West Seattle, Washington
24 Wednesday
More bicycles in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight (and SPD’s still looking for the owner of this one), but first…
CAR BREAK-IN IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Mike D, on 40th SW near SW 106th, reports:
I heard a car alarm going off this morning around 6 a.m. Turns out it was the neighbor’s car. But my car was the one that was opened and rummaged through. No forced entry; not sure how they got into the car – my car locks automatically when I walk away. I’m guessing they went up and down 40th checking cars. The neighbor said he saw an unfamiliar minivan.
Taken: A laptop and loose change.
WESTWOOD BIKE THEFT: “This bike wasn’t really worth much but, the thief entered my yard and took it unbeknownst to me or my tenant. Disturbing to say the least,” began Michelle, reporting the theft. We e-mailed back to ask about a photo; no, but: “Red mountain bike, nothing special, more concerned that people are getting bold enough to remove a lock, open a gate, and trespass while it was clear we were home!”
STOLEN? BIKE SPOTTED IN JACK BLOCK PARK: F sent this photo and report:
Walking in Jack Block with our puppy (Saturday) and saw an apparently abandoned bike leaned up against the power pole near the kids’ play area.
It may’ve been in the weather a bit, but looked serviceable (tires full, etc.)
We are getting ever-more reports of abandoned and likely stolen bikes, so if you are missing one, keep an eye on our crime-coverage archive.
In tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:
PELLET-GUN SHOOTING IN LINCOLN PARK: The victim e-mailed us tonight with this report:
As I was jogging in Lincoln Park on Friday, September 30th, around 5:15 pm, I was heading downhill on the the trail directly above Colman Pool. I felt a sharp stinging pain in my chest, and realized I had just been shot with something! I saw two Caucasian boys, in their early teens, hiding in the brush above the trail. As I went towards them, they tried to hide themselves with their shirts and ran off! When I got home, I found the pellet in my shirt and the pellet had broken the skin. Just wanted to get the word out! Be aware!
CAR STOLEN IN GATEWOOD: From Melissa: “We had our white 2000 Honda CR-V, WA plate ASK3577, stolen from the front of our home. It did have a club attached to the wheel; officer said thieves come with their own wheel and swap it out. If anyone sees the vehicle, please call the police.”
PLEA BARGAIN FOR REPEAT OFFENDER: In July, we reported on Taylor Church, a 26-year-old repeat property-crime offender arrested for prowling in Highland Park/South Delridge and then charged with burglary. Checking online records, we found that Church had reached a plea bargain and was sentenced on Friday afternoon. She pleaded guilty to residential burglary for a July break-in in the 9000 block of 17th SW. And she pleaded guilty to a drug violation from a May incident in which court documents say she was found in a community-center bathroom in Tukwila trying to inject heroin. Superior Court Judge William Downing sentenced her to time served – almost three months – plus the residential version of the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative, which she is expected to begin on Monday – three to six months of residential treatment. It will be followed by two years of “community custody” (probation).
A package thief hit Tiah near 39th and Manning on Friday. USPS says it delivered her package, containing “a high waisted black Victorian bustle skirt from ebay (Retroscope is the brand), at 10:58 am. When I arrived home, no package was to be found. Junk mail was still present in the mail box, so I’m not sure if they took any bills or any other sensitive mail. … (The skirt, worth $110) was for Halloween and as a teacher, I don’t have the funds to get another.”
After her first note, she sent this update: “1990 gray Honda Civic, older model. Larger, overweight man, black hair comb-over. A couple on 36th Ave saw the man rifle through the box, take out the skirt, and throw the packaging and box away in the trash bin of 3715 36th Ave SW.”
Three cases in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First – is this your bike?
POLICE SEEK BIKE’S OWNER: Southwest Precinct police are looking for this bicycle’s owner – they believe it was left at a crime scene by a repeat offender.
If it’s yours, please call SPD ASAP at 206-817-6370.
Meantime, two cases we were already just about to report – first, a car prowler got away with a lot of gear:
CLIMBING GEAR STOLEN: From Thomas:
My cars were broken into this morning … parked (in the 4700 block of) SW Dawson.
