Nine months ago, 33-year-old Emanuel Kozma was found in a treehouse, where he’d tried to hide from police searching for him in connection with package and mail thefts in Alki. He subsequently was charged with three felonies and has been in jail since his original arrest on January 8th. Last month, a jury found him guilty of theft; today, he was sentenced – and is about to go free, having been sentenced to what amounted to time served.

In addition to the theft case, Kozma also had pleaded guilty to two other charges – one, a plea bargain that brought the burglary charge in the Alki case down to criminal trespass, the other in a case for which he had a warrant out for his arrest when caught in Alki. In that case, he pleaded guilty to felony harassment. Charging documents in that case say he had threatened to shoot and kill an 18-year-old woman who was described as a friend, when she avoided responding to his requests to drive him to a probation appointment. The threat happened near Kozma’s home in White Center in the summer of 2014.

Court documents say Kozma’s criminal record – with three and a half pages of convictions – goes back 20 years, to age 12, with what’s described as “numerous misdemeanors and felonies” along the way, including harassment, assault, indecent exposure, and weapons charges. Today, Judge Dean Lum sentenced Kozma to a year in jail, suspended while he is monitored for two years, plus what amounted to the time he’s served since the January arrest, 274 days. He’s still on the King County Jail Register right now, but court documents say the judge signed the order for his release (a drug warrant from Everett is still listed on the register, and it’s not clear whether that’s been resolved, so we’ll continue checking on his post-sentencing status). The photo above, by the way, is the most recent one the state Corrections Department had when we requested it after his arrest.

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

(Screen grab from SPD police-report map, filtered to show car prowls)

CAR PROWL TURNS TO BURGLARY, PLUS, THE STATS: Those are all the car prowls on the Seattle Police report map for West Seattle right now – 16 of them, dated from last Wednesday (September 30th) to last Sunday (October 4th). The default map view is supposed to show the entire past week, but we usually notice a few days lag, and indeed, checking Tweets by Beat (which we aggregate automatically on the WSB Crime Watch page), we see three more from the past two days, so that’s 19. And that’s not even counting the one reported to us this morning by Paul from the 3800 block of 34th SW (map) – that would be the 20th in one week – which he says preceded a burglary:

At approximately 4:05 am today, our dog started barking and we heard someone getting in a car and heading down the alley behind our house, between 34th and 35th. I went into our attached garage and found the garage door to be open and some items were missing. We quickly discovered that the burglars had broken into our car which was parked in the alley and gained access to the garage door remote.

If you could, please ask readers if anyone on or around the 3800 block of 34th SW or 35th SW saw any people or cars around 4 am today, or if they have any security camera footage that they could review. A car prowl is one thing, but a break-in while we’re at home is pretty brazen and unnerving, and any help would be appreciated.

Police did respond and investigate, Paul says. Meantime, another reader report from the queue:

ONE MORE CRIME WATCH NOTE: You might call this one a drive-by theft. It happened Sunday evening, Barry reported – “… a black backpack with wallet, cell phone, and medicine was stolen from the end of the blind alley off Walker between California and 44th. Construction crew working on our house were preparing to leave and were collecting their equipment when a SUV drove down to the end of the alley snatched the backpack and backed out of the alley very quickly.” It was a black Billabong backpack and has been reported to police.

NEXT WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING: 7 pm Tuesday, October 20th, at the Southwest Precinct – come hear crime updates and bring your concerns for Q/A with police.

Just in from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office: 20-year-old Alicia J. Goemaat is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend’s 17-month-old son, Drue Lehto. The allegations are the same as described at the time of her bail hearing last week – that she kicked Drue in the abdomen twice, then put him in his crib, and that’s where the child’s father found his son dead after returning from a trip to the store; court documents say she later confessed to kicking Drue after becoming angry when he and her son, a few months older, fought over a toy. Goemaat remains in the King County Jail, now awaiting arraignment, with prosecutors asking that her bail remain set at $1 million.

As shown here last night, neighbors have started a sidewalk-side memorial for Drue; his father’s family is raising money online for his funeral, and gave us permission to use the family photo shown above.

