West Seattle, Washington
30 Wednesday
(WSB photo, Sunday)
A judge has set bail at $100,000 for the 31-year-old man arrested Sunday for allegedly setting his West Seattle Junction apartment on fire. We covered the fire at the Elan 41 complex at Jefferson Square early yesterday morning; later in the day, police announced they had arrested the resident of the apartment where the fire started. According to probable-cause documents used at this afternoon’s bail hearing, the man first told firefighters that he started the fire because, the report says, “there had been snipers in his apartment and they were shooting at him; to defend himself, he grabbed a bottle of acetone, threw it at them, and lit it on fire.” He then ran out, he is reported to have explained, but came back for his dog. After police arrested him, the report says, officers asked him why he started the fire; they say, “He changed the subject and wanted to know who the person was in the back of the patrol car.” The officer wrote that he advised the suspect he couldn’t see that person; “this made him upset.” The suspect then repeated what he had told SFD, adding, according to the police report, “he had saved people because the snipers would have killed them all.” The only prior arrest we can find for him was a misdemeanor assault case a year and a half ago, dismissed because there was “no prosecuting witness.” Not much information is available about that case but we do note his address was listed as the same apartment. One person was hurt in the fire, an SFD lieutenant who suffered minor injuries.
Another stolen vehicle to watch for – Ayn and her family really need it:
It was stolen the morning of the 8th between 2:30 am and 8:00 am. From in front of our house near the corner of 18th Ave SW & Elmgrove.
It is a Black 2018 Honda Odyssey, license plate# BJX 7919. Has a license plate holder that says SODO Honda of Seattle.
I’m disabled and have three children with Autism. We desperately need our vehicle for doctor appointments and therapies.
My disability placards and walker with wheels and seat were also in the Van.
Call 911 if you see the van – and/or an abandoned walker, too.
(WSB photo, February rally/march)
12:46 PM: Seattle Police have announced an arrest in the February murder of a 16-year-old boy in South Park. This was the deadly shooting that brought more than 100 people to a rally/march for peace days later. While the suspect is not yet charged in the murder, he is also jailed in connection with a $250,000 warrant in a case where charges have been filed, so we are publishing his name: 27-year-old Juan J. Macias. In the other case, he was charged in June with choking his girlfriend unconscious. We are checking with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to see if he is due for a bail hearing today; police say they arrested him in South Park on Saturday.
6:30 PM: Macias did have a bail hearing this afternoon. We don’t have documents yet but the jail register shows his bail now upped to $2,250,000.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning:
STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: From Amanda:
Our truck, a blue 2002 Ford F-250 crew cab, was stolen from outside our house last night. We live on 38th near Oregon st.
(10:50 am update: Plates B96816K.)
CAR PROWLS: Karen says this happened on 48th SW between Hanford and Hinds:
Just wanted to let you know that our block had a car prowler last night. My wife’s car was ransacked, but nothing taken and I could see one other vehicle while walking our dog that had it happen, as well. I forgot to lock the door after running out to move the car. We don’t keep anything of value, but they did go through everything. They opened everything.
(Photo sent by David)
1:22 AM: A Seattle Fire “full response” is headed to the 4700 block of 42nd SW. SFD says the initial report is “light smoke in an apartment building. More to come.
1:25 AM: The address has been updated to 4100 SW Edmunds, the Elan 41 apartments at Jefferson Square. Firefighters on scene are reporting “heavy black smoke” from one side of the building.
1:28 AM: Per scanner – we’re still on the way – flames visible from the second floor.
1:33 AM: Added photo sent by David. SFD crews report fire “knocked down.” SFD reports its first search of the “fire floor and floor above” are “all clear.”
1:36 AM: SFD now reports the fire “under control.” (added) Also from radio communication – one firefighter is reported to have minor injuries.
1:41 AM: Our crew just arrived – adding photo of one of two ladder trucks on scene. This is in the section of the apartments that’s over the east side of Jefferson Square businesses.
1:56 AM: Fire now reported “tapped.” No other injuries reported so far. Our crew says the injured firefighter is a lieutenant who’s been treated by medics and will be OK. The firefighting itself is ramping down but now crews are checking into possible water problems elsewhere in the complex.
