West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
Our periodic check of files in notable West Seattle criminal cases has turned up a significant development in one: 26-year-old Keelan T. Malone has been found incompetent to stand trial in last June’s burglary/sexual assault near 13th/Roxbury, and sent to Western State Hospital for attempted restoration of competency. We reported in July that the competency evaluation was ordered, two weeks after two charges were filed against him, burglary with sexual motivation and indecent liberties. The evaluation results were presented at a hearing this past week during which Superior Court Judge Sean O’Donnell ordered Malone sent to Western State for up to 90 days. The next hearing in the case is set for December 20th.
The photo is from Scott, who found that bike on 26th SW between Genesee and Alaska: “Been here since last last evening [9/28]. Have moved it into my yard on 26th for safekeeping.” Let us know if it’s yours.
Two more West Seattle businesses hit by crime.
(WSB photo)
STARBUCKS BREAK-IN: Thanks for the e-mailed tips on this. The sign above warns customers that the back entrance at the Morgan Junction Starbucks is closed (the store itself is open). Both the store and police confirm the break-in early this morning. The burglar(s) got in by breaking door glass. No other details available so far.
TOSHI’S ROBBERY: After our report last night on a shoplifting-turned-robbery incident at Home Depot on Delridge, a commenter mentioned Toshi’s Teriyaki in Westwood Village had been robbed earlier in the evening. We followed up this morning with SPD; they tell us it was a tip-jar robbery and that a “female suspect … was later located on a Metro bus and taken into custody.”
Maybe you can help find this stolen bicycle:
Erin reports, “Please keep your eyes peeled for this bike. It was stolen from our back yard [30th/Webster]. Last seen Tuesday night. It’s been in our family since the ’80s. Schwinn Chameleon. Has old-school spokey-dokes on both wheels. Has three red reflectors in back.” We’ll add the police-report # when it’s available.
UPDATE: See comments – police found the bicycle!
8:24 PM: If you’re hearing Guardian One, the helicopter crew has tweeted that they are helping Seattle Police search for “a robbery suspect that fled in a vehicle on Delridge Way SW from the Home Depot.” More when we get it.
9:04 PM: We checked the area and couldn’t find anyone still searching, so we stopped at the precinct to see what we could find out. The robbery was a case of shoplifting turned violent. No one in custody.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the fourth time in two weeks, the big headline in a community-meeting update from Southwest Precinct police leadership was the Myers Way east-side cleanup – now under way.
This time, the update was at the first West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting since the group’s summer hiatus (most community groups skip at least a month of meetings in the summer). The meeting also included a briefing on Mental Health First Aid training. But first:
POLICE BRIEFING: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said they’re trying to “not spend a lot of time reintroducing ourselves to old problems … there’s a lot of frustration with problems that pop up over and over again.” He said RVs and encampments are a recurring concern and insisted “we go after them very vigorously until we get them gone.” He said they have been “dismantling that monstrosity,” referring to the illegal encampment on Myers Way where a major city-led cleanup is in its second day – we went by again this afternoon and saw 29 city vehicles large and small, including SPD’s Mobile Precinct.
From John:
My car was stolen from the big parking lot in the Junction right next to the AJ Apartments near the alleyway next to the Senior Center. It was stolen today, 9/25, sometime between 9 am and 12:15 pm. It’s a 1998 silver Acura Integra, license plate APJ5398. I’ve filed a police report and am looking for any information on its whereabouts. The car is identifiable by a decent-sized hole/damage to the front fender. I just wanted to put this out there in the hopes that someone saw it being stolen or if somebody identifies it after the fact.
If you see it, call 911.
We’ve reported multiple times on Puget Ridge resident Gregory L. Thompson, but the case that drew the most attention was the June theft of thousands of dollars in seafood that had just been delivered to Seattle Fish Company, caught on security video.
You might recall that police found the fish when at Thompson’s home in connection with another case. Thompson, who is 28 years old, has been back in jail since mid-June. And now court records show that he has pleaded guilty in that case and others, in one big plea-bargain deal. Among the other cases it covers: The witness-intimidation charge mentioned here, in which he went to the house of the owner of a vehicle he had stolen – after it was returned – and shot out its window. Other cases involved firearms and drug violations. Thompson is scheduled for sentencing on October 5th; court documents say prosecutors will recommend 15 months in state prison, including drug treatment as part of the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative option.
