West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
On Friday night, we reported on a robbery at the Admiral Safeway gas station and the police search that ensued. Today, we followed up with SPD and obtained the incident report. No arrest so far. But the report says police found evidence suggesting the robber might have had a getaway vehicle waiting. The incident narrative in the report is basically what we reported on Friday night – a man (same description as published that night) came in, demanded cash from the till, implied he had a gun, and left after the robbery. The report says the clerk didn’t actually see a gun but that the robber “reached toward the right side of his waistband and pulled up his sweatshirt” and kept his hand there while taking the cash. The K-9 officer who joined in the search found a “heat signature” nearby using what the report describes as a FLIR camera. According to the report, that “signature” indicated “a vehicle was parked for a long period of time while running” on the west side of 42nd SW next to the Safeway supermarket parking lot. Some sort of evidence – redacted in the report – was found there too. Surveillance video, meantime, showed the robber approaching from the north – crossing Admiral Way – and disappearing afterward into the alley between 41st and 42nd, east of the gas station. If you have any info, the SPD incident number is 2018-401639.
Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the WSB inbox tonight:
STOLEN BLACK HIGHLANDER: Maybe you can do for Jill what Kathy did for Patsy earlier today – find her stolen car. Jill’s 2013 black Toyota Highlander with a black cargo box was stolen just over the line in White Center tonight, near the roller rink. “It was pretty much out of gas, so I hope it didn’t go too far,” Jill says. Plate BEC5570. Call 911 if you see it.
CAR WINDOWS BROKEN: From David in Gatewood:
I live on SW Webster Street (3700 block), and we came out to go somewhere at around 3 pm, and saw that someone had broken the driver’s side window on our red Forester that we park in front of our
home. After a cursory cleanup, we drove up the street and saw that at least one other car had gotten the same treatment — broken window, glass on the street. Nothing was taken, they just broke the window. So for those of you tracking that sort of thing, it’s still happening.
CAR PROWL: From Jerry in Seaview:
Our car was prowled sometime last night or early evening today. It was locked, so no idea how the perp got in. Some change was missing and no damage. 5900 block of 46th between Raymond and Juneau. Be aware!
Something for Crime Watch? Report it to police (911 if it’s in progress!), and then to us, so all your WS neighbors can be aware – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.
Three Crime Watch reports related to auto theft – first, an update:
REUNION: We published Patsy‘s stolen-car report here yesterday. Today, reader Kathy spotted it, and now Patsy has it back.
STOLEN BLUE HONDA DEL SOL: From Igor:
Before midnight on October 27th, 1994 Honda del Sol was stolen. Color: blue. Address: intersection of 17th and Barton.
Plate AXH4129. Call 911 if you see it, or this one:
STOLEN BLACK HONDA CIVIC: From Leah in South Park:
My car was stolen sometime between 7:00 pm Friday and 1:00 pm Saturday from S Donovan St and 8th ave S.
Black 98 Honda Civic hatchback, license plate Washington ANB1384. Has bicycling bumper sticker on the back, hail-damage dings all over the body. Attached is a pic of the car from a few years ago.
I’ve reported to SPD (case # 18-402534). The car has been stolen previously from this same area twice before; I had a Club on the steering wheel… Don’t have any idea who could be doing this, but it makes me sad for the neighborhood. If anyone has any info, I would really appreciate it.
From Patsy: “Keep a lookout for a stolen silver, 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen; state park license plate number is PK04605. It was stolen from our carport just off Admiral late Thursday or early Friday morning. If you see it, please report to the police: the police report incident number is 2018-400695.”
9:59 PM: Police are searching the Admiral District after a robbery was reported a short time ago at the Admiral Safeway gas station. Per police radio, the robber is described as white, male, about 50 years old, medium height/build, wearing a brown/camouflage ski mask, brown jacket, blue jeans. He is reported to have shown a gun in his waistband and is possibly headed southbound through the alley from there. If you have any information, call 911.
