West Seattle, Washington
30 Wednesday
The state Attorney General’s office announced this afternoon that the owner of West Seattle’s Tacos Guaymas restaurant and others is charged with theft for allegedly not paying $5.6 million in sales tax. 57-year-old Salvador Sahagun of Bothell is accused of doing this by illegally using “sales-suppression software” for cash transactions. We looked up the court documents to get West Seattle specifics, but first, here’s the AG’s news release:
Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed charges against the owner of Tacos Guaymas restaurants for allegedly using “sales suppression software” for cash transactions, pocketing more than $5.6 million in sales tax.
This is the largest “sales suppression software” in Washington state history –– and potentially the largest in the country.
Salvador Sahagun, owner of several Tacos Guaymas restaurants in King and Snohomish counties, is charged in King and Snohomish County Superior Courts with a total of six counts of first-degree theft and three counts of possessing and using sales suppression software, which is illegal in Washington state. In addition to a potential prison sentence, the defendant faces up to $150,000 in penalties and could be liable for up to $5 million in restitution to the state.
“When businesses pocket sales tax, they are stealing from Washington taxpayers,” said Ferguson. “That money should be funding our schools and parks, not deceptive businesses.”
Salvador Sahagun operated six Tacos Guaymas locations in West Seattle, Broadway, Greenlake, Fremont, Lynnwood and Marysville. During an audit, an auditor with the Washington State Department of Revenue found that point-of-sale records from these restaurants did not match with tax returns submitted by Sahagun. Additionally, the auditor found that the majority of sales receipts were missing from Sahagun’s point-of-sale system.
Run on a point-of-sale computer or cash register, sales suppression software surreptitiously deletes or underreports cash transactions. The software then re-balances the company financial records to show a lower sales figure, reducing the business’ sales tax obligation. The retailer pockets the difference between what the patron paid, including the full sales tax, and what the software reports. These unscrupulous retailers often keep “two sets of books.”
Suspecting that Sahagun was using sales suppression software, Department of Revenue employees visited the seven restaurants on several occasions and paid cash for their meals. The auditor then compared the employees’ receipts with the receipts on the point-of-sale system to determine whether the transactions existed and the amounts matched. The auditor found that three of the restaurants were using sales suppression software to delete or underreport cash transactions.
The auditor determined that Sahagun owed thousands of dollars in sales tax at each location, ranging from $43,339 to $2,197,460. In total, the auditor determined that the owner owed $5,615,497 to the state.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
An arraignment in the case is expected March 21 in both King and Snohomish County Superior Courts.
In 2013, Washington passed a law making it a class C felony for anyone to “sell, purchase, install, transfer, manufacture, create, design, update, repair, use, possess, or otherwise make available” software or hardware that deletes transactions.
In February 2016, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office filed the first “sales suppression software” case in the country. In that case, the owner of Bellevue restaurant Facing East used sales suppression software to pocket nearly $395,000 in sales tax. The owner pleaded guilty, paying $300,000 in restitution to the state and $600 in penalties and fees.
After receiving the news release, we looked up the documents on file in the King County Superior Court online system.
Sahagun is accused of breaking the law between the start of 2012 and the end of 2016. One count of first-degree theft specifically names the West Seattle restaurant; the second count names the restaurants on Capitol Hill and in Green Lake and Fremont. (We don’t have the Snohomish County filings.) Two counts of use of “sales-suppression software” are filed in KC Superior Court, one specifically naming the West Seattle restaurant, the other naming Fremont.
The probable-cause document explains that “sales-suppression software” runs on cash transactions, not credit. It says the undercover visits by state Department of Revenue employees included five at the West Seattle restaurant between December 16, 2015, and December 29, 2015, and 30 visits to other locations. Of the $5,615,497 that Sahagun allegedly owes to the state as unpaid taxes, the court documents say $178,575 is from West Seattle. The auditor also reported determining that Sahagun “personally runs each of these restaurants,” and each day “gathers the cash and reviews the prior day’s sales.” No one else is named in the court document and there is no allegation that anyone else in the company was complicit. Since the AG’s news release used past tense, we checked city and state records to verify that Sahagun is still the restaurants’ owner.