Police are investigating an incident in Gatewood, just reported to us by text:
Police just left our home. We had our window shot with some sort of gun/bullet, two bullet holes in window and glass damage interior and exterior, tonight around 8 pm right next to Gatewood (Elementary). School was searched, no clues or leads, shot appears to have come from near Woodside/Fauntleroy [map]. We want people to be aware in the neighborhood of Gatewood.
No one hurt, but the resident says it was a close call: “If we were in the kitchen we could have been injured, glass ricocheted and would have been eye level!”
The photo and report are from Nick:
My blue trike wagon and 2 portable generators were stolen from my home. The generators were locked to my travel trailer that was parked in my driveway and the locks were cut very crudely and my GF and I think that they must have taken the trike and carried the generators away on it. I’m including a picture of the bike so that if anyone sees the bike, they can let me know.
The police report # is 2018-353404.
12:54 AM: Police are being sent right now to the Harbor Avenue 7-11 after a reported armed robbery. According to police dispatch, three people robbed the store at gunpoint. The clerk is reported to be injured, so SFD is being sent too. So far, only a partial description of the robbers – three men, one black, two white, in their late 20s, one in a white jacket, two in black jackets. We’ll add anything more we find out.
1:00 AM: Two of the robbers were reported to have been wearing masks; all three were last seen walking away, possibly carrying cases of beer. The Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter is now in the area helping with the search.
1:29 AM: No luck so far.
10:19 AM: We just checked with SPD media relations. The robbers are still at large. Description and circumstances info in the report is all the same as what we reported at the time, with two added details: This was reported by a customer who came into the store about five minutes after the holdup and found the clerk injured. One of the robbers had hit him on the back of the head with an object believed to have been a gun. SFD treated him at the scene.
Two quick West Seattle Crime Watch notes so far this morning:
CAR PROWL: From Marvin, “Car was broken into in the 3500 Fauntleroy Way area. Lock your car doors; be aware that while you are sleeping, there are people looking to steal from you.”
FROM THE ‘LIKELY STOLEN AND DUMPED’ FILE: Texted photo:
The passerby didn’t have time to stop to look inside but guessed that it’s a violin case, seen in The Triangle/East Junction. Possibly yours? Let us know.
THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Haven’t heard from anyone yet – except for an update from the finder, who went back later in the day and took the case – and the instrument inside – for safekeeping.
Dennis hopes you can help find his stolen eBike:
On the 10th of this September I was working out at the YMCA at 3622 SW Snoqualmie St and when I went out to the bike rack, the chain had been cut and the bike was gone. I estimate that the theft occurred at about 5 PM on that day.
It’s a 2013 black OHM with a BAFANG motor connection. It says OHM on the frame. It’s a 20” frame with 28” wheels. It has a Topeak bag on the back where the battery is stored. It has a little tiny brass bell on the handlebars and a brown Brooks saddle with a rain cover.
The folks at the bike shop told me that oftentimes someone will ride an eBike and then dump it when the battery runs out since they can’t charge it at that point.
The SPD incident # is 18-341341.
9:29 AM: If you’ve noticed the police presence in/around Lincoln Park – we just went down to find out. Officers say a man tried to rob the gas station/mini-mart just north of the park and might have fled into the park, so that’s why they’ve been searching. The description broadcast on police radio: “Light-skinned black male, light facial hair,” wearing a baseball-style cap over a pulled-up hoodie with three reflective strips on it and cut-off sleeves, black pants, running shoes. If you have any information, call 911.
9:33 AM: Our crew subsequently went over to the gas station, where they were told it wasn’t an attempt, it was indeed a robbery, and the robber got away with some money. Detectives are there talking with them now.
Have you seen that white Chevrolet Tahoe? It was stolen last night in West Seattle. Plate AIP0892. If you see it, call 911.