10:14 PM: Still searching. K-9 team too.
Felony charges have been filed against the three teenage boys arrested after a 19-year-old was robbed of his phone and belt near Fauntleroy and Myrtle last week. The suspects – 14, 15, and 17 years old – are each charged with second-degree robbery. The charging documents lay out the same narrative we reported in our followup – that the defendants allegedly started hassling the victim on a C-Line bus headed northbound on Fauntleroy on the ferry terminal, and that when he got off to try to get away from them, they followed, eventually assaulting and robbing him. They were arrested shortly afterward. The three suspects are due back in court for case-setting hearings next month.
The only monthly meeting with coffee and home-baked treats (pumpkin crumble this time) is now on hiatus until the new year. Here’s what happened when the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network met Tuesday night at the Southwest Precinct:
CRIME UPDATE: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said auto theft remains a big issue. We noticed that earlier in the day, looking at the slides from the most recent downtown SeaStat intradepartmental briefing (MVT = motor-vehicle theft):
(WSB photos from October 24, 2015)
Exactly three years ago – on October 24, 2015 – two men were shot at 23rd SW and SW Willow (map). 24-year-old Jerome Jackson died. 34-year-old Paul Carter III was seriously injured but survived. Later that morning, with SWAT assistance, Nigel S. Hogan was arrested at his house about half a mile away.
But Hogan claimed self-defense, and was released four days later, never charged – until now. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges of second-degree murder and assault against Hogan on Tuesday, citing a forensic analysis of blood-spatter evidence that they say disproved the self-defense claims. As with the original probable-cause documents three years ago, the charging papers say Hogan, Jackson, and the dead man’s brother knew each other but hadn’t been getting along for years. With the charges resulting in a warrant for his arrest, Hogan, now 28 years old, was taken into custody by police in West Seattle tonight and booked into jail. His bail is set at $1 million.
Earlier today, the West Seattle Crime Watch reports were all bicycle-related. This afternoon, it’s all about cars:
ABOUT THE 35TH/BARTON RESPONSE: Thanks to everyone who messaged us about this response a short time ago (including the person who texted the photo, taken from inside a bus that had to stop). Police say it was related to a suspected stolen car that turned out to NOT be a stolen car.
Meantime, two auto-theft reports received via e-mail:
GREEN 1997 HONDA CIVIC: Taken from Arbor Heights earlier this week:
Melody‘s car was taken from her driveway at 97th and 39th SW around 4 pm Monday, a 1997 Honda Civic LX, Dark Green, License AGS2316. Also: “There is (was) a red assist walker, handicapped parking permit, and a small pink service dog vest and leash in the car.” Call 911 if you see it or if you see this next stolen vehicle, also a ’97 Honda:
BLACK 1997 HONDA CR-V: From Codie:
My 1997 Honda CR-V was stolen from my driveway on 4th Ave SW, near Roxbury/Myers Way, between 12:45 am and 8 am. It’s black, 4-door, basic, wear and tear, but in good condition. Had a wheelbarrow and yard working tools in it. Along with my recently passed Father In Law’s Marine Corps hat with his pins on it. License plate number AUA5782.
It was stolen 2 years ago about the same time of year and I happened to drive by it 6 weeks later parked in front of a house by (Dick Thurnau Memorial) Park. Please, if you see any unusual cars parked in your neighborhood for an unusual amount of time, ask your neighbors if it’s theirs or if they have noticed how long it’s been sitting.If nobody knows please take the time to call it in…somebody could be looking for it.
My car sat literally down the road, 8 blocks one way and 6 blocks the other, for over a month, full of “family” stuff at the time, car seat, car hart jacket, dog food, trike…it was super rainy and wet that year. When I happened to find it, it was super moldy and full of everything in it except the dog food…started right up, thankfully. Took months to get all the mold out and the car seat was not useable. However, I spent 6 weeks in the rain on the bus with my 3 year old. That included Halloween. The person whose house we found it in front of said that, yes he had noticed it, and yes he had asked around, but just hadn’t gotten around to calling it in. We made the best of it then and I will again (we have a beater car that we acquired last time this happened through the grace of a friend). My CRV is paid for and I just replaced the windshield and a myriad of other things to ensure that it keeps on keepin on. I can only hope when it is found it’s still drivable. Please keep your eye out … thank you for taking the time to read.