(Family photo, taken the day Alex left Harborview)
That’s Alex, who survived a crash on Fauntleroy Way north of Lincoln Park four weeks ago. His mother Katie e-mailed to say that investigators are still looking for the driver who left the scene:

On 9/8/15 around 9:30 pm my son was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Fauntleroy and Othello. He was admittedly going over the speed limit when a white truck pulled out in front of him, cutting him off. The driver of the truck then stopped in the middle of my son’s lane, causing my son to hit the back driver’s side quarter panel. The impact threw him off his motorcycle and into two parked cars. The motorcycle slid for quite a ways in the middle of Fauntleroy. The driver of the truck then backed up, looked at my son, and then drove off … leaving my son screaming in pain, asking for help.

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Two followups this morning in the case of 17-month-old Drue Lehto (family photo at right, republished with permission), who died eight days ago in a Morgan Junction apartment, with his father’s 20-year-old girlfriend in jail for investigation of homicide:

First, neighbors invite you to join them tonight in an informal memorial. Alexa told us via e-mail, “There will be a few of us neighbors setting out a small memorial for baby Drue, the baby killed last week, (tonight) at 8:30 by the building [6533 California SW]. Just some flowers, candles, and stuffed toys, no formal event, but others are welcome to come join to pay their respects or stop by the next day to add to the memorial.”

Also, Drue’s aunt Samantha shares word of this crowdfunding page raising money for funeral expenses.

In the criminal case, meantime, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has until tomorrow to file charges against the suspect, who, according to court documents, had lived for about half a year with Drue, his father, and her own toddler from an earlier relationship. She remains in King County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: From Jenny, who says this happened in the Whale Tail Park area:

My car was stolen from out front of my condo on Alki last night after around 10:30 PM, plate number NP06983, black 2011 Honda Element with upgraded wheels. Please keep an eye out for me; my hopes of recovering it are slim, but any help is greatly appreciated.

This is also on SPD’s @getyourcarback Twitter feed.

SUNDAY UPDATE: Jenny confirms that (as reported in a comment) the Element has been found. Missing a few things – including those wheels – but she has it back.

Last night, we published Laura‘s reader report about would-be car thieves who tried repeatedly – and failed repeatedly – to get away with her classic all-original 1972 Chevy Malibu. She now has the video from her Harbor Avenue building’s surveillance camera. First, they pull up to “assess the scene,” as Laura puts it:

Then, this clip is a compilation “a compilation of three trips to the car. And they’re in order. On the last one he’s trying to hotwire it. You can see the dome light flickering.”:

It all happened, Laura says, between midnight and 1 am this past Tuesday. If you have a tip for police, the incident number is 15-341205.

P.S. You might have seen Laura and her car at last month’s West Seattle Car Show:

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports: First, off Harbor Avenue, two people tried to steal Laura‘s 1972 all-original Chevrolet Malibu Monday night/early Tuesday morning. She got this image from the building surveillance system:

Here’s what Laura found inside the car:

She continues, “They made three different passes at the car between 12 and 1 am but inevitably could not start it due to a bad carburetor. … As you can see there is substantial damage. With classic cars, even if insurance covers the cost of damage, you can’t always restore the value once something has been repaired.” She’s hoping to get clearer images from the system soon, but for now, she wanted to get the word out and warn others.

The second report is from Westwood, where another Laura reports her car was broken into:

This morning I discovered my car had been prowled in my driveway near 22nd Av SW and SW Barton. No forced entry, kids probably forgot to lock it. A red bag with a Chinese design was taken. Motion sensor lights did not deter this thief, and the dog must have slept through the whole thing.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this evening:

PACKAGE-THEFT VIDEO: This reader video is from 34th and Morgan, 6:43 pm this past Thurdsay:

Two people go through a gate, come back out, enter the next one, and when they emerge, the first person is carrying something extra – which the person whose system recorded the video says is the bag delivered to their doorstep from Macy’s. Let police know if the people in the video look familiar.

