taking her purse and wallet, according to dispatch. Officers found suspects a few blocks away and made at least one arrest. We’ll be following up.

MONDAY UPDATE, 11:37 AM: We asked SPD for the report narrative. Here’s their reply in its entirety:

On April 6 at about 5:20 p.m., Seattle police were called to a pharmacy in the 2600 block of Southwest Barton Street for reports of a strong-arm robbery. A woman (the victim) reported an employee confronted a group of teens inside the store for not paying for items and she also commented on the situation. She told police one of the teens, a 13-year-old boy, approached her and took her purse before running toward the exit. The woman chased after him. She told police she caught up to him at the store entrance and he grabbed her shirt and threw her to the ground. As she got back up and chased him, he punched her in the face. The suspect and the group ran eastbound on Southwest Barton Street. The victim called police. Officers found the suspect and two other teens near 18th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Barton Street. The 13-year-old boy was arrested and booked into the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center for investigation of robbery. The two others were identified and released. The victim was treated by Seattle fire crews on the scene.

We’re also following up with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to find out what happens next with the 13-year-old suspect.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two stolen vehicles – blue Chevy work truck, black Sportage

Two stolen vehicles reported this morning:

BLUE CHEVY WORK TRUCK: From Terri:

We had our 2001 blue Chevy truck stolen this morning around 5:30 am 4/5/24 at our home at the Willow Court Apt @ 6901 Delridge Way SW. It is our work truck and has a side white tool box located in the bed, is an extended cab and has a long bed. Please call 911 if spotted. A police report has been taken: Incident # 24-91913

STOLEN BLACK SPORTAGE: From Michelle:

My car was stolen last night around 2:30 am on California Ave, close to Austin St. It’s a black 2017 Kia Sportage. License plate BKN1299. The police report number is 24-92019.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Highlander

The report and photo were sent tonight by Chelsea:

Our car was stolen today from in front of our house – a blue Highlander, license plate BKT2250. 36th SW in the Hansen View neighborhood.

That’s southwest of The Mount (which is in the 4800 block of 35th SW). Call 911 if you see it.

ADDED: SPD incident # is 24-090308.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Store burglary

Thanks to Brenda for the tip. Seattle Police investigated a burglary at Advance Auto Parts (4505 38th SW) early today. SPD says they investigated a reported alarm around 5 am and found someone had pried open the back door to get inside. They weren’t able to reach the store’s owner/management at the time so they secured the door after confirming the burglar(s) were gone.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Scooter stolen at school; abandoned-likely-stolen Kia Soul

Two reader reports:

SCOOTER STOLEN AT SCHOOL: From Jody:

Yesterday while my son was at school (Madison Middle School) his electric scooter was stolen while locked on the school’s bike rack. This happened sometime between 8:50 am and 12:20 pm. I am assuming it will be dumped once the battery dies so thought I would put this out there in case a reader sees it. Or a student arrives home with it. The school did check their surveillance video and they state they show it there one minute and gone the next without ever seeing anyone near it. They state it just ‘vanished.’

The scooter is shown in the photo; we have a followup question out for a little more descriptive information. UPDATE:

It is a Navic T5, it has a grey base, black handle, with yellow rims. It is also foldable but currently has black electrical tape over the folding latch as it kept opening while in motion.
I just confirmed with the school the surveillance video shows it went missing at 10:05 am.
I filed a police report and it shows it is pending. The tracking number is T24006814.

ABANDONED-LIKELY-STOLEN SOUL: From Tim:

We discovered an abandoned vehicle obstructing the roadway in High Point this morning and called Parking Enforcement… where we were told first contact would be 7-10 days, and given Report #24-00080981. They transferred us to the Seattle Police non-emergency line, but after waiting nearly an hour on hold we have to get on with our day.

The Kia Soul, cream/off-white, has a broken passenger window and damaged ignition. It is parked on SW Morgan St alongside (a house in the 6400 block of) 29th Ave SW. The car was left over a foot away from the curb, facing the wrong direction and across from another large vehicle. We are concerned that emergency vehicles will not be able to pass through if needed, as other cars are barely getting through or opting to turn another way.