2:10 AM: SFD tells us on scene that the residents of the apartment where the fire started were not home at the time. They’re checking adjacent apartments for extension/damage. Also, the injured lieutenant will be checked out at Harborview. A pipe break is reported to be contributing to water problems elsewhere at Jefferson Square, including the parking garage and animal hospital.
2:33 AM: They’re continuing to mop up that water. Some SFD units, meantime, have been dismissed.
3:02 AM: No word yet on the fire’s cause.
10:50 AM: Via Twitter, SFD says the fire was “intentionally set” and that police are investigating. Damage is estimated at $120,000.
1:50 PM: SPD just announced that a resident of the apartment was arrested for investigation of arson after saying he started the fire.
Reader report from Schuyler:
Around 12 pm this afternoon, I was having a yard sale on the corner of 45th and Stevens. A white male in his late 40s to early 50s pulled up in a darker-gray Buick 4-door sedan. He had short grayish hair, and some semblance of a beard, and was wearing a bright green T-shirt and shorts. He was friendly and inquired about a number of items — including my Seiko divers watch.
At one point he made an off the cuff remark stating ‘I wish I could afford some of the items you have here’. It was then, when he believed I was not paying attention, that he picked the watch up and put it in his pocket and began walking to his car. I confronted him and he swore he did not take it and hopped immediately peeled out. The Buick was new and had a temporary paper license plate in the upper left hand corner of the back window — which I was unfortunately unable to read. And The license plate mounts on either bumper contained yellow dealership advertisements – although I did not have time to catch the dealership name. The cops were notified and a report has been filed.
As infuriating as the theft was, it’s less about the item and more about the principle — who the hell steals from a yard sale?
Schuyler
Both reports are from the Schmitz Park Elementary campus vicinity:
FROM MIKE: “Somebody stole our Thule XT Pro bike rack (holds 4 bikes) off our trailer hitch, while parked in our driveway, between 9 pm July 3 and 8:30 am today July 4. Was locked to the hitch too. It’s very heavy, would need a hitch or pick up to take away. Silver/black for the half that has the hitch mount and all black for the add-on half.”
FROM SEAN: “Found this youth gear behind SP near the playfield and suspect the owner may want it back.”
He was not able to scoop it up for safekeeping so if you are looking for it, that’s where to check.
P.S. While we spotlight items like this that might have been stolen and dumped, our main Lost and Found/Non-Pets section is in the WSB Forums, which are self-post.
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
10:24 PM: If you’re hearing the sirens: Police have been searching for a suspect in a store robbery and assault on a security guard in The Admiral District – the address mentioned by the dispatcher checks to Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor).
10:54 PM: We are at Metropolitan Market and found police here. They say it was a case of shoplifting turned violent and that’s why it’s classified now as a robbery. No one in custody so far.
This is not a new scam but somebody must still be falling for it, or else the scammers wouldn’t keep trying it. So we’re sharing the warning just received from Natalie – she got two calls this morning that both spoofed the official Seattle city utilities hotline, 206-684-3000, with someone telling her that her electricity was about to be cut off if she didn’t pay them pronto. The info on this City Light scam-alert page goes for Seattle Public Utilities too – including that they will “never call, email, or make a home visit requesting an immediate payment.” And if you hear from a would-be scammer – report it! Natalie says the SPU person with whom she spoke had gotten other recent reports too
12:57 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “scenes of violence” (formerly “assault with weapon”) response to a house near 35th SW and SW 106th in Arbor Heights. Per scanner, a 29-year-old man is reported to have suffered a gunshot wound to his leg in what was described as a “drive-by shooting” – but the location and circumstances are unclear; it may have happened elsewhere.
1:10 AM: Per scanner, the victim, now described as 24, shot in the “right thigh,” will be taken to the hospital via SFD Medic 32. Officers have broadcast the description of a possible suspect vehicle – black Subaru Outback.
1:15 AM: The victim is reported to have been walking when shot; police report finding a casing near 35th/Roxbury.
