West Seattle, Washington
30 Wednesday
Another grab-and-run theft tops West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight:
PURSE STOLEN AT SALON: From Sue:
Tonight at approximately 6:30 pm, a male ran into this salon @ 35th Avenue [6500 block] and stole my purse. He ran out and got away in a black car. I am hoping to … have neighbors be on the lookout for a brown over-the=shoulder purse. I am sure they tossed it somewhere in West Seattle. It had everything card, gift card, credit card, library card, ID I have. I know the $$ is gone and they have tried to use my cards. I am hoping the rest was nothing to them and some good Samaritan finds some of my stuff.
Police incident # is 2018-038121.
BURGLARY: A resident in the 4500 block of Delridge Way SW called us this afternoon because her dog was missing after a break-in. We quickly published a notice on the Lost/Found Pets page, and her dog was found relatively quickly, but we thought you’d want to know about the break-in too. No details.
PROWLER: This one’s short on details too but FYI for Junction-area residents, Stephanie sent the brief clip from her boyfriend’s security system:
She says the prowler was recorded around 9:30 pm last night.
PACKAGE TAKEN: From Luke in Shorewood, who says this happened at 3:22 pm Tuesday:
Luke is in the 2600 block of SW 112th, so this is a King County Sheriff’s Office case. He adds, “He actually drove by 5 minutes before the theft while he was casing the neighborhood. Luckily FedEx is smart enough to leave packages out of sight in the carport, so the thief didn’t see those packages. USPS not so smart.”
12:40 PM: Big police search under way in an industrial area in the south end of South Park right now after two people were shot in the 9200 block of 10th Avenue S. [map] According to radio communications, a suspect is believed to have fled in what’s described as a dark-colored Toyota Camry. Traffic is being blocked on some roads around the scene. Updates when we get them.
12:47 PM: According to radio communications, both victims are men, one in his 40s, one in his 20s, and both are being rushed to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medic units.
2:01 PM: We just talked with police at the scene. They believe one person shot both men, whose injuries are described as non-life-threatening. They don’t yet have a good description of the shooter but do hope to at least have more of a description of the getaway vehicle soon. No word on a motive, either; this is an industrial area in southwest South Park.
ADDED: Above is video of the briefing we covered at the scene, with SPD spokesperson Det. Patrick Michaud.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
ANOTHER COFFEE-SHOP THEFT: Al e-mailed today to say that “a young couple” grabbed his Nook device at 4 pm Saturday in the Junction Starbucks and “ran off.” He tried to chase them but couldn’t catch up. He filed a police report – if you have any information, it’s 2018-033043. (We just checked – the two 19-year-olds charged in a purse theft at the same Starbucks two weeks earlier are still in the King County Jail.)
ADMIRAL CAR PROWL: From Emily:
Someone broke into our car last night @ Hinds SW and 41st Ave SW. They were unsuccessful stealing the car but they did grab a bag that we had left on the back seat. I’d be grateful if you could ask the WSB readers to look out for the bag (gray duffel) or its contents (Garmont ski boots, SPL book “The Midnight Line,” and random clothes).
CAR PROWL: From Kari:
Just wanted to report that early Friday morning someone rummaged through and took the contents out of my glove box and placed them on the passenger seat. They stole a coin purse. I usually lock my car and must have forgotten that night. Make sure to lock your cars because after talking to other people in West Seattle, this seems to happen often. Near Charlestown and 50th.
Four reports in Crime Watch:
SUSPECTED CAR-THEFT ATTEMPT THWARTED: SPD Blotter featured a post today about a West Seattle case from the weekend:
Officers arrested two people Saturday morning after a man saw someone trying to steal his truck from his West Seattle home.
A witness in the 7500 block of 12th Avenue SW called 911 early Saturday morning to report that a man was inside of the caller’s vehicle. The caller went on to say it appeared the suspect was attempting to steal the truck. Officer Marc Sagmoen quickly arrived and found the suspect just 75 feet from the victim’s vehicle. Officer Sagmoen stopped the 28-year-old suspect and found he was carrying a pistol in his back pocket, 2.5 grams of heroin, and shaved keys used for stealing vehicles.
