By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of the WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”

*On Wednesday the 9th, officers investigated an altercation between friends in the 6500 block of 44th SW. But it was quickly apparent that the real issue was the living conditions of the 64-year-old homeowner: Feces covered the bathroom floor and the kitchen was littered with dirty dishes. Paper goods piled on top of the stove were deemed a fire hazard. A cat was found in the basement; its litter box was a solid block (from “months of not being changed,” the officer speculated). And the officer saw no food or water available for the cat. Adult services has been requested to visit the man and evaluate his situation, and Animal Control has been requested to check on the cat’s welfare.

*On the 3rd, an officer on the Spokane St. Viaduct clocked a westbound car going 49 mph in the 35 mph zone. He caught up to the car and activated his lights, but the driver sped off at speeds up to 80 mph. She refused to yield and almost rear-ended a car at the intersection of 35th SW and Fauntleroy. The officer stopped the pursuit but later found the car in the 3800 block of Belvidere SW. The registered owner was driving with a suspended license and had multiple speeding tickets. The car was impounded.

Five more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of the WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled in recent days by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”

*In Highland Park on the 25th, a citizen who officers say they know to be “untruthful, profane, and irrational” threatened Waste Management workers with “gunplay” after being frustrated by their presence in the alley near his residence. An officer stood by until they could complete their route; the officer also provided anti-harassment information.

*Around 11 am on the 27th, two would-be burglars were rattling the door of a residence in the 3500 block of SW 105th and were startled when a resident appeared in a window. They ran off an outer deck, knocking over a patio chair. Within hours of this incident, two nearby residences were burglarized.

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By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of the WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled in recent days by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”

*Early Tuesday, an officer was driving past an Admiral grocery store when he recognized a car parked near the front door as being the suspect vehicle in many shoplifting incidents. The officer parked nearby and was able to watch the suspects as they “shopped” inside and as the male half of the couple loaded nearly $400 worth of stolen items into the car. Because the female half of the couple had paid for her items, she was interviewed and released; the man was booked into King County Jail for investigation of theft.

*A Shoreline resident was arrested early Wednesday after screaming in the street and damaging a vehicle in the 7000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW. He was aggressive with officers, failed to obey orders to keep his hands visible, and had to be tased. When told he was under arrest, he spit on the inside window of the patrol car. He could face charges of property damage and obstructing public officers.

Ahead – 11 more summaries, including the case of the speeder who turned out to be wanted in a BIG way, panhandlers vs. missionaries, and sidewalk knife-sharpening:

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By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of the WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled in the past several weeks by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”

*At least one West Seattle business has been struck by the “pay the overdue power bill” scam going around the city. Luckily, the employee became suspicious and called City Light, which confirmed that the company’s bills were up to date and that no payment was necessary (especially to a third party pretending to be a collector).

*On Monday the 2nd, 911 received a call about a man pointing a gun at someone in the 4500 block of Delridge Way. The suspect car was stopped and positively identified in the 6000 block. The driver claimed the incident was the result of road rage — that he had been cut off and “forced to stop” back at the West Seattle Bridge. He also admitted that there was a gun in the car. His passenger was ID’d as the one pointing the gun; his passenger was also his son … and a convicted felon. The 41-year-old Westwood-area resident was booked into King County Jail for investigation of firearms violations.

Five more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*A homeless 24-year-old who hangs out in the Admiral area was spotted last weekend as he sat down at an establishment in the 2600 block of California Ave. SW. Because officers knew he was wanted on a criminal trespass warrant, they stopped to chat. A routine search of his backpack turned up a bolt cutter, hammer and box cutters (Suspect: “I use them for work.” Officer: “Where do you work?” Suspect:“I’m unemployed.”), along with 53 prescription pain killers and a plastic bag full of jewelry. He was booked into King County Jail for the warrant, possession of a drug without a prescription, and possession of burglary and auto theft tools.

Five more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*On the morning of Monday the 1st, a 59-year-old Admiral resident was booked into King County Jail after he pointed a handgun at three construction workers at the home next door and ordered them to “Get the “F(&*” out of there!” When questioned by an officer, he repeatedly denied having pointed a weapon. Interestingly, when he admitted he had a gun and told the officers where to retrieve it, it matched the victims’ descriptions perfectly. The police report noted that the gun had one round in the chamber and 13 rounds in the magazine. He will be investigated for harassment.