Auto theft is up sharply in this area over last year; more about that in our upcoming coverage of last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting.
Bicycle theft is today’s West Seattle Crime Watch theme, so far. Good news first:
BIKE REUNION: Shortly after we published word from Melissa that her son’s bicycle had been stolen and another left in its place, a reader at Westwood Village reported a bike matching the stolen one’s description had been found dumped at the center. We pointed Melissa to WWV and a reunion ensued! (The bike she found hasn’t been claimed yet, though.)
2 MORE BIKES DUMPED/FOUND: This just turned up in Fauntlee Hills:
And this one in Seaview:
Either one yours? Let us know so we can point you to it.
BURGLAR STEALS 2 BIKES AT ONCE: Here are three short security-cam videos sent by a burglary victim – first, prowling cars in her driveway; then coming back – after stealing the garage opener rom one car – and breaking into the garage; finally, leaving while stealing two bikes at once.
This happened in the span of two early-morning hours on October 17th near South Seattle College on Puget Ridge. The bikes are “a women’s 2017 white Vita specialized bike, size small, and a men’s 2017 Sirrus carbon fiber, size medium.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 18-388463.
By the time the new tentative trial date for Ryan Cox arrives, nearly 16 months will have passed since he was arrested following the August 2017 stabbing of a man in Gatewood. The latest hearing in his case resulted in a new trial date in early December, with both sides saying they still had to work to do to be ready; the prosecution, for example, told the judge it has two more witness statements to get and expects to present at least 20 witnesses at trial. In July, Cox was found competent to stand trial. He remains in jail in lieu of $150,000 bail and is due back in court November 16th for an omnibus (trial-readiness) hearing.
The photo above is from Melissa, who e-mailed to report, “I woke up this morning to find a strange bike in my parking spot behind my house, and my son’s bike was gone.” This was in the 6900 block of California SW. The stolen bicycle is a red Genesis 20″ Boy’s Assault Bicycle. If you happen to find her son’s bike – or if the dumped bike is yours – the temporary police-report holding # is T18013140.
Lindsey sent the photo, hoping you might know who hit her car early today and took off:
My car was hit last night at around 2 am on 63rd and Marguerite. [map] I believe I heard the sound, as I woke up to a loud bang. Unfortunately I heard no further sounds and did not go out to the street to investigate. Police salvaged parts of the other vehicle at the scene. A black Ford, very likely 2004 Mustang, was involved. Please look out for a black vehicle with significant front-end damage in the area. Would probably be more so on the passenger side. Police stated they believe the driver to have been traveling at a very high rate of speed. Possibly 60 MPH or so.
We will add the police report # when we get it.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports and a reminder:
SUV STOLEN: The photo is from C:
The white Escalade, plates BBY1547, was stolen from behind a residence on Alki this morning. Call 911 if you see it.
CARS CASED: D sent this video:
This video of someone casing our vehicles was taken at 0130hrs on Friday the 19th in the Fairmount area – 36th and Raymond. Nothing was stolen from us but my neighbor’s red Subaru was parked out on the street and it was stolen. Unknown if this individual was involved.
CAR PROWLS: From David – “I live in North Admiral on corner of Walker and 49th – I just wanted to let you know that we found our cars had been gone through last night.”
SIDE NOTE: Last community meeting of the year at the Southwest Precinct, with a chance to bring up community concerns to local police, is the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting at 6:30 pm Tuesday (October 23rd) – all welcome.
As promised, we procured the police report about the Thursday street robbery that led to a search through south Morgan Junction and three arrests in west Gatewood.