CAR BREAK-IN: In Upper Fauntleroy this morning, 4 am in the 8800 block of 40th SW, a car window was broken and “some sports gear of minor value stolen.” The victim says a neighbor’s security camera recorded it (we’re asking if they have any images to share) and that the “video showed that the people who did it looked into several cars with a flashlight before breaking into ours. Definitely a good lesson to not leave anything in your car (even though in our case it was just two small bags)!”

SPEAKING OF BAGS: The person who found this one thinks it’s probably discarded loot from a home or car break-in – it wasn’t far from what’s been a burglary/car-prowl hotspot lately – so take a look:

The finder says, “My husband found this backpack in the alley behind our house. (Between 35th & 36th, Findlay & Brandon). All of the zippers were open. There are some workout clothes and shoes still in it. I know there have been quite a few break ins lately. Would love to get it back to
its proper owner.”

A reader e-mailed this alert for others who use the Alki Trail:

I wanted to share an incident I witnessed yesterday (Thursday, 9/24). At about 4:30 PM I was walking on the bike path in the 3000 block of Harbor Ave [map] and saw a man in the driver’s seat of a white pickup truck parked facing northbound with no pants on, masturbating. I didn’t stop or slow down, but called 911 as I kept walking. They said they’d send someone out. Once I got about a hundred yards down the path I looked back, but he was gone. I doubt the police were able to find him. I wish I was brave enough to try and get a video or photo for police, but didn’t want him to know I noticed what he was doing. I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy does this regularly, so a heads-up to the other walkers, joggers, and bikers to be on the lookout. I didn’t get a good look at his face, but he was white, had a bit of a belly, and was wearing a white t-shirt (and nothing else). His truck was a little older, maybe 1995-2000, possibly extended or crew cab.

In the photo is Patrick‘s stolen wagon – if you see it, call 911:

My 1985 Volvo 245 turbo wagon was stolen from the Junction last night between 11 and 7 this morning. Taken from my building parking lot on 44th and Alaska. Plate #ASL2453

In West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:

STOLEN BICYCLE & BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: That’s Lisa‘s bike, stolen – via cutting off two locks, including a “U lock” – in the 9100 block of 45th SW between 10:40 last night and 2 this afternoon. She adds, “They attempted to break in to my apartment but were unsuccessful.” A police report is in progress. Be on the lookout for her bicycle.

ABANDONED BICYCLE: In most cases, that means someone stole it and cast it aside, so we’re featuring Denise‘s discovery here:

Located 18th/Myrtle near greenbelt to Sanislo, 1/2 block north of intersection, in bushes on west side of road. (Wednesday) morning, I was dropping off materials for a specialist at Sanislo Elem, and saw this abandoned bike. Thought “physical fitness bicycle” characteristic was familiar…

BURGLARY HOTSPOT: Another one Tuesday in the general Camp Long area. From George:

At 9:10 a.m. our back door alarm was triggered (5200 block of 35th Ave SW near Brandon). Neither of us were at home but the police were dispatched. They didn’t see any forced entry — the burglar(s) must have been scared off by the alarm, but clearly the back door had been tampered with, which triggered the alarm.

Ours is at least the third house in the immediate vicinity that has been targeted by burglars in the past year, so this is a reminder to call 9-1-1 if you see any suspicious activity. Likewise, if anyone saw anyone acting suspiciously or perhaps running from or speeding away from 35th and Brandon at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday and can provide any identifying info, please contact the police.

Then on Wednesday morning, according to a note from another area resident, 36th between Brandon and Findlay, had a burglary attempt following at least two car break-ins and home burglaries since Sunday. One of those victims saw a man trying the doors on her neighbor’s house yesterday, then called police, only to see the would-be burglar “hide in another house/yard across the alley when they drove by”; she then saw the man break into another house after police left. Neighbors Then watched as he came back and entered her neighbor’s house, as she tried again to get the police to come. This tipster also says, “I would like to let folks in our extended neighborhood know to be on the lookout and to report any car prowls or suspicious activity.”

9:44 AM: Police are searching north of The Junction after a bank robbery reported at the Washington Federal branch in the 4100 block of California SW. No other details yet.

9:55 AM: Only description we’ve heard so far is partial: “”black jacket, olive green wading boots, cargo pants.”

A K-9 team is helping search.