(UPDATED 11:28 AM with more info from SPD)
3:34 AM: SPD and SFD are investigating that car fire, reported about an hour ago in the Southwest Athletic Complex area. In radio discussion, the car was described as having been found fully engulfed in flames – as shown in the photo tweeted by Pat – with no one inside and no one around.
11:29 AM: SPD confirms that its arson detectives are handling the investigation. The car was a 1996 Toyota Corolla – not reported as stolen, in case you wondered (we did). But given the circumstances, it was impounded after the fire was out.
ADDED TUESDAY: In a West Seattle crime discussion at the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith mentioned that investigators believe an accelerant was used in this fire.
(UPDATED 11:23 AM with more info from SPD)
3:25 AM: The High Point incident wasn’t the only confirmed gunfire in West Seattle on Wednesday night – about an hour earlier, someone shot at this car at 23rd SW and SW Andover on Pigeon Point. Its owner posted in the WSB Forums and shared the photo by request. “Looks like three rounds went through; two through the window and another through the hatch under the right of the Legacy tag,” he reported. Other cars reportedly were hit too. We’ll also be seeking followup information on this later in the morning.
11:23 AM: The full report isn’t yet available but SPD media-relations Det. Mark Jamieson confirms that three cars were damaged, the Subaru (in the photo) most seriously. “No known suspect description,” he adds. So far there is no indication of any link to the evening’s other gunfire event.
8:57 PM: Thanks for the tips – police are investigating what, according to scanner traffic, is confirmed gunfire in High Point; they have found shell casings. We’re off to find out more.
9:09 PM: Police are on Lanham Place SW, just north of SW Graham, investigating, but not commenting.
10 PM: Police are still there, trying to make contact with someone possibly connected to the incident, and they will be blocking off streets nearby to keep people away until this is resolved.
10:35 PM: Not resolved yet. Meantime, we got a phone call from a neighbor who said she wanted to publicly thank police for their rapid response when she called after hearing the gunfire.
11:08 PM: Officers are still working strategically and deliberately to resolve the standoff.
MIDNIGHT: Standoff continues. We’re monitoring for the duration.
1:08 AM: Standoff continues.
2:13 AM: Five and a half hours now since the original call.
3:01 AM: As best we can tell from monitoring radio, this is wrapping up – an ambulance has been brought in to transport the person police had been working to take into custody. We’ll seek the official report for followup information later this morning.
ADDED 10:53 AM: That followup info just arrived via SPD Blotter:
A 26-year-old man is in custody and several guns have been recovered following an extended call Wednesday night into Thursday morning in the High Point neighborhood in West Seattle.
On March 7th, just before 9:00 pm, officers responded to several reports of shots fired in the 6000 block of Lanham Place Southwest. Officers located bullet damage to a parked vehicle in front of an apartment building. Additionally, it appeared that several items had been thrown from a third-floor apartment onto the ground below. As officers were containing the building, someone threw two handguns out of the window. Officers attempted to make contact with the occupants but to little avail. Officers believed the male suspect inside the apartment was in crisis.
After a prolonged standoff, officers obtained a search warrant for the apartment. With the assistance of SWAT, Gang Unit detectives, and K9, officers made entry into the apartment where the 26-year-old suspect was arrested without incident. Inside the apartment, several additional handgun magazines and ammunition was located and collected for evidence. One of the handguns that was tossed out the window was reported as stolen, while the other had been reported as missing.
The suspect, a convicted felon, was booked into the King County Jail for weapons violation. Detectives will handle the follow-up investigation.
We’ll be checking on the suspect’s background and will add more when we have i.
In Crime Watch tonight:
DOUBLE-MURDER SUSPECT CHARGED: We reported Saturday night on the arrest of 26-year-old Merle Buchanan, more than a month after he was identified as the suspect in the January 6th deadly double shooting in downtown White Center.