UPDATE: It’s since been moved.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Stolen business van found

On Friday, we published a report from Angela at Budget Blinds-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) about someone stealing one of their company vans and the sample books inside, some of which turned up in Seaview. Today, she emailed to say the van was found in Sunrise Heights: “The van and a lot of missing books have been recovered. … It was the WSB post that a police officer read and realized the van he saw down on 34th and Holden was the stolen one.” Thanks to everyone who watched for it (and those who’ve helped find past stolen vehicles, too).

CRIME WATCH: Roxbury mini-mart robbed

King County Sheriff’s Deputies are reported to be searching with a K-9 after an armed robbery at the 30th/Roxbury 76 station/mini-mart. Two robbers were reported to have left on foot, westbound on Roxbury, after acquiring an additional gun by stealing it from an employee, according to the dispatcher. A “gray sedan” might also be associated with the robbers, as was the case in what was reportedly a similar robbery earlier this evening in South King County. Seattle Police are helping KCSO look for the robbers.

READER REPORT: Missing a red Chevy pickup truck?

From Robert:

There’s a red Chevy Extended Cab 4×4 2500 LS pickup that appears to have been abandoned at the 4800 block of 46 Ave SW in West Seattle.

Condition of truck is pretty good; driver’s-side window down and tail light assembly has fallen off. Inside cab is in pretty good shape; however, the entire steering column and ignition is trashed. Police have been notified.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Assault suspect charged; store arrest; possibly stolen package found

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

ASSAULT SUSPECT CHARGED: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged the man arrested on Tuesday for allegedly shooting at his girlfriend at the just-cleared 1st/Cloverdale encampment. 42-year-old Pascual Ferrer-Gonzalez is charged with second-degree domestic-violence assault and first-degree unlawful gun possession. Charging documents say he “got upset with the victim and began hitting her. After hitting her he armed himself with a rifle and then fired a round at her.” After police arrested him, prosecutors say, they obtained a search warrant for the RV where they found him, and that’s where they seized the weapons and ammunition mentioned previously. He remains jailed, bail set at $300,000, with his arraignment scheduled for April 9th.

STORE SUSPECT CHARGED: Early Thursday, police were called to the Marshalls store in Westwood Village for a report of a possible burglary. They eventually found a 33-year-old woman hiding under a clothing rack inside the store and arrested her for investigation of burglary, though they found no sign of forced entry. The jail docket indicates she was charged with misdemeanor trespassing and released from jail today; the Municipal Court system isn’t bringing up documents to corroborate that so far, though, so we’re not identifying her.

POSSIBLY STOLEN/DUMPED PACKAGE: If you’re in the 4800 block of 42nd SW and are missing a package, Eric may have found the box, tossed into his yard. Contact us and we can connect you.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Budget Blinds van stolen, sample books strewn

From Angela at Budget Blinds-West Seattle (2403 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor):

This morning between 6-7 am one of our Budget Blinds vans was stolen. It was seen around 6:50am between Brandon and 46th Ave SW. A wonderful & helpful neighbor spotted the van and as it drove past her many sample books flew out and onto the street. They were picked up and stored for us to come pick up. We’ve collected 5 so far. Here are a couple photo for reference. If anyone happens to see any more books, or any info on the van, please message me?

License Plate D27632B
2006 Ford Econoline

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Home-invasion robbery investigation, with helicopter (updated)

9:27 PM: Police are searching by ground and air right now for three people suspected in what they’re describing as a “home-invasion robbery” in the 3600 block of California SW [vicinity map]. The descriptions broadcast so far are a white man, 18, 6′, 190 pounds, white Nike Tech sweatshirt (whose identity may be known), armed with a bb gun; a Black male (age not mentioned), 5’8″, slim, all-black clothing, red Jordan shoes, armed with a hammer; and a Hispanic male (age not mentioned), 6 feet tall, white shoes.

9:46 PM: The helicopter moved on as they’d exhausted the possibilities, plus there was a lag of up to half an hour between when the robbery happened and when it was reported. But officers are still searching on the ground, including checking for video cameras in the area.

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: We asked SPD for whatever summary/narrative they have. So far: “At (9:08 pm), the victims were inside their apartment located at the 3600 block of California Ave SW. Three (people) entered through the front door and began grabbing items inside the apartment. (They) grabbed the victims’ cell phones, long BB gun, and marijuana products. The victims were able to recover their cell phones, and the (robbers) exited the apartment. Patrol, K9 and Guardian 1 responded to the scene. The suspects weren’t located. The SPD Robbery Unit was notified about the incident. This is an open and ongoing investigation.”