10:16 AM: We have asked police at the scene if any more descriptive information is available. So far: 6′, male, hat obscuring his face. He was reported to have shown a gun. This is the third bank robbery in West Seattle in less than two months, after more than a year without one – the Bank of America in Admiral was held up last Friday, and the Umpqua Bank in Admiral was robbed in early August.

11:34 AM: Thanks to those who have pointed out that two nearby schools, Tilden School (WSB sponsor) and Holy Rosary School, have been in what amounts to shelter-in-place because of this.

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

DOES THIS JEWELRY CHEST SOUND FAMILIAR? Amy, who found it, is all but certain it’s tossed-aside burglary loot:

Hi, I found a large wood jewelry chest dumped in some shrubs in the alley behind where I live. I suspect it belongs to someone whose home was (burglarized) and dumped after they took all the contents. I live near California / Findlay. Wood (cherry colored), 17 x 11 5/8 x 9 1/4, the top lifts up, 3 narrow drawers, burgundy lining. There is a small gold plaque on the top that could be engraved but isn’t. Each side has a gold handle. Sticker on the bottom says: Eureke Mfg. Co, Division of Reed & Barton Silversmith’s Norton MA -2766, also stamped 9/99.

When last we exchanged notes, she was reporting it to police, too. (ADDED: Commenter says this is a silverware chest.)

SPEAKING OF BURGLARIES: Here’s a screenshot from the Seattle Police crime-reports map, showing seven reported burglaries/attempts in West Seattle in the past seven days:

Four are linked (on the city-website version) to reports with details: Last Tuesday night in the 2100 block of 49th SW, a video-game console was stolen; the victim thinks the burglar got in through an unlocked door … Last Tuesday morning in the 8700 block of 16th SW, a resident called police about a man who appeared to be trying to break into a garage off the alley; when confronted, he said he thought it was his friend’s house, and walked away (description: “white male, approximately 6′ tall, wearing dark jeans, a black sweatshirt and a black baseball hat” and carrying a black suitcase “with clothing sticking out of it”) … Earlier last Tuesday morning, in the 9400 block of Delridge Way SW, someone pried open the main entry door to Last Monday in the 9400 block of 7th SW, a house was broken into, its door kicked in and a window smashed, but nothing appeared to have been taken – spots of blood, possibly from the intruder(s), were noticed and sampled for evidence.

WINDOW MYSTERY: From Matt in Fauntleroy:

Sometime early Sunday morning (between 5:00-7:00 AM, I would guess) a window at my house (45th & Director) was hit with an unidentified object.

It looks like it was shot with a bb/pellet gun but I have been unable to locate any bb/pellet/bullet. I did call the police and they sent an officer over. He was unable to determine what broke the window, but guessed that it was either a rock or a bb. Just thought I’d let you know in case anyone else in the area suffered the same misfortune.

If you did … be sure to report it.

ONE MORE REMINDER: Tomorrow night brings the next crime prevention/safety meeting in West Seattle, 6:30 pm Tuesday, as the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meets for the first time since summer recess. Agenda details are on the WSBWCN website. (No, you don’t have to be a BW captain, or even member, to be there – all welcome.)

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

MISSING A LOVED ONE’S ASHES? Dawn‘s home and car were broken into last night near Fairmount Park. Someone found some of her stolen belongings and messaged her via Facebook – mentioning along the way that he found some other items too, particularly the ashes of someone named Charlotte Goodman. If you have any idea whose those might be, go here and Dawn can mediate. Police have the info too.

HIT-RUN: Any info about this?

My car was hit (Saturday) afternoon while I was shopping at the Jefferson Square Safeway. The right rear bumper is badly damaged. I was wondering if you could put a short notice in the blog to see if anyone saw anything. … I have a 2014 Honda Civic (white color) that I bought just two weeks ago.

You can contact the victim at rwestad@hotmail.com.

WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: The next crime/safety meeting in West Seattle is this Tuesday night, September 22nd, 6:30 pm, as WSBWCN meets for the first time since summer recess. Lots on the agenda – details on the WSBWCN website. (You do NOT have to be a BW captain, or even member, to attend – all welcome.)