The thieves got away with away quite a list of valuables, but the summary is as follows:
-3 rock climbing harnesses
-2 climbing ropes (blue/red)
-15 quick draws (black/orange)
-assorted carabiners
-Patagonia duffel (navy blue) with assorted women’s clothing (my partners)
-Black canvas duffel with assorted men’s clothing
-2 pairs rock climbing shoes
-150 liter duffel with Rainier Mountaineering Inc. logo on the side with assorted clothing inside
-110 liter Mountain Hardwear back pack grey/white
-28 liter Mammut pack blue
-10 liter Petzl pack black/grey
-10 liter black diamond pack grey/lime greenI haven’t taken a complete inventory of things I lost, but the items listed are the biggest things (I think). I work as a mountain guide and the things that were stolen are equipment I use for work so the loss is doubly significant as I will need to replace the items in order to work.
CHURCH HIT BY THEFT: Multiple congregation members from Westside Unitarian Universalist in Gatewood called our attention today to this item in the church’s newsletter, which we are republishing with church permission:
Last Sunday the laptop from our AV booth was stolen by two people who entered the building around 2:00 through a door that was propped open for a construction project. Two members saw them and asked about their purpose and the couple gave them a false story about a class they were attending in the building. Please be mindful at all times to not leave valuables unattended. Please help us keep a watchful eye for any suspicious behavior – just let a staff person or church leader know.
One person who saw the thieves says this might be linked to the Senior Center purse theft mentioned here yesterday – we’re still collecting information on that for a followup, but wanted to get these items out in the meantime.
CAR BREAK-IN: From Patrick in the 4700 block of Delridge:
(Early Thursday) someone broke into my car around 4:30 am and stole sunglasses, change, and my house key. Suspect it was a prowler who on the previous night stole items from neighbors. Locks have been changed, but prowler is probably still around. People should be alert.
PURSE THEFT: From Michelle:
Last Monday, September 19 at 9 a.m., my mother dropped her purse on the sidewalk at the intersection of Manning and 41st Ave SW. When she realized it was missing and went back to look for it, it had been stolen. A neighbor reported seeing that a man pulled up in a truck and stole the purse, then drove away. On Thursday, this same man was observed on another neighbor’s porch, where he was reported to be looking around. Please be on the look-out for a white man who drives an older two-tone blue Chevy pick-up truck with a job box in the back. The man has light colored shoulder length hair and a narrow face and appears to be in his early 30s.
If you have any information about this individual, please contact the Seattle Police Department. There is a police report on file. 2016-339779
REPEAT-OFFENDER FOLLOWUP: A new charge is filed against one of the three repeat offenders whose cases we covered in this Tuesday story, with additional information in our Wednesday report on the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting. We mentioned 23-year-old Sean Jeardoe, previously convicted of multiple property crimes in West Seattle, and at the time didn’t know if his most recent arrest, related to a stolen vehicle, had happened here. Then on Thursday, we heard from the vehicle’s owner, who said it was a pickup truck had taken in West Seattle, near 34th and Barton, and that Jeardoe had been arrested with it at a Renton restaurant. Tonight, we found that Jeardoe was one of two people charged with stolen-vehicle possession in the case; the charging papers say someone reported him and a woman “unconscious” in the stolen pickup outside the restaurant. He remains held without bail.
(PROBABLY) STOLEN BICYCLES FOUND: Robert sent these photos:
He explained, “We have had a rash of probably stolen bikes found in the Pigeon Point neighborhood in the past week or two. I am attaching pictures of two of them. Both have flat tires and rusty chains.” If you recognize either, let us know (editor@westseattleblog.com, or comment below) and we’ll connect you.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Concerned about what can seem to be a “revolving door” for crime suspects? The guest at last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network offered some frank insight into it.
FROM THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE: Alex Voorhees, a senior prosecutor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was invited to offer insight into how the justice system works, and doesn’t work. She opened by explaining she’s worked in various units during her 14 years in the office. “One of the things I’m most proud about …is a program called CTI.” That dates back about a decade, when the late Norm Maleng, then KC Prosecutor, came up with a plan to tackle the fact that the county was among the nation’s top hotspots for vehicle theft. “We started working with a number of proactive law-enforcement groups around the county,” including Seattle Police. Participants had quarterly meetings and targeted suspects and cut the auto-theft rate in half. But, she said, a lot has changed since then.