Three reader reports tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch, plus crime-prevention advice:
APARTMENT STORAGE UNIT BREAK-IN: From Erik:
On Sunday, July 1st at approximately 10:00 am, 2 very large black cases were taken from a secured storage unit at Youngstown Flats in West Seattle (4040 26th SW). The person/persons who took the bags would have had to enter the secured building, get through the locked storage room door and cut through the top portion of the storage unit. The 2 bags taken contained optical frames. They also took branded MCM and Calvin Klein gifts. If anyone saw anything, please reach out to SPD or myself at er********@***oo.com.
CAR PROWL: From Adam – “Car prowled last night, 50th Ave SW.” (4500 block)
PAINT VANDALISM: Another in the series of recent paint-on-car vandalism incidents, this time from Stephen:
My car was also vandalized on Friday night, right outside of The Westy [35th south of Kenyon]. Definitely the same color of paint.
We cropped the photo as we usually do, but this one, unlike the others we’ve seen, was a recognizable symbol – the circled A (for anarchy).
CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE: The latest bulletin from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner focuses on preventing a particularly prevalent type of burglary:
As you may have heard before, in the SW Precinct we have recently seen an increase in burglaries of outbuildings – including sheds and garages. In order to hopefully decrease these incidents – we wanted to make sure that we are providing our community with the best prevention techniques possible. Provided below is some information about what a burglary is, as well as ways we can help prevent these types of incidents.
Please keep in mind that I do offer free safety/security assessments- and if you are interested in this- you can contact me directly.
What is burglary? How is it different from theft?
-Burglary is defined by the Seattle Police Department as: when someone enters physical property (including a garage or shed), not his or her own, without permission, with the intent to commit a crime
-Theft is defined as: whenever property is taken
For law enforcement, there is a difference between burglary and theft and when you report a crime to 9-1-1 the language you use makes a difference! The Seattle Police Department distinguishes between two types of burglary- residential and non-residential. Residential burglary refers to the theft occurring in a dwelling, other than a vehicle (such as a private home or apartment) and non-residential burglary refers to the theft occurring in a commercial or non-residential building (such as a grocery store or clothing store).
How can we prevent burglary? Specifically, to out-buildings (such as sheds and garages)?
-All exterior doors should be strong enough to withstand force and should be secured with a deadbolt lock that has a minimum one-inch throw
-Try not to leave valuables (such as packages, electronics or cash) in plain sight through windows or doors
-The main entrance door to a home/apartment should have a door wide-angle (180 degree) viewer/peephole
-Make the home/business appear as if there is someone there by leaving lights, music and/or televisions on
-Install lights to be specifically directed and focused on entry points and vulnerable areas
-Secure and lock all windows and doors when leaving the premises- even if you plan to return within a short amount of time!
-Do not leave a spare key out
-Secure and maintain yard, patios and outdoor spaces- making sure you trim back all concealing shrubbery
-Check to ensure all garages and sheds are consistently locked with a sturdy lock
-Take inventory lists and photos of belongings in sheds and garages to ensure you know if something is missing
-Check sheds and garages regularly in order to report a burglary as quickly as possible
Another very important prevention technique for residential property crime is getting to know your neighbors and starting a Block Watch. Block Watch is one of the most effective crime prevention tools. Block Watch brings residents and law enforcement together to improve safety and prevent crime. Safety improves when neighbors watch out for each other by reporting suspicious activity and in progress crimes to 9-1-1. Crime prevention occurs when the opportunity for crime is removed and neighbors work together towards a safer neighborhood. If you are interested in setting up a Block Watch for your area, have questions and/or would like to learn more about this program- please feel free to contact me.
Jennifer’s contact info, plus other resource links, are in the PDF version of her newsletter.
9:45 PM: If you’re wondering about the sirens – police are heading to join the search for a robbery suspect. We don’t have the location narrowed down yet but will update when we do.
9:47 PM: Update – police now say that what happened wasn’t a robbery, it was an interrupted car prowl. One possible suspect has been detained. The search starting point is 14th/Barton.
10:22 PM: Added a photo of the scene where police had a suspect in custody. He’s been taken to the precinct.
