West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
(Photo by Robin Lindsey: SR3’s Casey McLean; SSMMSN First Responders David, Dave, Lynn, and Suzanne and Seattle Parks’ staff Lee and Donald in hi-viz jackets)
SUNDAY, 3:49 PM: An update today from Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network:
We are now up to 10 confirmed shot dead California sea lions in King and Kitsap counties for the period from September to end of November.
On Friday the 30th, Seal Sitters MMSN responded to a report by Seattle Parks employee Marco of a very decomposed California sea lion carcass washed up at Don Armeni boat launch. This was the same animal that was wedged under the Water Taxi dock the day before, which we marked with bio paint for identification and pushed out into the current. Through photo comparison, we were able to verify that this was the same animal reported along the downtown Seattle waterfront some time ago which has been inaccessible. Thanks to Parks and Seal Sitters’ first responders, the carcass was secured until necropsy options could be weighed.
Because of delays getting EPA permits required for towing/sinking, the Marine Mammal Stranding Network is unable to do necropsies until a permit is secured because of disposal issues. That is, unless we have options for burial/disposal on land. Read more about those challenges on my blubberblog post here.
Thanks to the efforts of Carol Baker and her many Seattle Parks/SW employees who lent a hand and provided removal services, we were able to do a limited necropsy onsite of this estimated 600 lb animal. X-rays of the head, done by a local veterinary lab, confirmed that the sea lion had indeed been shot.
There are 6 other reported dead sea lions in King/Kitsap who have not been necropsied, bringing the total of dead sea lions to 16. Additionally, there are several other dead animals in neighboring counties. Blubberblog.org provides the absolute latest updates regarding numbers and any new information.
MONDAY UPDATE: SS also wants you to know that “The Marine Mammal Stranding Network is gathering data from those counties and that information will be shared when possible.”
Thanks for the texts/tweets about a sizable emergency response by the bus stops on the SW side of California/Alaska. Here’s what we found out at the scene: Two men got into a fight at the bus stop (which is why KC Sheriff’s Transit Police are handling). One man is going to the hospital; the other was arrested.
In West Seattle Crime Watch this evening:
LURING SUSPECT CHARGED: 25-year-old Tamir S. Mohammed was charged today with luring, three days after he was arrested on Puget Ridge. Court documents say the 14-year-old victim got on the 128 bus in the 3200 block of California SW; Mohammed boarded by 35th/Morgan. She got off the bus on 16th near SW Holly and he followed her, asking her name and saying “I’m lonely and I need someone to be with me.” He walked ahead of her at one point and she thought he was gone until he appeared in a driveway, telling her she should come down the driveway to see some Christmas lights, then grabbing her hand and trying to drag her with him. She tried to get him to stop by saying she was only 12 and that her father was waiting nearby; she said police cars started to arrive in the area and he let her go and fled. The house with the driveway had surveillance video that allowed officers to later recognize and arrest Mohammed at the 16th/Holden 7-11. He remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Two reader reports:
LAWN MOWER STOLEN: The video is from Greg:
He says his lawn mower was stolen around 8 pm this past Monday, and his car was prowled the next night. He’s near 42nd/Dawson, south of The Junction.
JEWELRY BOX, JEWELRY, CURRENCY COLLECTION TO WATCH FOR: From Dawn:
My house at 12th SW and Henderson was broken into over Thanksgiving weekend while I was out of town (not sure if it was Thursday or Friday).
They stole a vintage jewelry box (black painted with an Asian theme). It had 2 of my grandmother’s opal rings, my son’s baby teeth, lots of jewelry that doesn’t mean much, but has sentimental value.
They also stole my son’s bank and coin/money collection. He had a lot of bills and coins from all over the world. If anyone sees anything discarded, please let me know!
While checking the jail register for an unrelated case, we discovered a suspect had been arrested and charged in two armed robberies last Saturday, one of which happened in West Seattle. 21-year-old Seth C. Tapaka is in the King County Jail in lieu of half a million dollars bail, charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of unlawful gun possession, since he’s a convicted felon who wasn’t supposed to have a gun at all, because of a 2015 robbery conviction for which he cleared probation just a month ago.