Additional officers contacted a second man who was waiting for the suspect to return in a nearby car. Officers took the 29-year-old into custody for various misdemeanor warrants.
STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Annalisa:
My husband’s bike was stolen Thursday (1/25) when our shed was broken into at our house in Highland Park. Can you please post the picture in case anyone on the blog has seen it? We reported the break-in to the police, and they suspect that the bike was used as a getaway and will probably be dumped. A number of power tools were also taken, but those are probably gone for good. The bike has sentimental value, and we would love to get it back.
FOUND BICYCLE: This photo was sent anonymously:
The bicycle was described only as having been found in Westwood and reported to police – so if it’s yours, contact them and see if you can make a match with the report you filed when it was stolen.
CAR WINDOW BROKEN: From Jeremy:
My vehicle’s rear window got smashed up in an attempted smash and grab. This happened (Sunday) morning at my townhouse, which is near Delridge and Kenyon. I had some personal property in it, but miraculously nothing got stolen.
Just wanted to put it out there so others can be on the lookout for any suspicious people or activities. If you park your vehicle outside, especially if close to or on major arterials, be sure to remove your belongings. If you see any suspicious activity in progress, be sure to call the police!
We start tonight’s Crime Watch with a followup:
STOLEN SUBARU LEGACY FOUND: An update from Liz, more than two weeks after we included her car-with-bike-inside theft on Crime Watch:
Our Subaru was found! It was parked in the neighborhood right next to the Taco Bell in White Center. Sadly, the bike was not in there. They also stole some tools, a first-aid kit, and two CD books with about 300 CDs in them. It was parked there for over a week, so somebody that lived in that neighborhood called it in.
Two new reader reports:
TRAILER FULL OF TOOLS STOLEN: From Peyton:
On Sunday, January 21st 2018, at about 6 PM, an unknown individual or individuals were caught on surveillance footage pulling into the back fenced off parking lot of La Mexicana/WestSide Baby in White Center. They then hooked up to my father Sean Sullivan’s 2004 Pace-American Cargo Trailer (Single Axel) with an orange, green, and white Ireland sticker on the back and proceeded to steal it:
Kept in this trailer, an extensive amount of Work tools and equipment that he has collected over the last 10 years as he worked to create his own company, SULLIVAN ELECTRIC LLC. The trailer was uninsured since it was used mainly for storing the larger tools and hardly ever moved …
-Trailer: Pace-american white 12ft cargo trailer single axel
-2 Bosch mac bit roto-hammer
-1 Dewalt roto-hammer
-1 Air compresser single tank
-1 brad nailer
-1 finish nailer
-1 Dewalt chop saw
-1 skill 77 worm drive circular saw
-brand new rigid vacuum
-Loose electrical wire
-1 Sawzall
-1 Milwaukee portaband band saw
-Misc hand tools & drills
-Bosch laser leveler
-misc electrical equip(boxes, fittings, conduit, etc)
If you have any information, you can reach Peyton at 425-312-4461 or Sean at 206-419-8884, or call 911.
PACKAGE TAKEN: Martyn shares this security video and reports:
Our Amazon package was stolen an hour after delivery in the Fairmount Springs Neighbourhood. Sharing to raise awareness for neighbors and highlighting the ineptitude of delivery drivers leaving packages in the middle of a doorstep when it could have easily been left to the side and out of view.
We start with two reader reports:
GAS-STATION PURSE THEFT: Mary Lou reports that someone stole her purse from her car while she was getting fuel at the (corrected location) 41st SW/Admiral Way service station. It happened in broad daylight – around 1:30 this afternoon. No surveillance video available (she asked).
PACKAGES TAKEN: Also in the Admiral area, Nate shares this security-camera video of packages being taken from his porch around quarter till 6 last night near 47th/Admiral. He says others in his neighborhood have reported thefts, too.