(WSB photo, Thursday)
The report says it all started on board a bus headed northbound on Fauntleroy Way. The victim – 18 or 19, not a juvenile as first reported – said he got on board at the ferry dock. He said he was confronted on the bus and asked where to buy “weed.” The victim said he didn’t know but that the people who asked him continued staring at him. He felt uncomfortable so he got off the bus at Fauntleroy and Myrtle. They followed him. He crossed the street and they kept following him. Two of them demanded he give them his stuff and swung at him with closed fists. He tried to get away from them by going into nearby retirement center The Kenney but its doors were locked. So he ran north and wound up in the yard of a nearby house. Witnesses told police they saw the victim being beaten and kicked in the yard. The victim said they tried to steal his backpack and eventually got away with his iPhone and Gucci belt. The robbers/attackers then ran eastbound and by then police had been called. Three suspects were spotted at the Morgan Junction McDonald’s. When police arrived there, the three took off running eastbound. Patrol and K9 officers tracked them into the west Gatewood neighborhood where three juveniles were arrested near 41st SW/Heights Place SW [map]. The report says all three were booked into the juvenile-detention center. The victim, meantime, got his phone and belt back; police say he was curled up on the ground in “great pain” when they found him and that SFD medics recommended that he go to a hospital but he declined. We’ll follow up next week to see whether charges will be filed.
Three notes this afternoon:
SMASHED WINDOWS: That’s one of two cars we spotted with broken windows in the Alki area after a tip this morning. Haven’t heard directly from any victims so we don’t know whether these were break-ins or vandalism.
FOUND ITEMS: William found items behind his apartment building in the 3900 block of California SW, dumped and likely stolen, and would like to get them back to their owner(s):
While walking my pooch this morning I found several items that look like they were stolen from someone’s car.
There are two bins, and one fairly nice bag. I am sure that the owner of these items probably wants them returned. Maybe the owner can email me at dempsey.w (at) hotmail (dot) com and describe the items?
JUNCTION BUSINESS BLOCK WATCH: While passing through The Junction on Thursday, we spotted police on foot patrol and tweeted the photo:
Today, SPD Blotter has just published the news that The Junction has become the first business district in the city to launch a Business Block Watch.
Two reader reports – first, from Tammy in the Alki area:
Someone broke into our garage either late last night or today and stole my son’s (10 years old) dirt bike. He is devastated. It was a little red motorcycle made for a kid – Honda. Had a plastic piece on the front of it where there would normally be a number but has a pic of someone riding a motorcycle instead. Please let me know if you saw anything or saw someone pushing it around.
We’ll add the police report # when we get it. Same with the next report, from Dave:
A brand-new Salsa Journeyman Bicycle (700cX54cm) was stolen in front of the Southwest Library on 35th Avenue at approximately 6:00 pm on September 28th.
Dave is offering a reward for its return.
(WSB photo)
1:32 PM: Police are searching for three people believed to be involved in a street robbery in the Morgan Junction area. We don’t know exactly where the robbery happened – per scanner, a “phone and belt” were taken – but police are focusing on the south end of the Morgan business district right now (south of Fauntleroy). More to come.
1:39 PM: K9 has joined the search, which is also extending into nearby residential areas. And now there’s a report of three people “detained” somewhere in the search area.
1:46 PM: The search continues while police sort things out. The actual robbery apparently happened on Fauntleroy, west of where the search has been focused. Added a photo above of the K9 team that has been searching – some possible evidence was found in that strip mall off California south of Fauntleroy; the area where possible suspects were detained is east of there. Meantime, the victim is described as a juvenile.
2:10 PM: Arrests have been made (photo added – in west Gatewood).
If you’re seeing continued police activity in the business area, that’s because more potential evidence was reported to have been found in/near the nearby McDonald’s.
3:44 PM: All three suspects taken into custody were juveniles, SPD confirms. We’ll be checking tomorrow for details from the official report.