(White Center Now/WSB photo, January 6th)
Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Buchanan with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree unlawful firearm possession. Charging documents say the victims, Paul Tapia and Jose Garcia, were co-workers who arrived together at the Taradise Café just after midnight. Buchanan, a White Center resident, is described as a semi-regular who had been there about an hour by then. Surveillance video showed him talking with Tapia outside the bar, by his car, with Garcia nearby, and then showed the shooting around 1 am. The charging documents do not suggest a motive. They do say Buchanan was identified via a trail that started with a retail receipt found at the scene. He remains in jail in lieu of $1.1 million bail, including $100,000 related to a domestic-violence protection order violation charge involving an incident with a former girlfriend hours before the shootings.
Also in Crime Watch, two reader reports:
BIKES STOLEN FROM GARAGE: Leah reports: “Last night, the City Watch apartment underground parking garage was vandalized and several bikes were stolen, including my women’s Specialized and my partner’s Huffy mountain bike. The person cut through the fence, and cut bike locks.” The building is in The Junction, at 4744 41st SW. We’ve asked for the police-report number and will add it when we get it.
STOLEN SILVER TRAVEL TRAILER: Posted in the WSB Forums by MorningStar, a “1950 Silver Streak Clipper 22’ Aluminum travel trailer, attached to a white Ford van” was stolen from 21st SW on Puget Ridge February 25th or 26th. This is an Airstream prototype, MS explains, so should be recognizable, and had plastic over the windows because it was undergoing renovation. Plate TLE1941. Call 911 if you see it.
Something for Crime Watch? E-mail ed****@*************og.com – or, if it’s happening now, once you’ve called 911, text/call us at 206-293-6302, any time.
6:10 PM: If you are heading to the east end of the Roxbury corridor, be forewarned that traffic is being diverted off Olson because of a crash investigation. Eastbound is going onto 4th; westbound, onto Myers Way. The crash was more than 2 hours ago and didn’t sound huge at the time, but one person was seriously hurt and the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad was called out.
7:54 PM: SDOT promises a Twitter update when the scene’s clear. We’re monitoring (via scanner too) but if you see that it’s cleared and we haven’t updated yet, please let us know – thank you!
9:11 PM: Still closed.
9:52 PM: Now open again, per SPD via SDOT.
ADDED MONDAY 10:51 AM: We followed up today with SFD and SPD. SFD said a 45-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. And SPD has just posted this:
Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) were called out Sunday afternoon to investigate a serious injury vehicular assault hit and run incident in West Seattle.
On Sunday, March 4th, at about 3:30 pm, a Nissan Pathfinder, occupied by a 54-year-old male driver and a 45-year-old female passenger, was traveling westbound in the 9400 block of Olson Place Southwest. At about the same time, a utility van towing a large trailer was traveling eastbound on Olson Place Southwest. The Nissan crossed over the center line and collided with the utility van. The collision caused the Nissan to spin around and face eastbound. The driver of the van was not injured. The driver of the Nissan then drove approximately a quarter of a mile away from the scene of the collision, finally stopping on 1st Avenue South, just west of the Highway 509 on-ramp.
The female passenger in the Nissan was seriously injured and transported to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) via Seattle Fire medics. The male driver of the Nissan was also transported to HMC, and evaluated at the hospital by a Drug-Recognition Expert officer and it was determined that he was impaired. After the driver was treated at HMC, he was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of vehicular assault. The female passenger remains in the hospital. TCIS detectives will continue to handle the follow-up investigation.
8:39 PM: Our routine check of the King County Jail roster tonight shows the current list of inmates includes Merle Buchanan, who’s been wanted for weeks in connection with the double murder in White Center two months ago. The King County Sheriff’s Office announced on January 25th that they were looking for him, almost three weeks after the shooting deaths. He was booked on Friday afternoon, according to the jail register, with bail set at $1.1 million – including $100,000 for a domestic-violence-related warrant. Court records show he is not yet charged in the shooting deaths.
11:18 PM: We asked KCSO’s public-information officer Sgt. Ryan Abbott for more details. He says Buchanan turned himself in to Seattle Police. He is expecting more information on Monday, which is also when we’ll be checking with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to follow the case through the courts.
