West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
EVIDENCE OF GUNFIRE: Numerous reports of possible gunfire came in last night in the 10 pm hour, but officers didn’t find any evidence when checking a few possible areas, nor did any injuries or damage surface. However, according to a dispatch around quarter till 10 this morning, someone found shell casings near 29th/Brandon, one of the possible locations mentioned last night.
MISSING A LICENSE PLATE? Reported by a reader in High Point:
This morning I saw a license plate dumped at the intersection of SW Juneau St and 31st Ave SW (High Point). Washington State, CKH0909.
MISSING A BICYCLE? A reader in Westwood found this bicycle abandoned in an alley:
If you recognize it, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.
3:52 PM: Lots of questions about this. Police have converged on a car in Arbor Heights, near 35th/Ocean View, to investigate whether it’s linked to an incident in Fauntleroy involving someone in a car with a gun. They’re questioning two people. So far as we’ve heard in monitoring, they’re still trying to sort it all out; the resident who sent the photo says officers told him it started as a domestic-violence incident. The car that was stopped was reported to have two children in it.
4:19 PM: One man has been arrested, police tell us at the arrest scene. The original incident, in which a gun was brandished, happened near 45th/Wildwood in Fauntleroy. We don’t know whether a gun was found but officers were bagging various items as apparent evidence. The aforementioned children’s mom was brought to the scene earlier so they are OK.
ADDED THURSDAY 11:18 AM: Here’s the brief initial SPD summary of the incident:
Multiple bystanders in the 9200 block of 46 AV SW attempted to intervene in an in-progress assault. The suspect assaulted the bystanders, then produced a handgun, pointed it at multiple people, and fled in a vehicle with the original victim. Officers located the vehicle and detained all occupants. The suspect was arrested and booked …
The suspect is 21 years old and remains in jail this morning, under investigation for assault and unlawful gun possession, the latter because of an assault conviction – we’re still looking into court records but the docket says he was charged in 2021 and resolved the case with a guilty plea in 2022. As for Wednesday’s arrest, there will likely be a probable-cause hearing this afternoon that would determine whether he remains in custody (an initial decision on charges would be later this week); we’ll be checking with prosecutors on what happens next.
ADDED 11:38 AM: The suspect has an extensive record going back to juvenile cases when he was 15 years old. The 2022 conviction involved a gunfire case in Kent, but he has other gun-related convictions, leading to this passage in the charging documents from that case, in a passage arguing for bail (which at one point in that case was set at $1 million):
The Superior Courts of King and Pierce County have repeatedly ordered the Defendant not to possess firearms and he has violated that order with impunity. There is no expectation that he would follow such an order if released. He not only possesses firearms, he endangers the public by his wanton use of them.
He was sentenced in January 2023 to almost five years in state prison for the Kent case, but that included credit for time already served in county jail. We’ll be checking with the Department of Corrections to see when he was released.
ADDED 12:56 PM: DOC says he was released from prison six weeks ago (and is on “community custody” aka parole currently).
ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: We haven’t received documents from today’s hearing yet, but the jail docket shows his bail was set at $100,000.
The report and photo are from Kristin:
Sometime between 8 PM Tuesday, June 18, and 8 AM Wednesday the 19th, my truck, a 1995 white Ford F-150, license plate B65426X, was stolen from the parking lot at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center on Delridge Way SW – I live in the Cooper apartments above the Arts Center. I would sure appreciate if the West Seattle community would keep their eyes out for it.
If you find Kristin’s truck, call it in to 911 – you can refer to SPD incident # 24-166604.
9 PM UPDATE: Found, thanks to tip from Spooled in comments – see below.
Would a new city-imposed $500 fine discourage street racing and “takeovers” like the one caught on video in The Junction earlier this month? This announcement is from City Attorney Ann Davison‘s office:
Today, Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison introduced legislation to the Seattle City Council to address the growing incidence of illegal street racing and “street takeover” events in Seattle.
