West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary arrest this morning
Just in from the Southwest Precinct – Capt. Steve Paulsen reports a burglary arrest around 7 am this morning in “the north West Seattle area.” Officers arrested the suspect, he says, “after they observed a suspicious vehicle while patrolling for criminal activity. Evidence and information collected from the vehicle may resolve a number of incidents/crimes that has affected this area in the recent past.” He adds, “This is a great example of our men and women sharing information with each other in regard to crime trends and targeting neighborhood hot spots in order to reduce crime.” We’re pursuing more information on the arrest; we had just been working on a story compiling more specifics about the recent “burglary spike” that Capt. Paulsen had announced at Tuesday night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting.
West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Huge spike’ in burglaries
2nd story from the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (and we have a 3rd story to come, focusing on the 35th SW safety discussion): After something of a lull in residential burglaries, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen announced, there’s been a “huge spike” these past two weeks. How huge? The recent average has been 5 a week, he said, but suddenly “we are pushing almost 20.” Police suspect one or two people are responsible for most of the spike, he said, and they’re asking for community help in catching the culprits.
Capt. Paulsen says two “hot spots” have been the focus of most of the increase – the “William 1” sector, Genesee/Admiral, and the “Frank 3” sector (plus a bit westward), in the 35th/Thistle/Trenton/Barton area. Most of the burglaries are happening between 10 or 11 in the morning and 4 or 5 in the afternoon, he said, and the most common break-in method is kicking in the back door. They suspect “people we have arrested before” are to blame, though when we caught up with Capt. Paulsen toward meeting’s end, he stressed they do not have anyone specific identified yet, nor is there any specific description available to share with you – they just ask that you be extra-vigilant, particularly in those areas and during that time of day, and if you see/hear ANYTHING suspicious, call 911. “We’re putting as many resources as possible” toward stopping the burglary spike, added operations Lt. Pierre Davis. (Other crime trends, according to Capt. Paulsen, are more encouraging – car prowls and thefts are “trending downward,” and non-residential burglaries have ‘flat-lined.”)
West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Prolific’ suspect charged; car, food thefts
3 updates in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight: A multiple-burglary case at a retirement complex in southeast West Seattle has resulted in six charges just filed against 41-year-old John Novotny – four counts of residential burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary. The crimes are alleged to have occurred last month. Novotny is accused of breaking into storage units and other areas at Arrowhead Gardens and stealing items ranging from Christmas ornaments to a sound system. Court documents say some of the stolen property was found in Novotny’s unit at the storage facility near the retirement complex, along with items believed to have been taken in burglaries from other West Seattle residences. Novotny is described in court documents as a “prolific burglar” and has been in the King County Jail since Tuesday and is due in court to answer these charges on April 28th. Meantime, we have two reader reports ahead – a stolen car to watch for, and delivered groceries that somebody made off with:Read More
West Seattle Crime Watch: Plea bargain for Alki man shot by police
(9/3/2010 photo of the 61st/Admiral shooting scene by Christopher Boffoli, for WSB)
Just discovered this in a routine followup check of crime cases we’ve been watching: Thomas Qualls, the 59-year-old Alki man shot by police back in September after pointing an assault rifle at officers, has struck a plea bargain. Last Friday, according to court documents, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted assault with use of a firearm (he originally faced three counts of second-degree assault with firearm enhancement). His statement in court documents:
… I took a substantial step toward intentionally placing (three Seattle Police officers) in immediate and reasonable fear of an assault with a deadly weapon when I came out of my home with a rifle and the rifle was lowered in the direction of (the three officers).
According to the original police narrative about the incident (transcribed in this WSB report), officers went to the home after a 911 call from a family member worried he had made suicidal statements. That narrative also said Qualls fired his rifle, though that is not reflected in his plea statement. He was shot in the abdomen and spent less than a week in the hospital.
Prosecutors will recommend a 2-year sentence (note that Qualls already has been in jail for seven months), which is the high end of the range – 6 months for attempted second-degree assault, plus 18 months for the firearm enhancement. He had no known criminal history. Shortly after the incident, police released this photo of the rifle they say Qualls pointed at the officers:
Their investigation reported that was one of three guns they found at the scene. Qualls’ sentencing is set for April 22nd.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Police searching for robber
11:23 PM: Just got a text inquiring about this, so here’s what we know: Police are searching north of California/Charlestown after a man reported being robbed at gunpoint. He said it happened around California/Manning (map). There’s a K-9 team helping in the search. More as we get it.