1:39 PM FRIDAY: From Kami:
My husband’s car was stolen yesterday morning from right in front of our house on 38th Avenue SW & SW Andover Street in West Seattle. 2007 black Audi A4 Quattro. There is a dent in the front right bumper.
Call 911 if you see it.
MONDAY UPDATE: Kami says it was found in Shoreline.
Updates on two cases that aren’t related but coincidentally both involved suspects arrested outside local 7-11s, with sizable-enough police responses that readers texted us. First, the man arrested Tuesday outside the Highland Park 7-11:
He is 23-year-old Tylor P. Saeteurn, a resident of Pacific, now charged with two counts of attempted residential burglary. One relates to the incident that preceded his arrest, after police were called by a neighbor reporting a burglary attempt at a house in the 1200 block of SW Othello. The other is related to a break-in on Monday in which he and another person are accused of trying to break into a house in the 10100 block of Rainier Avenue South. The residents were home at the time, and one of them chased the would-be burglars, catching the unnamed second suspect, who then allegedly bit the victim’s finger. Charging documents say that house had security video that recorded the burglars and the white Escalade in which Saeteurn was stopped on Tuesday. Prosecutors also say he told police he commits burglary to fuel his drug habit and that he had used meth and heroin both days. Saeteurn currently is awaiting trial on a charge of possessing a stolen vehicle and has a criminal history including two domestic-violence cases. He remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail – $50,000 in this case, $10,000 for a warrant because he had skipped a hearing in the stolen-vehicle case.
Second, the case of the man arrested by Bellevue Police (including SWAT officers) last Friday night, outside the California/Charlestown 7-11:
He is 28-year-old Nicholas R. Six, who is listed on court documents as having an address in South Admiral. He is charged with robbery and stolen-property trafficking in connection with a robbery at an apartment in Bellevue on January 14th. The charging documents say that his girlfriend, who is also charged, set up the victim by going to his apartment on the pretense of prostitution, and then texted two accomplices, allegedly including Six. Two men, both masked, one with a gun, then broke in and with the girlfriend robbed the victim of about $3,000 in cash and valuables. The court documents say investigators identified Six through a trail that included social-media messages, cell-phone records, and video involving the pawning of one of the stolen items, a gold necklace, at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction, as well as a jailhouse phone call made by the girlfriend after she was arrested on unrelated warrants. Court documents say Sixs criminal history includes DUI, assault, theft, and drugs, and that he “has a substance abuse problem.” He remains jailed in lieu of $225,000 bail.
Want to learn the basics of deterring criminals from targeting your residence or business? The slide deck embedded above (or in PDF here) shows the highlights from Southwest Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner‘s presentation at last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting.
As always, the meeting at the precinct was led by WSBWCN founders Karen Berge and Deborah Greer. Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis started with a briefing, saying property crime was front and center as always.
Thanks for the tips about a police search in Morgan Junction. We went down to find out what was going on; police say they’re searching after a report of an attempted burglary at an apartment building on 42nd SW just north of Fauntleroy Way SW. They brought in a K-9 team, but no luck finding a trail. No other details so far.
11:31 AM: Thanks for the tips about police activity outside the Highland Park 7-11. That helped us zero in on the source of some scanner traffic about an arrest – and now we’ve just obtained more information from SPD media-relations Det. Mark Jamieson (officers at the scene declined comment). He says the white Escalade in the photo was suspected in connection with a West Seattle burglary this morning and a non-West Seattle burglary yesterday (in South Precinct jurisdiction); an officer spotted it, called for backup, and a “felony stop” (which usually means guns drawn) was made in the 7-11 parking lot. They arrested a suspect and impounded the vehicle, pending a search warrant. More details are expected to be made public a bit later, police tell us, so look for another update.
ADDED 1:36 PM: SPD Blotter‘s report notes that an “observant neighbor” is to thank:
A neighbor called 911 Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. after she spotted a man attempting to break into a home in the 1200 block of SW Othello Street. The witness continued to update dispatchers as officers were responding to the home and described a white Cadillac Escalade driving away from the home.