And from the SPD files:
ANOTHER HOLDUP: Here’s a street robbery we didn’t hear about until now – just found it while checking SPD online reports for the handful of days-later narratives posted each week. It happened around 1:20 am last Saturday (January 20th) in a parking lot near California SW/SW Edmunds. A man told police he was walking to his apartment after leaving a party when a masked man jumped out of a car, showed a gun, and demanded his phone and wallet. He threw them on the ground and the robber took them, along with his wristwatch, and got away in a white Honda Accord. After getting back to his apartment, the victim used a “find my iPhone” app to track his phone to a nightclub in SODO. Police found the white Honda Accord – which turned out to be stolen – there, but no suspect, and the phone was no longer trackable. The victim’s cards showed a purchase made at a 7-11 in the Rainier Valley area; police looked there too, and impounded the stolen car, while planning to pursue video evidence. No indication of arrests so far.
That’s Joe‘s red 2001 Honda CR-V. He just got it back from the shop last night after repairs following the theft earlier this month – reported here on January 3rd, with an update when a reader spotted it. Early today, it was stolen again, likely around 3:30 am. Same area as last time, 16th SW/SW Thistle [map]. Plate: AYU3617. Call 911 if you see it.
11:44 AM: Just published on our partner site White Center Now: The King County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 26-year-old Merle “Chucky” Buchanan, suspected in the January 6th double murder in downtown White Center, and shared these photos, saying he is “known to frequent” Seattle, Burien, and Renton:
Buchanan is described as 5’9” and 195 pounds. He is also being sought in connection with violating a domestic-violence-related court order. If you see him, call 911.
1:11 PM: We checked with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and they tell us Buchanan is not yet formally charged in the murders.
That’s Manuel‘s red 1993 Honda del Sol, personalized plates 1CARAJO, and it was stolen overnight from 47th SW and SW Othello. WSB readers have done a great job of finding stolen cars shown here recently, so keep watch for this one too, and call 911 if you see it.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the first time in three months, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network reconvened at the Southwest Precinct last night – and most of the meeting could be summarized as the multiple faces of the opioid crisis:
First, a crime update from local police, who say much of the area’s property crime is tied to drugs, and people trying to get money for them; second, an emotion-stirring presentation from people who have been caught up in the crisis, mostly through family members, some of whom have lost their lives to it.
The two-dozen-plus attendees, in around-the-room introductions, listed neighborhoods all around this area, from Beach Drive to Top Hat.
POLICE BRIEFING: First up, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis talked about property crime, still our area’s most pervasive crime problem.
Another stolen vehicle has been found, thanks to a WSB reader. Last Sunday night, we published Erica‘s report of a black Toyota 4Runner stolen in High Point; today, the reader spotted it in their neighborhood, between 40th and 41st near SW Edmunds. Police were called, and Erica confirms they got the vehicle back.
Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
BUILDING BURGLARY: From DS:
Wanted to make my neighbors aware that we’ve had further issues at our walk-up apartment building at 2420 54th PL SW. This morning I found that one of two basement storage rooms had been broken into and most of the latches to appx. a dozen individual storage units have been cut or pried open. I’m guessing the break in occurred last night or early this morning.
On January 1 of this year, my wife posted to the WSB that someone had cut a heavy cable bike lock and stolen her nice 29’er bike from three feet outside of our front door.
Our apartment complex is owned by Cornell & Associates; I’ve attempted to let our building manager and the company HQ know but haven’t heard back from either. It’s obvious that we have a security issue—I just wanted to let our neighbors know that they need to be careful.
ALSO ON ALKI: From Kelsey in the 3000 block of 61st SW:
On Sunday morning at 3 am a man attempted to break into my home while I was home. I want to make sure that my neighbors are aware of the situation and on the look out for suspicious activity.
The police came to my home right away and searched the area for the man that had opened both my front and back gate and attempted to enter the house while I was home. He ran when I came upstairs with my dog, but I was able to get a good description of him as he was across the street under a street lamp once I got to the window. He had stolen a package from my neighbor on the street behind me, and left the empty box on my property.