11:54 PM: No word of an arrest so far. Initial description, according to WSB contributor Katie Meyer, was “white male, 30, 5’10, beard, mustache, red jacket, reached in waistband and pulled out gun.”
1:17 PM TUESDAY: Checked back with police. No arrest.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglar(s) steal security; clogged thief?
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight. From Todd early today:
I came home (last night) to find my front door kicked in, all the lights on and the back door wide open. Gone are all the computers, cameras, small electronics and any sense of security. Closest intersection is 32nd and Juneau. Two other houses in the hood have been hit in a similar fashion in the last year.
And from Dianne –
Last Saturday night someone entered my car and stole my GPS, left my jar of change on the seat, and took my tote bag that held my clogging shoes. I live on 45th Ave SW in North Admiral – between College and Admiral Way. Anyone seeing or hearing a potential robber wearing clogging shoes, please contact WS Blog.
Well, actually, call the police. But once you’ve reported it to them, feel free to let us know.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Two stolen vehicles, found
Annemarie e-mailed earlier tonight about her 1983 red Toyota pickup, stolen from in front of the Tug Inn … but before we could even put up the request for you to be on the lookout for it, she says watchful West Seattleites helped find it – read on for that story plus another stolen vehicle, now found:Read More
West Seattle Crime Watch: Car theft; car prowlers; robbery pleas
Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon, starting with a stolen car to watch for. From Basil:
My 1984 Subaru 4WD wagon, (license plate) # 860SEP, light blue, with freshly painted white spoked rims and front bumper guard, was stolen from in front of my house this a.m. I live in the 5000 block of SW Olga St. If anyone sees it in the area please call the police (911).
After the jump – a WSB Forums member’s report of car prowling reported to police early today (and what happened when police responded), plus arraignment for two of the suspects in last month’s medical-marijuana-dispensary heist:Read More
West Seattle Crime Watch: Package theft; SWAT aftermath
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, from Jeff:
For the 2nd time in the past 3 months we have had packages stolen off our front door that were delivered by UPS (w/online confirmation of delivery). We live (in the 900 block of) SW Austin Street [map] and the our front door can only be seen if someone is coming from the East of SW Austin (i.e. someone coming from the apartments on the corner of Holden & Highland Park). I spoke to a UPS driver the other day and mentioned that there have been reports of packages stolen from previous posting on the blog but, he wasn’t aware of any recent incidents.
Meantime, a followup on Wednesday’s SWAT standoff at the Seattle West Inn (which will temporarily close as of Monday, as reported here yesterday) on Wednesday.
Police responded to our request for more information with the narrative from their report. It includes new information, including a mention of something we had heard on the scanner but not had confirmed till now – that the man has a record. Read on:Read More
Brief court appearance for jogger-attack suspect Starkenburg
We’re at the King County Courthouse, where the hearing we came for lasted barely a minute. The defendant: 46-year-old Duane Starkenburg, the West Seattle man arrested in late January and charged with indecent liberties for allegedly attacking three women in Lincoln Park over the past seven months. This was to be a “case-setting” hearing; Starkenburg’s lawyer asked for a continuance (postponement), as they continue to receive and review various records in the case, he told the judge; the prosecutor did not object. So Judge Ronald Kessler agreed to the defense’s request to set Starkenburg’s next appearance for May 3rd. Starkenburg did not speak; we won’t have a new photograph from today, but he looked about the same as he did at his last hearing (see photo in this February story), close-shaven head, wearing a dark suit. He remains free on $175,000 bond, and remains under orders to stay out of all parks in King County.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Car gone; ‘brash’ break-in; bloom thief
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes to share this afternoon. First, keep an eye out for the car shown above, which belongs to Alex, and was stolen in the Fairmount Park area:
Last night 3/25, an ’87 burgundy Toyota Supra was stolen at 38th and Graham in West Seattle. It seems to have been stolen from between 7 pm and 8 am this morning 3/26. The car has a number of specific details; it is missing the washer squirters in the hood, has a Casual Industries (black and white circular sticker) on the drivers side of the windshield, lowered with chrome wheels and a large (loud) exhaust. If anyone sees this car, please call Seattle PD and reference police report # 2011-97683.