He is accused of holding up the South Delridge 7-11 around 5:20 am Saturday, an hour after holding up a Circle K store in South Seattle. At both stores, court documents say, he got away with cigarettes as well as hundreds of dollars in cash. Police reviewing security video from buildings near the 7-11 found that Tapaka’s girlfriend was waiting in his car nearby. Detective Michael Magan noted distinctive features of the green 1997 Honda Accord – particularly a wheel rim that was different from the rest. When the detective returned to the South Delridge area this past Tuesday in hopes of finding more video, he instead spotted that same green Accord, with Tapaka and his girlfriend inside. Det. Magan called for patrol units to stop the car, which they did, at 15th and Roxbury. Subsequent questioning led police to find the handgun used in the holdups, a 9mm semiautomatic Ruger that belonged to a former girlfriend of Tapaka’s, who lives with their child at Tapaka’s mother’s house on Beacon Hill. The report says the former girlfriend also noted, when shown video from the South Seattle holdup, that the gray backpack that Tapaka used was their baby’s diaper bag.
Police are finding shell casings in the 12th/Trenton vicinity, per radio communication, after multiple 911 callers reported hearing gunfire in the area. One caller is reported to have seen someone firing a gun from a car that was seeing going northbound on 13th, then southbound on 12th. No reports of any shooting victims so far.
That’s Israel‘s car, stolen last night in Westwood:
It is a maroon 1999 Subaru Legacy and was stolen from the 9300 block of 30th SW (off Barton) the night of 11/28. The plate starts with “AOL” and it has a roof rack. SPD incident #18-445245.
Call 911 if you see it.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
BURGLARY ALERT: E. in South Delridge e-mailed to report, “Just witnessed an attempted burglary on the 9000 block of 16th Ave. SW. Police responded, no one caught. Just a heads up. People should keep an eye out tonight for suspicious activity.”
THIEF ON CAM: Kirsten says this security-cam video recorded in the Admiral District early today shows the (thoroughly covered) thief who stole from her porch and prowled two vehicles, getting away with:
Skateboard
Fold-up camp bench chairs
Paper prescriptions
Sunglasses
Bowling ball, shoes and league shirt
Coat
SEEN THIS QUILT? Ben‘s car was stolen in the University District last week and found in West Seattle, off West Marginal Way. But what had been inside was missing … including this quilt made by his mom and grandma to commemorate his graduation from high school:
He’s circulating the photo far and wide – maybe it’ll turn up dumped somewhere, or on sale at a thrift shop … Police report # if you have any info is 2018-435916.
(WSB photos)
6:08 PM: Sylvan Way is blocked both ways by a crash in the 6900 block [map] that briefly drew a sizable SFD “extrication” response. Everybody’s out, per radio communication. More info to come.
6:17 PM: Police are searching for someone in connection with this and the Guardian One helicopter has joined the search. Our crew says apparently one of the drivers fled – two vehicles were involved. Two children are hurt and will be taken to a hospital.
6:29 PM: We’re told the children’s mom also will be taken to a hospital. But none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
6:52 PM: Police have detained a man near 25th/Myrtle.
7:03 PM: We’ve confirmed with police that the man is being questioned in connection with the crash; G-1 has tweeted that, too.
7:26 PM: Our crew tells us Sylvan has reopened.
11:56 PM: SPD says the man was arrested for suspected DUI as well as hit-run.
1:18 AM: Husband/dad of pregnant woman and kids hit by the suspected drunk driver says in a comment that they’ll be OK.
12:48 PM: Last night, we reported on the letter sent home by two schools after a student was “inappropriately approached” at a bus stop on Delridge on Monday. Today, SPD has just published a report of an arrest following a luring attempt on Tuesday, saying they’re investigating to see whether the suspect might be linked to other incidents:
A 25-year-old man was arrested last night for attempting to lure a 14-year-old girl in West Seattle.
Just before 6:00 pm Tuesday, officers responded to 16th Avenue SW and SW Holly Street where a 14-year-old girl reported she had been grabbed by an unknown suspect minutes earlier. The victim told officers the suspect had followed her off a Metro bus near South Seattle College. According to the victim, the suspect approached her, grabbed her hand, and told her to come with him, but she was able to pull away. The suspect eventually left the area after the victim stated she would scream. The victim was not injured.
The victim provided a description of the suspect and officers searched the area, locating the man at 16th Avenue SW and SW Holden Street minutes later. He was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect was later booked into the King County Jail for investigation of luring. Detectives are investigating the case, and are reviewing whether the man may be involved in any other similar incidents.