The King County Sheriff’s Guardian One helicopter was in the area and spotted the SUV leaving the neighborhood. The pilot directed officers to the vehicle in the 1600 block of Southwest Holden Street. Seattle police officers took the 23-year-old into custody and have turned him over to burglary detectives. Detectives believe the suspect may be responsible for an additional burglary in the area this week. Detectives will book the suspect into King County Jail for investigation of burglary.
ADDED 2:58 PM: According to a separate online update from the South Precinct’s commander, the non-West Seattle burglary yesterday was in the 10100 block of Rainier Ave S. The victims, who were home, provided police with a plate number, so that’s how police knew what/who they were looking for.
Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
PAINTBALLS SHOT AT CARS: We’ve heard from two people so far tonight whose cars were hit by paintballs in West Seattle – one in the Triangle area, one in Westwood. Here’s one of the photos.
Anything fired/thrown/etc. at a moving vehicle (or person walking, riding a bike, etc.) has the potential not only to do damage, but also to startle the driver/rider/walker into swerving or falling, so it’s not a harmless prank, and if it happens/happened to you, report it to police. (Maybe just a coincidence, but as we wrote this, we heard a dispatch about something similar in Pioneer Square.)
7-11 ARREST FOLLOWUP: As promised, we followed up today on the Friday night arrest by Bellevue Police at the California/Charlestown 7-11.
BPD spokesperson Officer Seth Tyler tells WSB that they arrested a 28-year-old man wanted in connection with a robbery case. Their arrest team included SWAT officers because the robbery had involved a knife and the suspect, Tyler said, had a history of eluding. He remains in jail tonight in lieu of $225,000 bail.
SUSPICIOUS SIGHTINGS: Last April, we covered the case of a burglary suspect and stolen car that turned up in a dead-end alley in North Admiral between the 2100 block of California and 44th. Neighbors in that same alley say they have had four suspicious vehicle/people sightings in the past week in their alley and wanted to put the area on alert; they have contacted police. Different vehicles each time.
CRIME PREVENTION: Another reminder, 6:30 pm tomorrow at the Southwest Precinct, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network will hear about Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design from the precincts Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner – all welcome.
ORIGINAL REPORT, SUNDAY AFTERNOON: The photo and report are from Michelle:
Our 2003 Saab (silver/license plate 147UJZ) was stolen from our driveway on Friday morning. We live on the 3400 block of 38th Avenue SW. My husband was headed to the pool and decided to warm it up for a few minutes and went back inside to get the rest of his things. Big mistake! It was at least a two-person job. My neighbor’s camera shows a car waiting in front of their house until the Saab was stolen.
We want to warn others to be more careful than we were. We never imagined someone would come onto our driveway at 5:45 a.m. and steal our car. Lesson learned.
If you see the car, call 911.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Michelle says the car was found in Auburn last night.
From Alex:
Just wanted to get the word out that there was a car prowler working on 28th and SW Nevada last night – my car was broken into in my driveway. The only major item that was taken was a watch (stainless steel with a white face and leather band) – a gift given to me approx. 15 years ago and has a lot of sentimental value. If people could keep an eye out (especially watch repair shops, as it was in my car because I needed to get it repaired) I would greatly appreciate it. I’m happy to provide a reward to anyone who finds or returns it.
The initial police tracking-report number is 2018-901799.
From Chris, in the 7300 block of 36th SW:
Just FYI we had our work trailer broken into last night at 2 am. Our neighbor scared them away mid-breakin (thankfully) but they managed to get away with some expensive festools (similar to the ones stolen the other night from that truck break-in on 36th and Morgan). Trailer was in the driveway, fully locked with specialty high-end locks, but they literally broke through the door.
We asked Chris if there are any particular items for people to be on the lookout for – “Festool 75 track saw, a Carvex jigsaw, and a Festool plunge router.”
Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
CALIFORNIA/CHARLESTOWN ARREST(S): Thanks for the tips about police at the California/Charlestown 7-11 gas pumps, making at least one arrest, guns drawn, a little while ago. When we got there, we found out they’re Bellevue Police – but they refused to comment. We saw one person in handcuffs; tipsters said they saw two. We’ll follow up.