Four more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*At 39th and Oregon on the 17th, around 8 pm, a man driving by noticed another citizen being threatened by a man with a gun. He honked his car horn, and the suspect — along with a second man — ran off. The driver picked up the victim and drove him home while the victim called 911. Due to heavy foot traffic in the area, the K9 unit couldn’t pick up a good trail. The man with the gun was described as black, 22-29 years old, around 5’10”, wearing a dark hoodie. The other man (who stole the victim’s cell phone) was described as white, aged 22-29, about 6’2”, wearing dark clothing.

*On the 18th, in the 7300 block of 30th SW, a man found two young men peering into his car, which was warming up in the driveway. He asked, “Did you take something from my car?” In response, one youth turned and punched him four or five times. Officers tracked down two teens matching the description in the restroom at EC Hughes Park. The 15-year-old who threw the punches was booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of assault and for investigation of marijuana possession. The other, 16, was released to his parents.

Nine more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*Along Alki on March 5th, a citizen flagged down a passing officer to express concerns about a man in a nearby coffee shop. The barista greeted the investigating officer, saying that the man had been sitting in the shop for an hour, staring at her, but had not ordered anything. A computer check showed that the suspect was wanted on a $5,000 King County warrant for negligent driving. He was arrested and booked into King County Jail.

*Overnight on the 3rd, both a gas station and a coffee shop near The Junction were burglarized. From one, the thief took lottery tickets, a computer, and some phones. (The cash register was untouched.) From the second, about $800 was missing.

*A citizen reports that on the afternoon of February 27th, he was followed closely, sworn at, and threatened with death four times by a man who was apparently enraged that the victim (riding what was described as a motorized disability scooter) was using the bicycle lane. The victim drove onto a side street to avoid the suspect, who followed him into the parking lot of an Admiral business to continue his tirade. The suspect was a white man, 30-49 years old, with brown hair and a full, short-trimmed beard. He drove a newer, black Volvo station wagon.

Ahead – alert citizens help catch car-prowling suspects, a $5 apology, and 6 more summaries:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*A Valentine’s Day low tide brought an artifact seeker to the banks of the Duwamish. In the muck, he came across what looked like a disintegrated steamer trunk. It contained pieces of gold-edged dishware and what appeared to be human remains — including a hip bone. Officers transported the items to the Medical Examiner’s office.

Five more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*At 2 pm this past Saturday, officers helped Animal Control on a call about a dog being mistreated in a wooded area on Myers Way. The dog’s owner was wanted on $5,000 worth of warrants for vehicle prowling, theft, harassment and failure to appear. Both he and the dog were taken into custody without incident. From the man’s campsite, officers recovered a pry tool, window punch tool and an ax.

*An Arbor Heights woman known to “care for dogs” refused to give a canine back to its owner, claiming she had spent $1250 on veterinary costs after the dog had been placed in her care. The owner had never approved any veterinary treatment. An officer explained that the caregiver had taken on the expense at her own risk and that if she refused to return the dog to the owner, she would be charged with theft. The caregiver said, “Fine,” and decided to keep the dog. Both parties were given a case number.

Nine more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” We skipped a roundup in mid-December, so there are several incidents from that time toward the end:

*On December 27th, officers were dispatched to a North Admiral apartment where an elderly man who needs a wheelchair had been beaten all over his body by his adult son. Dad also had a severe contusion over his left eye and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Son had fled the scene before officers arrived.

*On the 28th, on Marine Ave. SW, a man saw a stranger in a neighbor’s car. He pulled the man out (the suspect’s three friends scattered) and held him while he called 911. Before officers arrived, the friends returned. One punched the victim in the chin, causing him to let go of the suspect. The suspects were described as four thin white males, about 17-18 years of age, wearing all dark clothing.

*On the afternoon of the 30th, a car broke down on the lower West Seattle Bridge. The driver pushed it clear (though the vehicle was sparking and smoking) and then walked away, dropping a small handgun in a construction tool belt nearby. A bit later (after officers found a stun gun in a holster in the vehicle), a woman (claiming to be the driver’s girlfriend) and another man arrived. She gave officers the boyfriend’s name, but she was evasive and nervous. A records check showed that her boyfriend was a convicted felon (prohibited from having a gun) and was wanted on two warrants. The car was left at the scene and the weapons taken as evidence. The gun had a magazine loaded with five .22 caliber rounds.