We just checked the register; the suspect remains in King County Jail.
3:46 PM: New information – at a hearing this afternoon, the suspect’s bail was set at $100,000, with the judge finding probable cause to hold him for investigation of attempted second-degree kidnapping and fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He is due back in court Friday. Court documents describe him as “a suspect in an indecent liberties call” two weeks ago but have no further details; the jail register shows he was booked three times earlier this year, for a DUI case, a trespass case, and a car-prowl case.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:
BUSINESS BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Paul shares the security-camera images from behind two of the 35th/Kenyon businesses: “Suspect is seen attempting to break into an external commercial refrigerator and attempted to pry back door open at business next door as well.”
He continues, “Police report has been filed. If anybody knows of any information that would help, please contact SPD in regards to incident # 2018-443379.”
TRUCK MIRROR THEFT: Terese wanted to sound an alert about a thief west of The Junction: “Our truck mirror was stolen from the street near 47th SW & SW Oregon.”
A student waiting at a bus stop was “inappropriately approached” by a man on Monday, according to this note e-mailed to families today by Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark and Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer:
We want to actively share any safety-related information regarding any of our scholars when they are out in our community on their way to and from school.
Yesterday, as one of our 8th grade scholars was waiting at a metro stop on Delridge, an adult male inappropriately approached her and attempted to touch her. She did everything right, including running away and calling her mom, who made a police report and notified our school.
As a reminder, the following tips are recommended by the Seattle Police Department for Metro bus riders:
*Pay attention to your surroundings when walking to or from transit stops and on buses or trains.
*Thieves on transit are on the lookout for cell phones, jewelry or other valuables.
*Keep all personal belongings close by.
If you have concerns about safety at or near your stop, contact your driver or call 911.
Please be assured that the safety and security of our scholars is a top priority at both Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
That’s the entirety of the note, forwarded by a parent (thank you!) – no descriptive information – we’ll check with police tomorrow to see if they have a report available with more details.
Two more West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
STOLEN CAR: Katharine‘s green 1999 Honda CR-V EX was stolen from the Westwood Village QFC parking lot last night (Sunday, November 25th) at 9 pm.
The plate starts with BJQ and the vehicle has bumper stickers “West Seattle” and “Plant-Powered.” SPD incident #18-440904. Call 911 if you see it.
STOLEN MAIL: From Morgan:
We returned on Sunday afternoon around 1:00 pm from the holiday weekend to discover our mail had been stolen. Our mailbox is a locked box, not a great one, and it was open and our mail was gone. A few hours later a nice neighbor returned it saying they found it in the gutter by 29th Ave SW and Myrtle. We are on 34th Ave SW and Webster Street in the Sunrise Heights neighborhood. Just wanted to get the word out since our neighbors’ cars were also vandalized (windows smashed) between Webster and Othello on 34th while we were out of town.
(WSB photos)
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: We usually don’t fully show graffiti vandalism.
The West Seattle residents who found this vandalism outside their homes contacted us about it and asked that we do show it.
They wonder if it has happened to anyone else.
The vandalism appeared behind their homes along an alley in Sunrise Heights – in red paint on a garage, “JEW,” and on the pavement, “F— JEW THIEVE.”
The residents believe it was painted overnight.
The residents say they are Jewish, but they haven’t had problems or threats and have no idea who would do this and why.
Police have been to the scene and photographed the vandalism (here’s background on hate-crime laws), and they are investigating. If you have any tips, call SPD.
TUESDAY UPDATE: We talked a little while ago by phone with the neighbor who first contacted us. She wanted to convey that they are all grateful for the expressions of support and offers of help, but neighbors painted over the vandalism soon after police had been there to investigate, and there’s nothing they really need. She also wanted to convey that the neighbors directly affected by the vandalism are of multiple faiths, including Judaism.
Another stolen car to watch for – reported by John:
My brother’s red with black hood 1993 Honda del Sol was stolen last night from Alki by the church while we were at Thanksgiving.
The plates in the photo are the ones that were on the car when it was stolen, Maine 78-280. If you see it, call 911.
2:23 PM: We concluded this West Seattle Crime Watch report last night with a brief mention of multiple car break-ins near California/Genesee. Comments and tips so far today indicate that was not the only area hit.