Next, two reader reports, both about stolen music-related equipment:
KARAOKE HOST’S EQUIPMENT STOLEN: Christopher Mychael is a legendary name in local karaoke – and tonight fans and friends are trying to help him recover from a theft. His SUV was broken into in the 6000 block of Lanham Place in High Point on Valentine’s Day morning. Stolen items include:
(3) computers (1 HP Desktop, 1 15″ Lenovo laptop, 1 17″ Toshiba laptop)
(3) external drives.
(2) Mixers. (Pwrd, 22 Ch. Beringer) (16 ch. Yamaha).
(2) 15″ pwrd JBL speakers
(4) Wireless Shure SM58 mics, (1) Shure 55 mic, (1) headset mic, plus all cables and backup cables and couplers and mic stand
Word of the theft was forwarded by another local karaoke host, “Karaoke Kelli,” who says, “During his career he’s KJ’d at all the local favorite bars, helped raise thousands of dollars for fundraisers around the community and been a safe place for people of all walks of life to sing their heart out.” So she and friends have a gear-replacemen fund going via a GoFundMe account.
BAND MEMBER’S EQUIPMENT STOLEN: Ryan came home to Highland Park after a Tractor Tavern gig with his band headwaves – and his locked van and trailer were stolen. He found the van and trailer along Myers Way, with all the equipment cleaned out:
2003 – Fender Stratocaster WHSC – SN: Z2145173, it has a pressure crack on the tail of the body
1965 – Silvertone Silhouette w/ tremolo bar
Nord – Stage 2
Pedal Board – Details Below
Ernie Ball – Volume Pedal
Dunlop – Wah Pedal
MusicomLab EFX MK IV – Analog Pedal Switcher
Strymon TimeLive – Delay Pedal
TC Electronic – Polytune Pedal
MXR Il Torino Overdrive
Rockett Pedals Archer Boost Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal
EarthQuaker Devices Organizer V2 Polyphonic Organ Emulator Pedal
Death By Audio – Apocalypse Pedal
Hotone Skyline Series VERB Digital Reverb Pedal
Solid Gold FX – Tremolo
Fulltone GT-500
Voodoo Labs – Mondo Power Supply
Pedal Train Pro w/ hard shell case
Akai Advanced 61
Novation Launchkey 61
Pedal Train Case for Keyboards
Ampeg – SVT-212AV
Two Tier Keyboard Stand
Single tier Keyboard Stand
25 Key Novation Launchport – Midi Keyboard
Roland Trigger Pad – SPD-S
Roland Drum Triggers
SPD incident number is 2018-050966.
BICYCLE THIEF PLEADS: You might remember the case of 25-year-old Casey Carlstedt, who was charged in a bicycle theft case that played out here in late 2016. Video showed him stealing Doug’s bicycle in North Delridge; a reader spotted the bicycle; another reader identified Carlstedt (backstory links are in this WSB story). We had checked in on the case from time to time, but it’s been a while, and Doug let us know this week that Carlstedt had struck a plea bargain. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted second-degree theft, as well as a reduced charge from a drug case in December 2016, and when sentenced on March 2nd, the recommendation will be credit for time served. Records show Carlstedt spent six months in jail last year, from early March through early September, in connection with multiple misdemeanor cases.
Four items in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
MORGAN JUNCTION ARREST: Several people asked about an arrest near West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) on Wednesday afternoon. We finally got information on the case today – it had nothing to do with the store. It started with a 911 call just before 1 pm Wednesday about a man who was reported to be looking into cars near California/Mills and had allegedly stolen a helmet from under the cover on a motorcycle. Police say a resident pursued the suspect and after officers arrived, the suspect tried to run. Their report says he dropped a black garbage bag, a backpack, and two cell phones while trying to get away, and that after he was in custody, he was found in possession of methamphetamine. The trash bag, meantime, was found to contain “various mail addressed to various persons, and an Amazon package.” And the police report lists debit cards and ID that wasn’t in the suspect’s name, as well as a pellet gun, burglary tools, and shaved keys. The 25-year-old Puget Ridge man was booked into jail for investigation of stolen property and drug possession. Tonight, he got out of jail, after a judge ruled he could be released on personal recognizance. We’ll keep watching to see if and when he is charged; online files show he has a property-crime record.