Two reader reports tonight:
STOLEN CAR: From Stephanie: “My mom’s car [blue 2005 Honda Element, above] was stolen early this morning from South Park. License AMA4815. Has front-end damage only; there are zip ties where the front bumper goes.” If you see it, call 911.
PAINT VANDALISM: Another car has been vandalized with random squiggles of paint. Here’s part of what was done to Crystal‘s car:
She says, “My car was tagged with yellow spray paint (Friday) on 35th Ave SW near othello. I saw the same yellow paint on the food bank building, the bus stop outside of Walgreens and another car parked on 35th near Walgreens.” It also resembles what Rose reported less than a week ago.
Connor hopes you can help find his stolen car, taken from 17th SW, nearest cross-street W. Marginal Way SW: “It’s a Red Subaru Outback Legacy (1998), with a small chip in the windshield on the driver’s side and a USA Swimming bumper sticker. The plate # is ABE0627.” If you see it, call 911.
7:24 PM: Criminal charges usually take a few days to prepare and file – but the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office worked fast in the case of the man arrested Thursday in connection with the south West Seattle break-ins. 26-year-old Keelan T. Malone was charged today and remains in the King County Jail, bail set at $500,000.
The charging documents aren’t yet available but the jail register lists the charge(s) as burglary/indecent liberties. We did receive the probable-cause documents from the prosecutor, which detail the incident in which a woman awakened to find the intruder crawling on the floor toward her bed, then getting onto it and proceeding to grope her. At one point, the document says, the victim’s disabled mother, who lives with her and the victim’s 9-month-old son, opened the door and asked if she was OK, and the attacker told her to say he was someone she knew. She pleaded with him to go away and subsequently offered him money, which he took and left. He left his phone behind, came back for it moments later, and that, the report says, was the last she saw of him until spotting him “in the neighborhood” yesterday. After being arrested and taken downtown for questioning, the report says, Malone denied involvement, but then acknowledged physical contact with the victim, and subsequently “began to tell (police) smaller details of the incident that clearly showed he was in the residence (that) night.”
That’s all we have pending the availability of the charging document. The probable-cause document lists a Judkins Park address as Malone’s “last-known address” and later says he is “homeless with no known ties to the community.” But a police source mentioned that the defendant is a former college-football player and an online search turns up a man with the same name, same birthdate, born in Seattle, having played at Villanova University in 2010, 2011, and 2012. No criminal record is showing for Malone in this state.
SATURDAY, 4:44 PM: The charging documents are now online. The only new information is confirmation that Malone is charged with two felonies – first-degree burglary with sexual motivation, and indecent liberties. Both are in connection with the same incident. (This doesn’t mean he won’t/can’t be charged with any of the others.) He is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment – to enter an initial plea – on July 12th.
Three reader reports:
CAR BREAK-IN INSIDE GARAGE: From Parvoneh:
My boyfriend’s car was broken into last night in the Whittaker Apartments garage (Fauntleroy and Edmunds). They got into his trunk where he kept his camping and fishing equipment.
They stole his entire duffle bag full of stuff including fishing gear & hiking equipment.
Although I’m sure whoever took it will find a use for them, on the off chance someone finds a large Coleman duffle or Nike backpack, please let us know we would love to recover whatever we can.
GARAGE BREAK-IN: From Samantha:
I wanted to let you know of a break-in/theft that occurred (in the 1700 block of) Harbor Ave SW Wednesday night. Our building has ground floor storage units that are located in our secure parking area (surrounding walls/fence is at least 7′). Someone broke into our unit, our neighbor’s adjoining unit to our right, and cut through the wall in our unit to access the unit on our left. Despite only taking a few items from us, they must have spent a large amount of time rummaging through everything, as all of our boxes were pulled out and unpacked, and surprisingly roughly re-packed..
This felt really pre-meditated or planned, given the fact that a saw or similar instrument was used to cut through the demising wall (studs and everything). Additionally, the items stolen from our unit (were) a set of men’s golf clubs and tennis racket, but (they) left numerous other expensive items (skis, winter sports equipment, etc.).
CAR PROWL: From Mary:
Both my partner’s car as well as my car’s windows were smashed and car was rummaged through. We’re on 38th Avenue – just wanted everyone to be on the lookout!