The legislation, which would adopt new state law expanding the definition of street racing to include drifting and street takeover events, also establishes a $500 civil infraction against the registered owner of a vehicle participating in these activities.
“This legislation responds to the recent rise in large street racing takeover events that pose a safety hazard to the public — pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers,” said City Attorney Davison. “The new civil infraction will give police a tool to hold vehicle owners accountable when their cars are used at these events.”
Over the past several years, Seattle has seen an increase in street racing events comprised of large numbers of vehicles and observers. The participants and spectators literally take over city intersections for drifting, “donuts,” and other dangerous driving techniques. In July 2023, a woman was shot at one of these events, and in May 2024, dozens of drivers continued to participate in a takeover, despite police presence and repeated warnings from officers.
In 2023, state legislators adopted a new state law expanding the definition of street racing. That law went into effect on January 1, 2024.
The $500 infraction proposed by City Attorney Davison is an additional measure which is not in state law.
The proposal will first go to the council’s Public Safety Committee for consideration.
P.S. Police said today that the crash on Alki Avenue early Saturday was preceded by this type of driving – donuts and high speed.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed a charge of unlawful gun possession against the 16-year-old arrested after three people were reported to have been seen firing a gun into Seola Pond. We reported on the incident one week ago today; the 16-year-old was one of two people detained nearby. According to charging documents, the witness who reported this to police was unable to identify exactly who had been firing the gun. But police found a loaded 9mm gun – same caliber as the three casings found by the pond – in the backpack that was in the suspect’s possession. They say he told them it wasn’t his gun or backpack, claiming an unidentified person gave him the backpack. The police report also notes, “A records check of the gun was performed, but no information could be located about who the owner of the gun was.” The 16-year-old, who has no record, has pleaded not guilty and remains on electronic home monitoring (as ordered last week), with the judge adding this condition to stipulated rules of staying in that form of custody: “Respondent shall not brandish firearms or apparent firearms on social media.”
10:54 PM: Second case today of confirmed gunfire: This time in North Delridge, on SW Brandon just east of 29th [vicinity map]. Officers just told dispatch they’ve found shell casings there, after multiple 911 callers in the area reported hearing shots a short time ago. No injuries or property damage reported so far; no witnesses, either, so there’s no word so far of shooter or (potential) vehicle description.
11:06 PM: Officers report they’ve “collected nine 9-millimeter casings.”
1:43 PM: Thanks for the texted tips and photo.
Multiple readers report police are investigating gunfire in Admiral about an hour ago. One reader reports: ” My son and his girlfriend were playing tennis and a black Elantra went by with music blaring, they turned right on Walnut following another car and then heard 4 gunshots. Everyone panicked. My son and his girlfriend stayed behind to talk to the police.” No injuries reported. No official info – we went up after the first text but police were leaving just as we arrived in the area. SPD incident # is 24-162978.
4:50 PM: We weren’t at the desk during the original dispatch on this but have since listened to archived audio. Investigating officers told dispatch it looked like a road-rage incident, with someone in one car shooting at another, and that they found a total of three casings in the 2700 block of Walnut [vicinity map]. A nearby resident sent this short clip (.mov file) in which you can hear the three shots.
Sent by Debra:
Our rented U-Haul moving truck with all of our belongings was stolen between 10pm June 14 and 8:30am June 15 near Walnut Ave SW & Hinds Street. 20′ with North Carolina/Ashville graphics, license plate Arizona AH68825. SPD and U-Haul have been contacted. Police incident # 24-162841.
So far this week, WSB readers have found a stolen car and stolen trailer. Here’s another stolen vehicle to watch for. Reported by RJ:
Stolen vehicle 6/12/2024. 2015 red Subaru Outback 2.5I limited. Stolen from West Seattle YMCA, 3622 SW Snoqualmie Street between 5 and 5:45 pm. Lic #ASP1765. SPD case# 24-160548. Red with black interior, has window guards, rear bumper cover, splash guards (mud flaps). Vin# (ends in 6236). Photo is an example, not my exact car.