The police followed up with me last night in person to let me know that another officer was called out to Beach Drive early Monday morning because of a report of a man throwing bottles and rocks into the water. He fit the exact description that I had given, and was given a warning. He has had multiple run ins with these sorts of issues according to the officer.
The officer let me know that they may try and connect him with my incident, and to make sure to let my neighborhood know what is going on.
He is a man in his late 20s, early 30s, transient, white with dark hair and wears a dark firefighter jacket with a reflective stripe across the shoulders.
(Added) Police incident # is 2018-024988.
CAR PROWLER IN ADMIRAL: Just after 11 pm last night, Conrad reported a car prowler to the police, in the 45th SW/SW Stevens area – a “male in a dark black or green SUV with no tail lights and one brake light … driving around trying car doors with his window down. I saw him open one door to a neighbor’s car. Be alert and lock your car doors!”
POSSIBLY SCAMMED BY A SKIMMER: From Maggie, who has filed a police report:
I found my debit card number and pin to be stolen. I think it happened at the Shell gas station on the corner of Alaska and Fauntleroy on Thursday night. Someone tried to use it in Florida today and luckily fraud prevention picked it up. Tried to call the gas station to tell them but the number is disconnected. Wanted to warn other people so it doesn’t happen to them. Found out by having a $2.50 charge for “Atm inquiry out of network” charge on both my checking and savings account. No other place I shopped could have had this.
This crime has been on the rise nationwide, according to this online story that also includes tips on how to try to detect skimmers, though experts warn there’s no foolproof way.
(August 2017 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
A new development in the case of Ryan Cox, the 39-year-old repeat offender charged with stabbing a man in Gatewood last August: The results are in from the pretrial mental-health evaluation ordered last month for Cox, and court documents say he has been found incompetent to stand trial. As a result, a judge ordered him sent to Western State Hospital for up to 90 days of treatment to attempt to restore competency; at the end of that time; if he is found competent sooner, he’ll be sent back to the King County Jail, where he’s been since the August 8th attack.
Cox has been through this process (which is explained here) in at least one previous case, five years ago, when he was sent to Western State for an attempt at restoring competency when he faced hate-crime charges for a homophobia-motivated attack (WSB coverage here). As we reported seven months later, Cox subsequently was found to be competent, and pleaded guilty, which resulted in his first and so far only felony conviction. Prior to his August arrest, the last time he was charged with a crime was two years earlier, resulting in a misdemeanor trespassing conviction involving for Safeco Field after he was ordered to stay out. In the current case, he is charged with second-degree assault.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch items this afternoon, plus a reminder:
STOLEN CAR: From Jake:
Our silver 2013 Subaru Outback was stolen out of our driveway last night at the corner of Barton and Director st in the Fauntleroy neighborhood. Plate #BBY1565. It is our only vehicle and contained our car seats and garage door opener.
If you see it, call 911. Police report # is 2018-026262.
STREET ROBBERY FOLLOWUP: On Saturday night, we reported on a street robbery in Morgan Junction, at the northbound C Line stop on California north of Fauntleroy. At the time, we heard only that the victim’s phone had been taken; a friend who provided additional information said the victim’s wallet was taken too. We obtained the police-report narrative today, and it confirms that. The report says the two robbers demanded his phone and wallet – “no physical contact, no weapons seen” – and ran into the nearby parking lot (alongside Cal-Mor Circle). They were not found. The descriptions are close to the ones we published that night – “a white male, approximately 20-30 years old, 5’8″, wearing a gray hoodie with the hood up and covering his face, and red or plaid pajama type pants. The second suspect was described as a black male, 20-40 years old, approximately 6 ft tall, wearing an unknown colored golf style hat, (dark)-colored jacket, and blue jeans.” If you have any information, the police report # is 2018-024745.
REMINDER: Your next chance to hear, and ask, about crime trends in West Seattle is tomorrow night – 6:30 pm, WS Blockwatch Captains’ Network, at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). You don’t have to be a captain – or even part of a block watch – to attend. This month’s meeting – as previewed here – also includes a panel discussion of the opioid epidemic, from people whose lives have been directly touched by it.