Second: Tom reports his house was broken into just east/uphill from Solstice Park:
At 10:30 (Friday) morning my home was burglarized. Persons kicked in the rear door, smashing through two locks, and stole electronic items. It was broad, brash, and swift. Appropriate police personnel were informed immediately.
Last but not least, SusieQ shares the story of a flower theft – after the jump:Read More
West Seattle Crime Watch: Truck stolen; car found
Again today, we have a new auto-theft report, and a followup from a stolen car’s owner:
First: That’s Josh‘s pickup, and he is hoping you have seen it:
It was stolen from my house in Highland Park Monday night (3-21). Sometime between 7 pm and 8:30 pm someone stole the truck from in front of my house and I am hoping they drove a short distance and possibly ditched the truck in West Seattle. The canopy and lumber rack are custom made and very easy to spot, I am hoping someone in West Seattle might recognize the truck. … 1988 Toyota 2WD extended cab truck – black. The canopy and lumber rack are custom built of bright silver aluminum. The front driver side fender has a little body damage and back window of the canopy has a NPR sticker. The plate number is B08669S.
And one day after we published a stolen-car report from James, he says his Honda was found near 28th and Roxbury – a couple miles from 35th/Holly, where it was stolen – the roof rack and stereo are gone, he says, but “they left all the audio books, and the hats and the tire chains. They left the pound of organic apples and the 10 Clif bars i had. Which goes to show, these criminals left the nutritious food, and the educational books behind, just to sell a few items that may make them money. Which I can only speculate will not feed them, nor will it help them in their future.”
Robbery, burglary, gun charges in West Seattle dispensary stickup
(11:32 AM UPDATE: We have added the KCPAO’s news release, including information on charges against the youngest suspect, to the end of this story. In it, Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg makes the same points that Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes made in a story published on WSB yesterday – he says regulation is vital, and without it, the current unregulated proliferation “invites violence”)
ORIGINAL 10:01 AM STORY: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed charges in the Saturday night armed robbery at West Seattle medical-marijuana dispensary G.A.M.E. Collective. 
We are expecting additional information from KCPAO this morning but so far, court documents obtained online indicate the adult suspect, 24-year-old Donshae Dwayne Sims of Northgate (state Department of Corrections photo at right), is charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and first-degree unlawful firearm possession (he’s a convicted felon, from an earlier assault case). The older juvenile suspect, 16-year-old Malik Heckard of Des Moines, is charged as an adult – which is why we are publishing his name, though otherwise we generally will not use juvenile suspects’ names – with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and second-degree unlawful firearm possession. Information on the other juvenile suspect’s status is not available through the online court-records system, so we are waiting to hear from prosecutors.
Accompanying the charging documents is more information on how investigators say the heist unfolded (beyond what was contained in probable-cause documents made public on Monday and transcribed in our followup):
Read More
West Seattle Crime Watch: Tell the city about your neighborhood
Just got word of a new city “public safety survey,” and we are going through it even as we type this. First thing we noticed – not all West Seattle neighborhoods are listed in the first question about where you live (Morgan Junction and Gatewood are missing), so choose whatever’s closest. Otherwise, if you are concerned at all about crime and safety – and even if you feel your neighborhood is the safest place anywhere – there are a lot of good meaty questions to answer, about both your perception of crime/safety where you live, and your perception of Seattle police. The survey is here: seattle.gov/publicsafetysurvey – for an explanation, click ahead:Read More
Blockwatch Network: ‘Hostile vegetation,’ more anticrime strategy
The advice that Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Jonathan Kiehn shared with the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network tonight just might prevent a few break-ins – or more than a few. He coached the captains in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design – CPTED (“SEP-ted” as if you were saying “interCEPted”). In addition to concepts you might not have considered before – such as “hostile vegetation” – his presentation busted a few myths, too (is it better to have your blinds up or down? high hedge or not? etc.). More than 45 people crowded the meeting room by the time he began (from almost every neighborhood in West Seattle, according to the round of self-intros that opened the meeting – from Admiral to The Arroyos!). Read on for the highlights:Read More
West Seattle Crime Watch: 1 car gone, another car found
First, the stolen-car report: James says his car was parked at 35th/Holly last night between 10:30 and midnight, when somebody stole it. It’s a 4-cylinder, 4-door white 1997 Honda Accord with a Thule roof rack, “and it’s been lowered,” he adds. He drives it to deliver pizza; it was locked and has an alarm, he says, but somebody made off with it anyway. Call police if you see it.