Call 911 if you see it.
2:47 PM: You’ll recognize this stolen car if you see it. Reported by Emma:
Our Kia Soul was stolen last night, sometime between 11 PM 6/12 and 7:30 AM 6/13 from our neighborhood near the West Seattle Bridge. It’s a very distinctive blue car with a flame paint job and roof rack on it; we’re hoping that helps us recover it quickly. Please call 911 if you see the car.
Year/Make/Model: 2017 Kia Soul
Color: Blue with flames
VIN: (ends in 8518)
License Plate: BQU7212
Case number: 2024-160559
5 PM: As noted in comments, it was found in High Point along with another stolen car. Emma confirms it’s theirs and they’re headed over.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
LATE-NIGHT GUNFIRE: Police confirm this morning that officers found evidence after responding to 911 calls about possible gunfire heard in the 6900 block of Delridge Way SW just after 11:30 last night. SPD says officers found casings in the street; no injuries and no damage. If you have any information, the incident number is 24-160321.
STOLEN MERCEDES: Elaina reports this black 2011 Mercedes C300 was stolen from outside Admiral Safeway on Wednesday.
Plate is CKG0382; police report # is 24-159934.
RACK THEFT: From a reader via email:
Our brand new Kuat Sherpa 2.0 car rack was stolen right off our vehicle parked on Fauntleroy Way in front of the Maris Apartments. It’s a very high hit zone as our car window was broken into parked on the same street a few months ago. The rack itself was locked into the tow hitch; it seems the criminals had some sort of tool to cut the lock off the tow hitch clean. Thankfully my car was not damaged but lesson learned, do not keep your rack attached, as annoying as it is to take it up with you. This happened between 2-8 am.
No report number yet on that incident. (ADDED FRIDAY: It’s 24-933130.)
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
TEEN GUN ARREST FOLLOWUP: Around this time Monday, we reported on an Arbor Heights incident in which three people were seen at Seola Pond with at least one reportedly firing a gun into the water. Two people were detained nearby; one, who police say was found with a loaded gun, was arrested and booked into youth detention. The 16-year-old had a hearing on Tuesday, at which he was ordered to be on electronic home monitoring while a charging decision is pending – the deadline for that is tomorrow. He is under investigation for second-degree unlawful gun possession; the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells us a conviction on that charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 days in county-level juvenile detention, while state law requires four such convictions before a sentence in state-level juvenile detention is possible. Online court files show no previous record for the person arrested in this case.
STOLEN CAMPER: Also in Arbor Heights, reported by Daniel:
Yesterday, June 11th, between 11 am and 2 pm, our pop-up tent camper was stolen from directly in front of our home. At that time it did not have a hitch lock. More concerning, is during that time, both vehicles at the home were not present. Which leads me to believe that someone was monitoring our camper and waiting for a time when they assumed no one would be home.
It’s disheartening to think, as it leads me to believe that the thief lives within my community and could quite possibly be a neighbor. So please keep an eye out for this old, sentimental pop-up tent trailer. It has Rockwood written on the sides, and a whole bunch of stickers on the back. The only thing of value are the memories of teaching my daughter to enjoy camping and appreciate being outdoors.
Included is a picture of the camper. Please keep an eye out and call it in if you spot it. A police report was filed, incident #: 24-159522.
Please be vigilant, neighbors. Lock your doors and protect the things of value. There are criminals among us watching and waiting for that one time we let our guard down.
ADDED: The trailer’s plate is 2134ZJ.
UPDATE: As discussed in comments, thanks to a reader tip, Daniel has the trailer back!