Another stolen vehicle to watch for. The report is from Erica in High Point:
Our Toyota 4Runner was stolen last night.
SW Myrtle/30th Pl SW
License Plate: AVD5251
Make: Toyota
Model: 4Runner
Year: 2015
Color: Black/Black Interior
If you see it, call 911 – the police incident # is 2018-025186.
10:31 PM: Police are searching in Morgan Junction right now after another report of someone being robbed of their phone. According to preliminary information from scanner traffic, they’re looking for two suspects. No specifics on circumstances so far, but police were summoned to the west side of the 6400 block of California SW, and the suspects were last seen on the east side of the street. Police broadcast these descriptions: White man 20s-30s, about 5’8″, gray hoodie with picture/writing of some sort, red/plaid PJ-type pants; black man 30s-40s, 6′, dark jacket, golf hat, black jeans.
10:50 PM: A friend of the victim tells WSB the robbery happened at the northbound C Line bus stop – the victim then went across the street to contact police.
Justin sent that video, saying it’s from a break-in at his home at 1:31 am Friday, near Charlestown and 40th. If you recognize the person in the video, contact police and refer to incident # 2018-024462.
ADDED: Justin has since provided screengrabs – the one above is the clearest. We asked whether any particular stolen item should be watched for, but he says that so far, it appears not much was taken.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, starting with a reader report:
FAUNTLEE HILLS CAR PROWL: Kris e-mailed today to report a car prowl earlier this week:
Our car was parked at the corner of 40th Avenue SW and Director SW overnight on January 15. On January 16, I walked out to see the hatch and passenger door ajar. Sometime during the evening the car was prowled. Nothing of significant value was taken and the police were notified … In the past few days, I have recovered some of the items along Barton Avenue SW.
And from the many court cases we are continuing to check on, two updates:
WESTWOOD MURDER-CASE UPDATE: When last we mentioned the two defendants charged in last year’s murder of Edixon Velasquez in Westwood, they were set for trial relatively soon. According to court documents, they have since agreed to have the case pushed back a few months, and in court today, the readiness hearing for Anna Kasparova and Abel Linares was rescheduled for March 23rd, with trial tentatively set for April 25th.
SOUTH DELRIDGE ROBBER PLEADS GUILTY: A plea agreement this week for 22-year-old Aaron K. Knox, one of two men charged last summer with stealing a 58-year-old man’s bicycle at gunpoint in the 9200 block of Delridge Way SW. Knox has no criminal history but pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery; hr will be sentenced February 16th. Court documents say prosecutors will seek to have him sent to prison for three years and five months.
In West Seattle Crime Watch today – first, a reader report:
CAR PROWL: Dennis reports a car break-in overnight on the northeast corner of 8th SW/SW Cloverdale [map]: “Nothing of value in the car.”
Next, a followup:
(Photo tweeted Saturday night by @culinaryfaerie)
JUNCTION PURSE-SNATCHING FOLLOWUP: After reporting this in bits and pieces, we finally have the police report with full details of the circumstances in last Saturday night’s Junction “purse-snatching” incident. It says the victim was sitting in the Junction Starbucks with her laptop and purse on the table in front of her just before 6 pm when three people ran in, grabbed her purse off the table, and ran out with it. The first 911 call said two people including the victim chased after the purse-grabbers. As we reported, police found and arrested three suspects.
The two adult suspects are now charged so we’re identifying them: The police report says 19-year-old Alonso Roman was found about three blocks away, in the alley east of the 4500 block of 41st SW, with the victim’s purse. Police also found a felony arrest warrant for him in a residential-burglary case. In this case, he’s charged with two misdemeanors, theft and receiving stolen property. The other adult suspect, 19-year-old Delino Olebar, was found about a block further east, near Jiffy Lube, and police found three misdemeanor warrants out for him. They say he gave them a false name at first; he is charged with theft and false reporting, both misdemeanors. The juvenile suspect was found on the other side of Alaska, near Bank of America. Roman and Olebar were booked into the King County Jail, and the jail register says they’re still there now; the juvenile suspect was released to his parents. The victim told police the only thing missing from her purse when she got it back was a pair of earbuds.