ALSO OUT OF JAIL … the 30-year-old man arrested for investigation of vehicular assault, which encompasses possible DUI, after the North Delridge collision that seriously injured a woman on Monday by Delridge Skatepark.
A commenter identifying herself as the 36-year-old victim’s aunt posted an update saying she is still in the ICU; also commenting, a detective who is asking for any witnesses to the incident to please come forward – call Det. Parker at 206-233-0059, and refer to incident #2018-062040.
CAR-PROWL LOOT TO LOOK FOR: Posting in the WSB Forums this afternoon, a reader who says her son’s hockey gear was stolen in a car prowl last night near 36th/Trenton.
CAMERA THIEF: This video from a security camera shows the person who was in the process of stealing it:
The sender says it happened last Friday morning just after 5 am in the 5000 block of 49th SW:
The guy came onto our front porch and stole our Arlo camera. He then got into a dark colored Subaru Forester (appears to have tinted windows) and went into our alley and stole two of our neighbors’ cameras who is behind us across the alley. Another neighbor was walking her dog and saw the guy get into a Subaru Forester right about the same time this happened. We were not able to get a license plate number. He had on a North Face rain jacket with the hood over his head and dark sunglasses. Both my neighbor and I have filed reports with the police and I gave them a copy of the video.
PREVENTING CRIME: Early mention that next Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting will feature a presentation on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) – all welcome.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
With the scheduled guest out sick, this month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting was all about questions and concerns brought by those in attendance – from tagging to harassment to park problems.
First, the regular update from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis, who as usual lauded community members for “seeing something and saying something.” Property crime remains West Seattle’s biggest problem – “always has been” – right now, all categories are spiking, and he says police suspect that’s because some “prolific offenders” are out of jail again. He vowed “to get back out there and … round them all up,” noting that police circulate weekly, sometimes daily bulletins about particular suspects, “especially if they have warrants.” If they suspect they know where specific offenders are re-offending, they “saturate the area.”
Sometimes they can get “more time for these individuals” if they can be linked to multiple crimes. “That can be the difference between having a safe and sane six or seven months and a chaotic six or seve months.” He said he knows car prowls for example “are a pain in the butt” and once they get people arrested, they see what they can do to get them kept in custody. He mentions the value of letters from individuals about defendants facing sentencing, saying those letters can be “hell on wheels,” impressing judges.
Then he opened the floor to questions.
Cheryl hopes you will be on the lookout for her pickup truck, stolen in North Shorewood:
Blue Honda (corrected) Ridgeline truck. License #B34996Z. There arent many of these trucks around. This one has small dents in tailgate, right rear tail light broken but still works. Stolen from 26th Ave SW and SW 104th Feb 20th at 1 pm. They came up my driveway opened the door and stole all the keys on the hook and took the truck. If anyone sees this truck parked anywhere or on the road, please call 911.
The theft happened south of the city/county line, so it’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case, but wherever you see it, they’ll be able to pull up the info.
Four reports/updates in West Seattle Crime Watch:
POLICE AT WESTWOOD VILLAGE: A few people asked us about a big response on the east side of the center earlier this afternoon. Police responded after a man called 911 to report that someone he didn’t know showed a gun and threatened him, in or near the WWV QFC. They eventually took a suspect into custody but were continuing to search for the gun. No injuries, no shots fired.
Hours earlier, not far away …
CONFIRMED GUNFIRE: If you thought you heard gunshots in the Westwood area late last night – you did.
We went to the area after hearing a snippet of scanner traffic mentioning “shell casings found at 26th/Trenton”; when we took the quick camera photo you see above, police were apparently finishing their search, because by the time we circled around to go into the lot and park, they had left. Today, we confirmed with SPD media relations that it originated as a report of gunfire heard; no injuries, no damage, shell casings found in the street and collected as evidence.