That’s Ann Marie‘s scooter, stolen near 55th/Charlestown overnight Sunday/Monday. It’s a Piaggo Typhoon, with a “distinct sticker on the back storage bucket.” Plate #4C8026. Her neighbor provided this security video showing people on a motorcycle riding by, then (at about 1:45 in) coming back and taking the scooter:
We’ll add the police report # when we get it. (UPDATE: 24-158815.) “It’s missed,” Ann Marie adds.
Received tonight from a reader:
I’m writing about an incident that occurred on Tuesday, 6/4 at about 3:30 pm. I was walking my dog at the corner of SW Kenyon and 24th Ave SW (across the street from the new pedestrian pathway over Longfellow Creek). A man attacked me from behind and put me in a choke hold. I was forced to the ground, held, and groped. The attacker ultimately released me and disappeared between a couple buildings in Westhaven Apartments. I reported the event to the police.
I just want to get the word out for people to be careful in that area – especially since it happened in the middle of the afternoon. A lot of students from Chief Sealth and Denny walk through that area before and after school.
The person who attacked me was a white male, approximately in his 20s, medium height, slightly overweight. He was wearing black, gray, and white.
No other descriptive details. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 24-151643.
Matthew says this happened near 47th/Hudson:
Our Subaru was successfully prowled last night. We had come back from our kids’ dance recital and accidentally left their iPad in the back seat of our car. The car was unlocked. Maybe for the best, as if they had seen the iPad (and broken) the window to get to it, then we’d have even more to deal with.
Sometime during the night the car was opened. The glove box was rifled through and the iPad was taken.
The bummer is that our 5-year-old son has hearing aids paired to that iPad so that he can play games, listen to shows and control the ambient volume of his hearing aids.
Thankfully, the iPad was signed in to an Apple ID, and Apple’s Find My was on.
This morning-when we realized it was gone-I was able to see its last-known location, where it had checked in. I biked to that location, and found nothing. I plopped down on the curb and happened to look over and saw it leaning up against the telephone pole.
My best guess is that the thief saw that it was signed in and locked to an Apple ID and would be impossible to sell without raising questions, and tossed it aside.
Still a little bit of a bummer as the screen was cracked and the iPad itself had been bent. It still functions, and we’re headed over to the store today to get it replaced under warranty.
All’s well in the end, but prowling is 100% a thing. Ah well!
2:17 PM: Ashley hopes you will be on the lookout for her stolen e-bike, taken from the Marq West apartments on Avalon: “My e-bike was stolen last night. It’s a Magnum green step-through e-bike with a basket on the back. Has a Harry Potter decal on the right side below the battery mount.” She says someone else’s bike was stolen too, and there was an attempted motorcycle theft as well.
3:06 PM: Since we published that report, we’ve received this, from Amanda:
Please be on the lookout for a stolen electric bike. My roommate Elliot‘s electric bike (black colored, still had their white helmet on it) was just stolen from the parking lot of the Rite Aid on California Ave.
Someone in the parking lot was kind enough to snap a video after they noticed the chain being cut, by someone in a black T-shirt and red shorts.
I’ve attached the clearest picture from the video, of the thief riding away with the bike.
No incident # in either theft yet but we’ll add if/when we get those numbers. (UPDATE: For the theft reported by Ashley, it’s 24-155579.)
Several people asked today about a big police response this morning at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. We found out fairly early that it was related to a stolen car, but we didn’t get details from SPD until tonight. Ofc. Eric Muñoz from SPD’s media team says officers were “flagged down by a citizen reporting occupants inside a vehicle dumping trash at Don Armeni Park.” Police determined the vehicle, a white Jeep Cherokee, had been stolen from Federal Way. With people inside, that made it a felony stop, which means a guns-drawn approach. SPD tells us the two people who were in the vehicle were arrested, a 19-year-old woman and 20-year-old man, both booked into King County Jail, where they remain tonight, held for investigation of possession of a stolen vehicle. No previous jail or court records for either one.