*A dog walker called 911 after finding a shotgun in a wooded part of Me-Kwa-Mooks park on the 28th. An officer confiscated the firearm.

11 more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*A week ago Saturday, on 17th SW, a man described as someone known in the neighborhood for a dislike of dogs walked by a home where a dog was behind a fence. He stopped, pointed something at the dog, and started to walk away. The owner, thinking the man had taken the dog’s picture, wondered why. He caught up to the man, who complained that the dog was “always barking” and that he hadn’t used a camera but a device that emits sound waves that bother canines. He returned 15 minutes later, stood across the street from the home, glared at the dog’s owners and spent time studying their backyard. Concerned, the couple called 911. Officers visited the suspect, who lives around the corner. When he answered the door, officers noticed his lapel pin in the symbol of Hitler’s Schutzstaffel (“SS”). Their report states that the man was “immediately confrontational,” claiming the dog had jumped at him and that he would kill it. It was noted that he has a concealed-weapons permit. Officers suggested that since he hates dogs, he might want to avoid that block and that he should be careful about using devices that might injure an animal. The man’s response? “I’ll do as I please and go where I want to.”

*New scam: Someone calls, claims you bounced a check, and says you’ll be responsible for huge fines — and face arrest — unless you send a money order or provide the caller with your debit-card information. Do not do so. Just hang up.

Twelve more summaries ahead:

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By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*In Highland Park, the recent election caused some friction between a father and son: Thirty-nine-year-old dad said that no matter how legal marijuana was going to be, it was not to be smoked in his house. He also laid down the law: Sonny would have to start working to help support the household. The discussion ended up getting slightly physical, and someone called 911. Son (19 years old) told officers that his dad is very wrong to force him to work. According to the report, “The son says that it is cold and raining outside and that he prefers to stay inside where he is warm and has food to eat. He also feels it’s his dad’s responsibility to provide for him.” Officers told the son to go spend the night at his brother’s in order to cool off.

*On Thursday the 8th, an employee of Nucor Steel was driving along Harbor Avenue when he noticed three men stealing scrap metal from the company’s property. He called company security and the security team called 911 to describe the thieves and their car. Officers pulled the vehicle over on Highland Park Way. It was full of scrap metal, but the three denied they had climbed or gone over any fences to get it. (Indeed: The report says they had cut *through* a fence to access the material.) All three were booked into King County Jail for investigation of burglary.

Six more summaries, including new information on a police-guns-drawn incident at a local gas station last weekend:

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By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*A Highland Park family’s car has been damaged for the second time recently. Previously someone cut the brake lines; this time, someone entered the fenced yard, disconnected the rear brake line, punched a hole in the oil filter, and poured oil into the gas tank. A member of the family is on kidney dialysis and needs the car for regular transportation to treatment.

*Thursday evening, in the 5200 block of 37th SW, a couple left their home to walk the dog. Twenty minutes later they returned to discover that someone had stolen computers, assorted electrical items and a wallet from inside.

Ahead, more details on an early-morning break-in earlier this week, plus five other summaries:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*A 20-year-old and a 17-year-old high school student were picked up at 39th SW and Admiral Way on Monday afternoon after they stole liquor and bottles of soda from an Admiral grocery. The older was booked into King County Jail for investigation of shoplifting. The younger was released to his grandmother at the Southwest Precinct.

Five more summaries ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*The phrase “art walk” took on a new meaning on Gatewood Hill early Monday, where officers responded to a report of a suspicious person in a backyard and found signs of a break-in and theft at a home that had been staged for sale.
A K-9 dog led an officer through the yard, through a hole in a fence, through a neighbor’s yard, back onto a sidewalk and finally to the side of a home further down the block. Lying on her side was a woman. Lying on her back deck were the two missing pieces of art. The 52-year-old was booked into King County Jail for investigation of burglary.

Three more incidents (including one that’s not for the squeamish) – ahead:Read More

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” :

*Officers visited a residence in the 1200 block of Alki Ave. SW late last Sunday after several citizens reported that a woman was being assaulted. The boyfriend was booked into King County Jail for investigation of domestic-violence assault. The intoxicated victim denied that anything had become physical, explaining that the pair had simply been squabbling over NFL games and “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

Four more summaries ahead:Read More