The KCPAO handles felonies throughout the county as well as misdemeanors from the unincorporated area. It includes these units:
Special Assault Unit
Domestic Violence Unit
Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit
Property Crimes Unit
When someone is arrested for a felony property crime, they appear in front of a District Court judge within 24 hours, and “an initial bond is set.” That calendar has dozens of suspects on it some days. “We send a prosecutor to that hearing, and in cases involving burglary and auto theft, we ask that people be held. I hear this frustration about revolving doors …” Read More
FUGITIVE ARRESTED: What started as a Narcotics and Gang Unit “emphasis operation in South Park” last night wound up including the arrest of a fugitive wanted on a felony warrant from Oregon, according to SPD Blotter. The officers found a stolen pickup truck at 5th Ave. S. and S. Kenyon in South Park, then checked out a Jaguar parked nearby and found it “belonged to a wanted fugitive.” They “watched the vehicles until two men approached the vehicles and drove away. Detectives followed and SWAT officers made the stops at two separate locations. The stolen truck was stopped in the 5900 block of 1st Avenue South and the 35-year-old man was arrested for auto theft. Police stopped the Jaguar at 9th Avenue SW and SW Roxbury and arrested its 27-year-old driver, who had a felony fugitive warrant out of Oregon. Officers also recovered a loaded 9mm Glock handgun on the floorboard of the car. Detectives impounded both vehicles and booked both suspects into the King County Jail.”
Another stolen vehicle has been found, with a WSB reader’s help:
TRUCK FOUND: We reported on Sunday about the theft of Caleb’s truck. As noted in the comment section, Adam spotted it on Pigeon Point, reported it police, and mentioned it here. Caleb’s friend, who had sent in the report, confirmed it was recovered.
And a Crime Watch reader report today:
READER REPORT: Anonymous message: “Car prowl last night (in the 8800 block of) 36th Ave SW. Took a green wallet with all my credit cards, ID, etc. Police report done, but wanted neighbors to be aware. (Wallet fell out of my purse, apparently.)”
Three updates today on repeat offenders whose cases we have been checking on:
(July surveillance photo, provided by burglary victim)
PLEA BARGAIN FOR JESSICA DETRICK: She is the repeat offender most memorable for surveillance video/photos showing her with her dog in tow at crime scenes. We reported in August that she was charged in two burglaries, June in Highland Park and July in Upper Fauntleroy. Now, checking back on her case, we discovered that Detrick, 36, has struck a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to three counts – residential burglary in the July case, criminal trespass and third-degree theft in the June case. Charging documents noted that Detrick had 38 warrants in King County since 2000, as well as arrest and/or conviction records in Illinois and Arizona; her first conviction was at age 15. Her sentencing is set for October 14th before King County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ramsdell, but she is not being recommended for prison time; instead, prosecutors write that she appears to be eligible for the residential version of the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA), and recommend 24 months of community custody (probation) provided she spends three to six months in residential drug-dependency treatment. If she doesn’t comply, she would face jail time beyond what she will have served at the time of her sentencing.
SEAN JEARDOE: The serial burglar with whom Detrick was arrested twice in 2013 (as summarized in this WSB followup last June) – though she was never charged in either case – is back in jail, we noticed while checking the roster today. Jeardoe (Department of Corrections photo at right) was released from prison earlier this year after serving a DOSA sentence that included mandatory treatment (here’s our report on the 2014 sentencing); then in June, he was arrested and charged in with drug possession. In July, a failure-to-appear warrant was issued, and as of this morning, he’s in jail in connection with that warrant and for investigation of possessing a stolen vehicle. We don’t yet know where the new arrest happened but we’re checking.
ALAN POLEVIA: We’ve reported on this 35-year-old serial burglar multiple times over the past several years. Polevia (Department of Corrections photo at right, from 2013 WSB story) has been in the King County Jail four times this year alone, according to the roster records, most recently getting out on September 1st after two and a half weeks. While checking the court files’ “new charges” list recently, we found a new case filed against him, unlawful gun possession, in connection with an April incident in West Seattle. According to the charging documents, Polevia was found unconscious in the 8600 block of 29th SW the morning of April 26th, face up, with a loaded .22 caliber handgun next to him and a box of 100 rounds of ammunition in a backpack next to him. When revived, he told police he had swallowed a half-ounce of heroin and that the gun wasn’t his; police checked, but it hadn’t been reported as stolen. He wasn’t booked into jail at the time, but instead taken to Harborview. The charges filed September 16th have resulted in a $25,000 warrant for his arrest.