We have a followup question out to ask where on 38th.
Three more reports to share before night’s end:
ANOTHER OCCUPIED BREAK-IN: Just before getting word of the arrests in the 11th/12th/13th SW burglaries, we were looking into another “occupied burglary,” early today in the 9000 block of 16th SW. But this wasn’t related, police told us – they believe the intruder was “looking for shelter,” entering a house that had a prior incarnation involving drugs, and his description was different – “unknown race,” 5’10”, slender. No arrest reported.
POSSIBLE BURGLARY ATTEMPTS: Anonymous reader report:
Location: 12th Ave SW between SW Holden St. and SW Kenyon St. (7700 block of 12th Ave SW)
I awoke at 5 am this morning and opened my shades. An hour or so later, I looked out my kitchen window and a screen was leaning against my garage door that hadn’t been there earlier. I went to my next-door neighbors and saw that the screen had been removed from one of their windows. I spoke with my neighbor and scary thing is that they were home during this attempt. It sounds like their dog barking may have scared the suspect off.
PACKAGE TAKEN: This reader report includes a screenshot from a brief video clip showing someone taking a package from outside an apartment at West Ridge Park on Delridge south of Holden:
The package contained work boots.
10:09 PM: Police have blocked off an area just south of the Southwest Precinct/Home Depot vicinity because of a standoff with a man who is reported to be armed with a gun and machete, at a building on 24th SW. No injuries reported but you will want to avoid the area. We’re monitoring.
10:30 PM: Per radio, police have called in negotiators and SWAT and continue trying to get the man to surrender.
10:32 PM: And he’s now in custody. No injuries reported.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: This incident is now summarized on SPD Blotter. The rifle seen with the suspect, who is 33 years old, turned out to be a BB gun.
2:54 PM: Thanks for the tips: Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Strand confirms that police have “a suspect in custody for the Highland Park burglaries/assaults. All of the information at this point is lining up and looks like we have the right guy.” The break-ins happened on 11th SW, 12th SW, and 13th SW a short distance north of SW Roxbury in the early-morning hours of June 17th and 19th. The suspect is still being questioned and has not yet been booked into jail.
3:08 PM: A bit more information – police say “the victim in one of the break-ins recognized the suspect on the street and called 911. Officers took the person into custody and turned them over to detectives. Detectives have not yet linked the suspect to all of the cases, but continue to investigate.”
Not far from WSB HQ, neighbors were awakened by the sound of metal hitting metal, then a car alarm blaring – after a hit-run driver damaged that car parked on SW Thistle west of 42nd SW and took off. Police were called. The car was described as a silver Dodge Challenger and the damaged car’s owner tells us police might already have found it nearby. But they’re still interested in information – case # 2018-235713.
(UPDATED 2:15 PM with date that new noise-enforcement ordinance was signed)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
No arrest yet in the south West Seattle break-ins in which residents came face to face with intruders, but they were a major topic at last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting at the Southwest Precinct.
CAPTAIN’S UPDATE: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis reminded the 20+ attendees that “watching out for each other” is the most important thing they can do. Property crime is still the prevalent type in West Seattle right now. He said it doesn’t generally ease until they “arrest a lot of people” and then “appeal to prosecutors and judges” to deal harshly with the repeat offenders.
Sheds and outbuildings were the big targets for burglars until recently, when the “anomaly” series of occupied-home burglaries happened (our most-recent coverage is here and here) on 11th SW, 12th SW, 13th SW along several blocks just north of Roxbury between June 17th and 19th.
Be on the lookout for Scott‘s motorcycle, stolen from the 4200 block of 42nd SW:
The last time I saw it was around 8 pm last night and noticed it missing this morning around 630 am. It’s an carbon fiber (black) Yamaha R1. Hoping to recover in one piece. Incident # 2018-234490.
Plate 1F4988. Call 911 if you see it.
One reader report tonight, from Mark in Seaview:
FYI, a prowler hit my car last night and dug through all pockets and glove boxes. Most likely looking for cash. Nothing taken except a baseball cap. 48th Ave SW between Juneau and Findlay.
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