Tuesday night, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council resumes monthly meetings after summer break – and it’s all about you. WSCPC president Richard Miller tells WSB the agenda is simple: Updates from local police, followed by open time for you to ask police questions and voice crime/safety-related concerns. It’s a unique chance to talk with police face to face, 7 pm Tuesday (September 18th) at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
Just checked the files on high-profile West Seattle criminal cases we’re following:
EDIXON VELASQUEZ MURDER: The two people charged in this deadly shooting one year ago in Westwood were back in court this morning. A new trial date, January 15th, has been set for Anna Kasparova, an ex-girlfriend of the victim who is alleged to have lured him to his death, and Abel Linares, accused of shooting Velasquez outside his home.
RYAN COX: It’s now been 13 months since this repeat offender was arrested and charged with stabbing a man in Gatewood. Back in July, Cox was found competent to stand trial. At a hearing this morning, the date for his trial was postponed again; pending what emerges at a readiness hearing on October 19th, his trial is tentatively set to start November 5th. His lawyer moved for the delay, according to the document filed after today’s hearing, so they could complete “witness interviews.”
From Rebecca:
Hoping to get some helpful eyes out for our white 1994 Toyota Corolla, license plate AEV0208, stolen overnight from the street near our home in the Roxhill neighborhood. We’ve notified police and would really like to find it – it’s got our toddler’s only car seat in back!
Call 911 if you see it.
Two car-prowl reader reports, including one in which somebody else’s suitcase was left behind:
FROM DUSTIN: “We live on 9000 block of 8th Ave SW. Our car was prowled (this week). Our neighbors car was prowled 2 nights (earlier). Both vehicles were unlocked. Shortly after I opened our recycle can this morning I found a Samsonite suitcase full of women’s clothes. (Presumably from the culprits who were in our vehicle). I wanted to see if someone else was robbed of these items to get them back to the proper owner. I filed a police report, but they did not want the suitcase and clothes.” (If these might be yours, contact us and we’ll connect you.)
FROM ALICE: “Just want to report a car prowl that likely happened between 11:45 pm on 9/12 and 8 am on 9/13. This happened near the intersection of California Ave SW and Bradford St SW. My car was parked on Bradford adjacent to Belli Capelli. My car door and trunk were ajar this morning. They stole a bachelorette gift, rollerblades, and sunglasses.”
7:23 AM: Junction coffee (etc.) shop Sound & Fog (4735 40th SW) is opening late this morning because it got hit by burglars. Proprietor Justin says he’s trying to get the shop open by 8 or 9. He sent the photo above showing some of the damage.
8:24 AM: Open.
Five bicycles in this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:
THREE BIKES STOLEN: Emily hopes you will be on the lookout for three bicycles stolen from her in the 4400 block of 46th SW:
1. Giant Intrigue
2. Giant Trance X1
3. Felt ZW95
The frames are all light-colored. SPD incident # is 2018-338047.
FOUND IN LINCOLN PARK: Lorraine sent the photo:
She saw the bicycle in “a small clearing 100 yards north of south parking lot, next to large fallen tree, also very close to Fauntleroy Way.”
PREVIOUSLY FOUND, NOW WITH PHOTO: We mentioned before that Diane had foun a FELT Z80, blue with white handles, in the bushes near her house. Now, she has a photo:
If thieves take your bicycle – and/or anything else – please be sure to file a police report, to increase the chance of a reunion if someone finds it! Then let us know too.
Saturday night, we received a few messages about a police search, guns drawn, near California/Alaska in The Junction, including the photo above. We weren’t able to find out at the time what the search was about, but we found an incident number and requested followup information today. SPD tells WSB that a man with a gun was reported to have threatened a group of people. No shots fired, no one hurt, but officers found and arrested a suspect. The 40-year-old man remains in jail, under investigation for potential charges including unlawful use of a weapon for intimidation.
From Kristin:
We were reviewing our Nest cam from (Wednesday) night and noted that the car parked in our driveway (which abuts the alleyway) behind 12th Ave SW near Holden was broken into and rifled through. We had 0 things of value in there. We believe the thief probably just came across trash, basically, but … here’s a link to the video clip.
The prowler comes into view at the upper left just before the one minute mark, and goes back off-camera about a minute and a half later.
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