That’s a photo texted from North Delridge, near 26th/Genesee/Nevada, where Jen reports “seven cars in a row got windows smashed at 4:30 am.” Police report #2018-437071. Nothing taken from her nor from two other neighbors that she knows of. Not far away, Mark tweeted this photo while police were on scene at 26th/Yancy:
Meantime, back near The Junction:
That’s one of the cars we saw still parked, with broken windows, in the California/42nd/Genesee area. Police had already been to that area, as evidenced by the card left in the car. We later got a text from someone “hit on 39th and Genesee,” sometime after they arrived home around 10:30 pm; police told them several others nearby were hit. Two other reports from comments following last night’s report: Josue reports five cars broken into at Alaska House (42nd/Alaska), and K reports three car break-ins near 34th/Webster. Wherever you are, if it happened to you, please file a police report even if nothing was taken – you can even do that online.
ADDED 8:55 PM: Southwest Precinct operations commander Lt. Steve Strand sent us this update:
We are actively investigating a number of car break-ins near the Alaska Junction, North Delridge, and others. We identified two possible suspects pending further investigation. We also recovered a stolen vehicle with possible evidence from other vehicles. This is a priority for the Seattle Police Department and The Southwest Precinct is allocating resources to address these crimes. Any tips can be sent directly to me at st***********@*****le.gov.
One week after two California sea lions were necropsied at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, and one day after another was buried on the shore near Seacrest, we have an update: 13 sea-lion deaths in the region – not just West Seattle – blamed on “acute trauma … from human interaction.” That’s from an update on the Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network website, which says state and federal authorities continue to investigate. Read the update in its entirety by going here.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight:
STOLEN CR-V: Kirsten reports her car “was parked on 45th Ave between Charlestown and Spokane yesterday evening, and gone today! It is a red 2001 Honda CR-V, plates 774-XOW. The passenger side mirror is damaged and there is a big dent in the back bumper. It’s well loved.
Here’s a photo of a similar car. Call 911 if you see it.
CAR BREAK-INS: Not a lot of info on this so far, but a texter says multiple cars were broken into near California/Genesee tonight. Police were called.
In this edition of West Seattle Crime Watch, two stolen items to look out for, plus prevention advice:
STOLEN SUBARU: From Adam:
Stolen Vehicle: 1998 Subaru Legacy Station Wagon, GT Model (not Outback)
Taken from the 9200 block of 20th Ave SW
Stolen overnight, Monday to Tuesday, this week (11-19/20)
Green with Dark Tinted Windows; Dark Painted Rims, no front License plate. (See photo)
License Plate WA – < BCW7861 >
Please post here if you’ve seen it and approx. location. Or text info to Adam at 206-375-0614.
Thank you, neighbors! This car is an oldie but a goodie. My kids and I would love to have it back!
And of course the first thing to do if you spot a known stolen car is, call 911.
STOLEN JACKET: From Cheryl:
Please keep an eye out for my jacket..it was stolen Friday night, November 9th, around midnight while at The Parliament in Admiral. Hard to miss …super sad it was taken.
PREVENTING/DETERRING CRIME: Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner has seasonal-yet-timeless advice in her newest newsletter, which you can read here (PDF) if the embedded version doesn’t show for you below:
For the second time in less than week, we have a reader report of illegal dumping. Just texted:
Illegal dumping in alleyway between 35th Ave SW and 34th Ave SW around 6:55 pm. Heard loud roar of truck speeding off on Barton. Black bags with other debris spread down the alleyway.
The texter says it’s been reported to police.
P.S. Here’s the text of the no-dumping law, in case you’re curious.
(UPDATED 11:11 AM TUESDAY with new information)
(Added: WSB photos)
11 PM: Lots of sirens in south West Seattle, as one texter noted, and here’s why: A call for major backup went out after someone assaulted a police officer in the 9400 block of 27th SW. We don’t know how the call started but when the call went out for backup, one officer told her colleagues over the radio that there was probable cause to arrest a suspect – who is still being sought – for assault on an officer. No serious injury reported as there’s been no call for medics. The suspect was last reported headed southbound.
11:09 PM: Now there’s an SFD dispatch.
11:29 PM: We’re at the scene to see what more we can find out.
11:40 PM: Police at the scene say this began as a domestic-violence call. A responding officer was assaulted. No info yet on their condition.