FOLLOWUP – BURGLARY SUSPECT CHARGED: Last week, police reported arresting a 36-year-old man found inside a vacant West Seattle house “staged for sale” at 36th SW/SW Morgan. They also reported finding a variety of car-prowl loot. We followed up on the person who was arrested and discovered that he had been arrested three other times since the start of the year but had not been charged in any of those cases. In this one, however, the suspect, 36-year-old Nicholas D. Watson, is now charged with one count of residential burglary and one count of second-degree vehicle prowling. Court documents confirm the house he was found in is the former longtime problem house that was sold last year and renovated, and say that the car-prowling incident happened February 11th in the 7000 block of 30th Place SW. They allege that Watson was found in the 36th SW house with a backpack full of items including some belonging to that car-prowl victim. He is reported to have told officers he tried to use 10 stolen cards to buy things but was unsuccessful. The police narrative in the court documents also says:
There were various other pieces of ID and credit cards belonging to people other than Watson that he admitted he took from various other car prowls in West Seattle. He could not remember specific car prowls and the names on the cards did not return to any Seattle Police reports. He stated he did not know them and knew he did not have permission to possess them.
The King County Jail Register shows Watson is still in custody.
Not far from where that burglary happened …
CAR PROWLERS: From Lindsey:
This was in the east alley at 37th Ave between Graham & Morgan. This happened in the early hours of this morning, 2/20, between 12:00 AM and 1:30 AM.
These two individuals walked up to my truck parked next to my detached garage, tried to open it, looked around, and left. They returned about an hour and a half later, forcefully broke into the truck camper, and stole a valuable Festool sander I use in my business as well as some miscellaneous small tools.
The victim says she already has received tips about the possible identity of one prowler from a neighborhood list. He has not been arrested or charged so far as we know, but if you have information, the police incident # is 18-063199.
REMINDER – CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TONIGHT: One more reminder that the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, which regularly includes Q-and-A time with local police as well as updates on local trends and incidents, is at 7 pm tonight at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – two reader reports, plus a reminder:
CR-V STOLEN FOR THE THIRD TIME: We’ve shown you Joe‘s 2001 red Honda CR-V twice before – it was stolen, spotted by a WSB reader, then stolen again the day it was picked up from the repair shop, found again, this time in the county. Now, Joe’s mom Linda e-mails to say it’s been taken for the third time in three weeks from outside his residence near 16th SW/SW Thistle. When last found, it was drivable, but with “trash strewn inside,” Linda says, including “a female’s ID card and a letter from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office addressed to a guy with a record.” Then on Saturday night, the car was stolen again. He has since purchased a used car and she’s given him a “Club” for that one. But if you see the red CR-V – call 911.
MUSICAL EQUIPMENT TAKEN IN CAR PROWL: From Clipper:
I would like to report that in the early hours of Sunday morning February 18th, I was victim of a car prowl. The back window of my van was broken and musical equipment stolen from the vehicle. The incident occurred near 48th Ave. SW and Andover. Items taken were:
-15 inch Bag End speaker Model S15-N, Serial # K10678. Purple colored exterior.
-Peavey 112M Wedge floor monitor speaker w/volume control
-2 black duffel bags with small items such as pedals, mike cords, speaker cables, stand lights, power cords, direct box and a SM58 Beta microphone.A police report was filed. If anyone has any info, the case number is 18-61429. Thanks!
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Concerns/questions for police? Want to hear about local crime trends firsthand? The monthly WSCPC meeting at the Southwest Precinct is tomorrow night (Tuesday, February 20th), 7 pm. Along with the community update and Q&A, there’s a special guest this month, SPD Bias Crimes Unit Detective Elizabeth Wareing. All welcome – the precinct is at 2300 SW Webster, and the meeting room is right off the public parking lot.
(WSB photo, February 7th)
The 16-year-old boy shot in South Park almost two weeks ago has died. While police have yet to publicly announce that it’s now a murder investigation, community advocates are getting the word out. And a candlelight vigil to remember him is planned at 6 pm tonight near the shooting scene by the Chevron station at 8819 14th Avenue South, same place where more than 100 gathered after a silent march two nights after the shooting. Community advocates also have set up an online fundraiser for the family of the young man to help with funeral costs and hospital bills. Meantime, police have not disclosed any additional details of the investigation, and no arrests have been reported.
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