Received late Tuesday night from a reader who asked to remain anonymous:
(Tuesday) morning, 6/4/24, at around 5:20 am I was driving up Jacobsen Rd coming from Beach Dr SW when two vehicles attempted to box me in. The black SUV in front of me backed up and tried to use their vehicle to block me and the blue Chevrolet Avalanche sped up close to me. I was able to go around the black SUV, but then the blue pickup truck sped up to follow closely behind, I thought they were going to attempt hit my SUV. Both vehicles continued to follow me at a high speed as I was on the phone with 911, I was also honking my horn continuously in hopes to have someone witness/help. I was able to drive up behind a Rivian truck that was also out early in the morning and after that both vehicles turned into another street as we approached 49th ST; I continued to follow the Rivian truck as I was so scared they would come back and being so early there weren’t any other cars out. I probably scared the owner of the Rivian, but I don’t know what would have happened if they weren’t also on the road this morning – so very thankful for them.
I believe they were attempting to carjack my SUV, as I have a fairly newer vehicle. Just wanted to share this as Jacobsen Rd is a little isolated in the mornings and sometimes cell service can be spotty.
After 911 calls about suspected gunfire in South Delridge, police have found evidence of it. Officers told dispatch they’ve found “a scene” at 15th/Barton. Nobody reported injured, so far.
Two Crime Watch reports:
ALKI BREAK-IN SUSPECT CHARGED: The man arrested last Sunday allegedly trying to break into an Alki residence is now charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 47-year-old Sergey Y. Maslov of Puyallup with attempted first-degree burglary. The charging documents confirm what commenters said that day – that the victim is a police officer, off-duty at the time this happened. Prosecutors say he called 911 saying the suspect was armed with a knife, trying to break into his residence, and threatening to kill him – a threat that the calltaker heard during the 911 call. Arriving officers are reported to have found the resident and the suspect in the back yard. Maslov is reported to have told officers, after his arrest, that he was looking for a pump for his bicycle – and he asked them to retrieve a laptop he was charging in the building’s laundry room. The victim told investigating officers that while he was armed with his service revolver, he never pointed it at Maslov, though he said he did identify himself as a police officer at one point. The charging documents say Maslov has no history of felony convictions but has theft, trespass, obstruction, and drug charges “pending.” He remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. There is no mention in these documents of the other cases possibly linked to Maslov, noted in our previous followup – except a mention that the officer whose home he allegedly tried to break into had been among those responding to a similar Admiral incident a day earlier in which Maslov is suspected.
UPPER MORGAN BACKPACK THEFT: Jessica hopes you can watch for this, in case it turns up tossed aside somewhere:
My son’s school backpack was taken from my car this morning. It had his Highline school laptop in it. I don’t think he’s ever left it in the car, and I usually double check that I’ve locked the doors before I go to bed. It must have been the perfect storm of mistakes. It’s gray and from CabinZero and had a bunch of Spanish homework in it.
Here’s a stock photo of a similar backpack.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Police responding to suspected gunfire in North Delridge have just told dispatch that they’ve found evidence – shell casings on the one-lane bridge across Longfellow Creek near 28th SW and SW Nevada [map]. There’s a report that someone saw a person in a vehicle firing a gun, possibly a dark SUV. No injuries reported so far.
ADDED MONDAY: Police finally released a bit of additional information – that they found a total of three casings. No injuries or damage otherwise.