Now, the found car – you might recall Devin‘s report about two weeks ago – now, it’s been found:
With the help of the Seattle and Tacoma Police, our stolen Acura was found and recovered in Tacoma. There was some minor damage to the steering column (from hotwiring) and the radio and vehicle contents were removed. We were able to get it repaired and the car is back in West Seattle.
Crime-prevention note: We’re just back from a big-turnout West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network meeting at the precinct, featuring a presentation on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design – things to do in and around your home to make it more crime-resistant. We’ll have the story up in the 10 pm hour.
Crime Watch: ‘Polite robber’ Gregory Hess pleads guilty
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has announced that the so-called “polite robber,” caught on videotape apologizing while holding up a Roxbury gas station (just outside city limits) in early February, has pleaded guilty. 65-year-old Gregory Paul Hess pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and will be sentenced April 1st. The PAO says the sentencing range would be 51 to 68 months in prison. As we reported previously, Hess gained some fame eight years ago for a series of robberies attributed to the “Transaction Bandit.” After the local heist this past February, police say, Hess confessed; they also say that he reported putting $90 in the bank, from the $200 he stole.
Followup: 3 West Seattle dispensary-robbery suspects in court
(WSB photo: Police after the robbery, about a block north of the dispensary)
Two days after an armed robbery at a medical-marijuana dispensary in the 5400 block of California SW (original Saturday night WSB coverage here), the three suspects made initial court appearances this afternoon. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says the adult suspect, 24, has bail set at $500,000; the 15- and 16-year-old boys who also were arrested have been ordered to “remain in secure detention.” The KCPAO has until Wednesday to file charges or set the suspects free. We’ll add to this story shortly with details from the court documents accompanying word of today’s hearing.
ADDED 5:31 PM UPDATE: We’re transcribing the court document (minus any suspect/witness names), after the jump:Read More
Attack-survivor Metro driver from West Seattle returns to work
In January 2010, a Metro bus driver who lives on Alki survived a vicious attack while on the job in Tukwila. She recovered well enough to be at the hearings for her teenage attacker (here’s our final report from last April), but wasn’t sure if she would ever return to work. We learned the other day that she had decided to return; today is her first day. She shared some of her thoughts via e-mail:
Yes, it’s true. I am “attempting” to go back. I will be on a limited schedule at first. I was pleasantly surprised that my driving skills were 100% intact so less pressure there. As far as the rest, well, here’s my thoughts:
January 22, 2010 changed me and my family’s life forever. It has been a rough journey. Physically I recovered quite well, except for a small scar. I didn’t really know what post-traumatic-stress disorder was until this. Boy, I do now! I will always carry that night with me, and I have accepted that. The day of the sentencing I forgave the boys and that is when the healing began, and to this day I cannot harbor hate or anger. I needed to gain enough confidence that I could safely drive the bus without “freaking out” while there were passengers on board. I believe I have now reached that point. I am able to work my way through the “rough spots,” whereas a year ago I wouldn’t have even considered going back.
I believe that my mission is now to turn what has happened to me into something positive. In the coming months, and perhaps years, my focus will be on doing my job, creating some sort of program to reach out to our youth, loving my family and hugging my Shiba Inu. When I look into her eyes, as strange as it sounds, I see the big picture. And the big picture is Japan. I am just a speck in the universe compared to this tragedy. I will survive. I will move on. I want to thank the much love and encouragement from literally everyone who has helped me get through this, including King County Metro. My future looks bright. Thank you, and prayer for Japan.
The forgiveness she mentions above was also reflected in the statement she gave in court last April – part of this WSB story. The then-14-year-old was the only one charged with attacking her; two other teens were charged with vandalism as part of the incident.
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