Home safety was the spotlight topic at the final West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting of the year, Tuesday night at the Southwest Precinct, so we’re starting with what the ~15 people in attendance heard from Jennifer Danner, the precinct’s crime-prevention coordinator:
She began by going around the room and asking people what they wanted to know about. Most had questions about video and cameras. Danner reminded everyone that she can do home-security assessments. She started with some myth debunking – “when a door is kicked in, it’s not the door that breaks, usually it’s the frame.” Changing the length of the screws with which your door is fastened is an easy, cheap way to help secure it, Danner said. When it comes to locks, exterior doors should have deadbolts – there too, the length is important; an inch-and-a-half throw is even better than the more-standard inch.
Window security – “You always want to add one more thing to your window,” since most windows can be broken into from the outside.
The photo and report are from Leanne:
As I now understand, Lincoln Park is unsafe and cars are broke into here daily. A Good Samaritan helped me to clean the mess. It happened around 3:30 this afternoon. They got a leather tote, purse, iPad, etc. … but not my wallet!! Haha!!!
Every year, Seattle University oversees the citywide Public Safety Survey about crime, safety, and policing, with findings that are then reported to SPD – and you. If you’d like to take this year’s survey, it’s now open – go here to start (and note the variety of language options). Want to know more first? Here’s the announcement published when results of last year’s survey were released.
P.S. If you want to talk about crime/safety in a more immediate manner – remember that tomorrow (Tuesday, October 16th) brings the last West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting of the year, 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
Saturday night, in the span of less than two hours and 4 blocks, police investigated two incidents that sent people to the hospital. What exactly had transpired wasn’t clear in the early going, so we requested and obtained both SPD report narratives this morning:
8800 BLOCK OF DELRIDGE: Here’s our Saturday coverage. The police report says the initial call to 911 was from someone saying she’d been called by her sister, who said her boyfriend had been stabbed and the suspects were “still there.” Police went to the apartment and found no one there – but they did find blood and broken glass. Outside the building, they found the girlfriend’s mother.
While they were talking to her, they found out that medics had been called to treat an injured man a short distance south, at Delridge/Henderson. He turned out to be the man who the girlfriend had said stabbed the victim, according to her mother. The man at Delridge/Henderson claimed his wounds were from trying to defend himself. In the meantime, the K9 team investigating near the original scene finally found the victim, who flagged them down. He was described as intoxicated and uncooperative, and made various claims about how he became injured. Then police found the girlfriend, who told police she used to date the alleged attacker, who is a longtime friend of her current boyfriend, and that the two men started arguing about the relationship. It turned violent, she said, with the former boyfriend breaking a bottle over the head of the current boyfriend, then stabbing him with a piece of broken glass, and trying to strangle her. The 35-year-old ex-boyfriend was eventually arrested and is in the King County Jail for investigation of assault.
9200 BLOCK OF 17TH SW: Here’s our Saturday coverage. According to the police report, a man knocked on the apartment door of a woman he knows in this building and said he had been shot. Police found him lying on her couch with a bullet wound to the left hamstring. The report said he was uncooperative, refusing to answer questions about the circumstances or location of the shooting. The acquaintance said she hadn’t seen anything but did hear a gunshot that seemed to have happened in the building’s parking lot; another person later told police he had been outside at the time and saw a group of five or six people who scattered after what sounded like a shot; a “light-colored mid-sized SUV” left the area shortly afterward. Police did not find any shooting evidence in the area. The report notes the Gang Unit is investigating.
10:39 PM: Another “scenes of violence” response in South Delridge: This time, per dispatch, someone showed up in the 9200 block of 17th SW [map] and said they had been shot in the leg. Updates to come.
10:43 PM: Police arriving at the scene – reported to be in an apartment-building parking lot – are getting reports that a vehicle might have been associated with the shooting, possibly a light-colored SUV.
10:57 PM: The 30-year-old victim is reported to have a gunshot wound to his left leg and is being taken to Harborview by SFD medic unit. No further description of circumstances or suspect(s).
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