The shoes and knee sleeves in this photo are among the powerlifting equipment stolen in a car break-in in Highland Park – here’s the reader report, via email:
May 29th: Car broken into at Overlook Apartments on SW Kenyon St/Highland Park area. Large black duffel bag was taken that contained powerlifting equipment, including
-red/yellow ASICS wrestling shoes
-red leather belt,
-white/blue Adidas weightlifting shoes
-black knee sleeves
-black competition singlet (women’s)Black bag has “Dragon” embroidered on one end and “Bull Power Team” on the side, and a bull logo on both sides. Hoping the burglar ditched the bag somewhere in the neighborhood: if found, please contact at 206-313-8854.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
BURGLARY-ARREST FOLLOWUP: The 47-year-old Puyallup man arrested in Alki on Sunday morning waived his right to appear in court today, so a decision on bail hasn’t been made yet. Meantime, as noted today in an update on our original story, SPD Blotter has posted a few additional details, and we have obtained the probable-cause court document, which includes this narrative:
At the above date and time, officers responded to the duplex residence located at —- 57 Av SW for a reported “in progress” occupied residential burglary.
The suspect was reported to be armed with a knife by (the resident). Officers responded forthwith and located (suspect) in the back yard of (the resident)’s house. (The suspect) was arrested without incident. I then interviewed (the resident), and he described the following series of events. At about 0900 hours, (the resident) was awakened by a “banging” sound outside his house. (The resident) stated that this noise was loud enough for him to hear it over the earplugs he wears to sleep.
(The resident) heard some additional banging and what sounded like footsteps in the yard over the next 15 or so minutes. (the resident) stated that at first he thought it was his landlord doing some work. (the resident) then heard a strange scraping noise at his home’s back door. (the resident) opened the door and saw (the suspect) standing there with a fixed blade knife in his hand. During my investigation, I noted fresh damage to the door that is likely from (the suspect). (the resident) told (the suspect) to leave and (the suspect) raised the knife — pointing it at (the resident). (the resident) slammed the door and called 911. (the resident) armed himself with a firearm, and circled around the house to attempt to detain (the suspect). (the suspect) threatened to kill (the resident) when ordered to get on the ground and drop the knife. The 911 call taker could hear this threat over the phone call. (the suspect) stored the fixed blade knife on his bike and ignored (the resident) until officers arrived. (the suspect) was advised of his Miranda rights and he stated understood.
The probable cause document also notes that law enforcement objects to the suspect’s release because he allegedly “committed two occupied residential burglaries within 12 hours (and) is the suspect in 8 other criminal cases with the Seattle Police Department including Harassment, Residential Burglary, and Robbery.” Incident numbers are mentioned for those last three, and while we don’t have access to the reports, we did cross-reference the numbers to the Twitter/X call log and they are all West Seattle cases – one is the previously mentioned Saturday burglary on Walnut Ave., and the other two are Junction incidents that happened on January 9th.
Also in Crime Watch:
HIT-RUN WITNESSES SOUGHT: One reader report – Beth‘s looking for witnesses in a hit-run:
At 8:00 am on May 27th, I opened my front door to find a note from a next-door neighbor that had heard a car hitting my car at 11:50 pm on the 26th. My parked car was in front of my house near the corner of 51st pl sw and sw Edmunds. They said the crash was very loud so they left their house immediately to investigate. When my neighbor got outside, they viewed several very drunk-looking teens spilling out of a GMC Yukon (plate WA #BWV—-) which was parking only two cars up from mine on 51st pl. My neighbor said that one teen came over to look at my car and then walked back to the other teens My neighbor said that there were other teens arriving over the next 20 min on bikes, scooters and in cars and the teens were crowding around the corner of 51st pl and Edmunds. There ended up being a group of about 20 teens in all. Then the teens proceeded north up the hill on 51st pl to what the witness thought might be a party at a house that has seemed to have teen parties in the past but they were not sure where the teens’ destination was. The van that hit my car was gone in the morning. My car didn’t sustain much body damage but the van managed to break/bend my wheel/axel or something because I can’t move my wheels and my power steering indicator is flashing so the car must’ve hit mine very hard.
Additionally, in (the photo above), you can see that their back passenger side mud flap got ripped off their car when it hit mine and fell off right by my wheel well. Any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
Beth has filed a police report including the full plate number seen by her neighbor. The temporary number was M0322433; we’ll add the permanent number when available.
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