12:13 PM: Still searching. As discussed in comments, the siren bursts are a search-related tactic.
3:39 AM: No further info; we’ll be following up with SPD when their media office opens later this morning.
11:11 AM: We’ve talked with police and obtained the narrative from last night’s incident:
According to the report, it started with a 911 call from someone saying their 21-year-old brother was banging on their apartment door and drunk, and was not a welcome visitor. Officers arrived and saw the suspect kicking the door. He tried to leave the scene. A struggle with officers ensued. That’s when, the report says, one officer “was kneed in the head.” A crowd had begun to form and another officer who was trying to provide crowd control was shoved in the chest by someone else. The person who did that ran into and then out of a nearby apartment. That’s when the search began but that suspect was not found. The report describes him only as male, black, dark complexion, 5’9″, 170, wearing a red Cardinals T-shirt and black jeans.
Ultimately the officer who was kneed was taken to the hospital and has since been released; two other officers were checked out by SFD medics at the Southwest Precinct, and one is described as having suffered minor injuries. The original suspect – the man whose brother had called 911 – is in jail for investigation of assault, resisting arrest, and domestic-violence property damage; jail records show he was booked two other times in just the past week, both on suspicion of trespassing.
(Added: Photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)
2:05 PM: Big police response converging on Westwood Village and Roxhill Park after a robbery report. According to police-radio communication, the robbery happened at Target and the robber “pulled a knife on security.” The robber was reported to have been seen heading “toward the bus stop” so police are checking Roxhill Park. Description: “Black male, light-skinned, 6’1″, black hooded puffy jacket with gray fur around the hood, light jeans, black Nike shoes, bright orange backpack.” The stolen items are described as video games.
2:11 PM: Per radio communication, police are detaining a suspect on Roxbury. They also report “knife recovered.”
2:20 PM: Per radio, the man in custody has been taken back to the scene, where the guard has confirmed that’s the suspect, who is now being taken to the precinct.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:52 AM: From Missy:
Our garage was broken into sometime late last night or early this morning. Luckily only one of our bikes was taken. I was hoping to get the word out so that I could possibly get my bike back. The bike was taken from our garage on the 3200 block of 48th Ave SW. It is a 2012 Marin Bridgeway bike in “vintage blue.”
Here’s a photo of a similar bike. (Update) The police report # is 2018-433351.
ADDED 10:37 AM: Just got this from Andre, so we’re adding:
Last night after midnight my bicycle was stolen from a parked and locked car at my home. Stolen was my 2016 Crux cyclocross bike and a Bright Yellow waterproof bike bag. If anyone sees this in the neighborhood please let me know. It’s very distinctive. Blue and Pink and Yellow bike. Contact me at an***********@***il.com
Police are looking for help in solving a series of robberies targeting pizza-shop employees, including a street robbery in which the victim was an employee leaving the South Admiral Domino’s. Just posted to SPD Blotter:
Robbery detectives with the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office robbery are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects in a series of pizza shop robberies.
Officers began investigating these robberies July 27th when a pair of men approached a pizza shop employee attempting to complete a nighttime deposit at a bank in the 7100 block of Martin Luther King Jr Way South. The men assaulted the victim, stole the money, and fled the area. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects.
Weeks later, on August 17th, an employee of a pizza shop in the 4400 block of Rainier Avenue South was closing up for the night when two people approached the door but were unable to enter the locked business. The employee exited the business a half-hour later and was immediately knocked to the ground by the same two men who had tried to enter the business earlier in the evening. The suspects then stole a money bag and fled the scene.
Four days later King County Deputies were called to the 16600 block of International Boulevard in Seatac when the same suspects [above] attacked a pizza shop employee as they attempted to deposit money at a bank.
There have been two additional robberies in Seattle, one in the 9000 block of Rainier Avenue South another in the 3200 block of California Avenue SW.
After poring through the evidence, detectives are now releasing surveillance photos of the suspects and what they believe is the suspects’ vehicle, a gray 2005 Ford Escape SUV.
If you have any information in this case please call the Seattle Police Department Robbery Unit at 206-684-5535.
The Domino’s robbery in West Seattle happened in the early morning hours of October 9th. The incident report says a delivery driver was attacked by a robber who pushed her to the ground as she walked to her car nearby and took her $35 in tip money
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