Mason at the Antique Mall of West Seattle e-mailed to say burglar(s) hit the store earlier this week:
The incident occurred sometime between 11:30 pm Monday night and 6:00 am Tuesday morning at the front entrance of the Antique Mall of West Seattle (4516 California Ave SW). The intruders made their way into the store after drilling out the front-door lock. It is suspected that they did not stay long as only the front few cases were disturbed and the number of items reported to be missing is minimal. This does of course further raise concern for potential future attempts at our store and other stores in the Junction as this sort of crime is becoming more frequent.
We have re-keyed the locks and readjusted our security system. Of course we don’t keep any cash in store after hours and we suggest that other area businesses update/increase their security as well.
If you have any information for police, the incident number is 18-019526.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
PHONE THEFT: From Chelsea:
Last night, as I was walking home from LA Fitness, I was standing on the corner of Edmunds and Fauntleroy when 3 males approached me from behind as I was sending a text. They then grabbed my phone out of my hand (they did not assault me or pull any weapons). After they grabbed the phone, they proceeded to run West on Edmunds (away from me), where they split up right around 40th Ave. Two of them booked it into an alley behind the apartment building there while one of them ran toward and then crossed Alaska.
I didn’t end up filing a police report because I didn’t get a good look at them plus I didn’t have a phone to call. They appeared to be younger, based upon their clothing, which was dark hoodies with jeans and at least one of them had a backpack on.
As we told her, it’s vital to file a police report so this is on record at the very least, and it’s not too late to file one. (Wednesday update: She has filed a report – incident #18-019576.)
PURSE-SNATCHING FOLLOWUP: We still haven documents with full details of the Saturday night incident in The Junction, but we’ve got a few more than we did on Sunday. We’ve confirmed that two 19-year-olds booked into jail for theft on Saturday night are the adult suspects in this case (police told us a juvenile also was arrested, but juvenile detention rosters are not available online). Both are still in jail, one with bail set at $20,000, one with bail set at $1,500. Both have been ordered – if they do get out – to have no contact with the Junction Starbucks, which at least one witness told us is where the purse theft happened.
ABANDONED BICYCLE: Latest sighting is reported by Becky:
She spotted it at the corner of 47th SW and SW Edmunds.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today, and a reminder:
CAR BREAK-IN: From Steve:
We had our car prowled overnight, sometime between 11 pm and 9 am. We are on 37th Ave SW between Lander and Stevens [map]. Registration and Title, Insurance, car chargers, special parking permit and shopping bags were taken. The car was completely cleaned out. The registration (etc.) was in a bright-orange vinyl folder.
The tracking number for the incident is T18000652.
(ADDED 1:12 PM) After reading this, Todd e-mailed to say his car window was broken by someone last night just a block west, on 38th SW.
BICYCLE FOUND: A texter found a bicycle at 12th SW and SW Myrtle [map] – near Riverview Playfield – and turned it over to a Parks and Recreation crew that was nearby. The finder didn’t take a photo but described it as a black or gray Trek “commuter bike” that had been purchased at Gregg’s. (The general Parks number is 206-684-4075.)
REMINDER – WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TOMORROW: 7 pm Tuesday (January 16th) at the Southwest Precinct, it’s the next meeting of the WS Crime Prevention Council, with your chance to bring neighborhood crime/safety concerns to local police. A drug-trend guest is booked this month too.
We’ve finally obtained a bit of information about an incident last night in The Junction. We knew from scanner traffic that three suspects had been arrested after a search in the 40th/41st/Alaska vicinity around 6:30-7 pm, but didn’t hear what preceded the search/arrests and were unable to find officers afterward to ask; the online information system (including Tweets by Beat) is down, too. So we went back to the precinct today in hopes of tracking down a few details. While the full report isn’t available, we’re told it was a purse-snatching. No injuries. The three suspects who were arrested – two adults, one juvenile – are described as having had run-ins with police before. We hope to get the full report after the holiday weekend.
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