P.S. One more reminder, a King County prosecutor who works on repeat-offender cases will be the guest at tonight’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting, 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) – as previewed on the WSBWCN website.
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN GROCERIES: From Ryan in Gatewood/south Morgan Junction:
Our Amazon Fresh grocery delivery was stolen from our front door this morning between 4 am – 6 am. We live on SW Myrtle St near Caffe Ladro. Unfortunately, it contained all of the school snacks we had ordered for our son’s preschool class. I confirmed with Amazon that it was delivered and our empty Amazon Fresh containers we left out had been taken.
DUMPED BICYCLE #1 Also in south Morgan Junction, this bicycle turned up, apparently abandoned, near the McDonald’s:
DUMPED BICYCLE #2: And Jason found this one in an unspecified location:
Recognize either of those? Let us know. Last but not least, another reminder:
WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK TUESDAY NIGHT: 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct, WSBWCN’s meeting features a guest from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office talking about prosecution of repeat offenders. Questions about what happens after suspects are charged? Bring ’em. The precinct is at 2300 SW Webster, and you don’t have to be part of a Block Watch to attend.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: Keep watch for Caleb‘s truck:
Stolen from south side of West Seattle Corporate Center lot (Delridge/Andover)
2011 Red Dodge Ram 2500
Black wheels
Has a leveling kit
Black Top Bed Cover
5th wheel hitch
IBEW Sticker on the back window
Call 911 if you see it.
HIT & RUN IN ALKI: 56th and Lander is where Julie reports this happened: “Between 6:30 am and 8 am Sunday 9/25 morning, our blue 4-door pickup was hit while parked on the street. If you have any information, we would greatly appreciate your help. Police report filed.”
CAR PROWL IN MORGAN JUNCTION: From Gina:
I just wanted to let everyone know our car got broken into last night or this morning. We live in an apartment complex with a covered carport on California Ave in Morgan Junction and we came to our car with the contents of our glovebox strewn about. Luckily, we had no valuables in the car and there was no property damage. We’re grateful they left our national parks pass and discovery pass. However, I wanted to let my neighbors to keep their eyes out! Even though we didn’t lose anything, we are reporting it to the police.
REMINDER – WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK ON TUESDAY: You don’t have to be a Block Watch Captain or even a Block Watch member to attend the WSBWCN meeting 6:30 pm Tuesday (September 27th) at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). A special guest from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will talk about her work including prosecution of repeat property-crime offenders.
Two reader reports and a reminder in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
CAR VANDALIZED: Michelle says this happened to her car northeast of The Junction, near 38th SW/SW Genesee:
“Last night someone smashed the window out of my Honda Fit. Can’t see that they did any other damage or took anything. Seems like vandalism.”
CAR RANSACKED: On 42nd SW near Jefferson Square, someone ransacked Kiki‘s car overnight.
NEXT CRIME/SAFETY MEETING: Questions about how the justice system works or doesn’t work? Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting – first one since summer hiatus – is for you. The special guest is from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, talking about their work on burglary/car-theft repeat-offender cases. Here’s the preview from the WSBWCN site. Meeting’s at 6:30 pm Tuesday (September 27th), Southwest Precinct, 2300 SW Webster.
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
STOLEN TOOLS/JACKETS? From Patty in Morgan Junction: “I believe someone took these from someone and dumped them in our apartment parking lot. It’s a tool belt with tools in it, 2 jackets (one fleece). Our address is 6500 block of California. … A name is on the tape measure but we couldn’t find the person by googling them. Hate to toss them.” Let us know if you’re missing similar items and we’ll send you her way.
SUSPECT RELEASED: Following up on our Sunday report of a 36-year-old car-theft suspect’s arrest along Longfellow Creek – he has not yet been charged and was released from jail after three days. The probable-cause documents in the case (basically, the police-report narrative) described the circumstances leading up to the arrest, information we didn’t have for our original report: A patrol officer became “suspicious” of the car, which at the time was parked, unoccupied, near 25th SW/SW Juneau, called it in, continued along his way, and then got confirmation that it was stolen. When he went back to the area, he noticed someone was in the car and had started it. As his car got closer, the person got out of the car and bolted. The officer ordered the suspect to stop; he “feigned compliance” and then fled. Backup officers were called in to search, and as we reported, the suspect was arrested nearby.
SUSPECT BACK IN JAIL: While checking the jail register, we noticed a familiar name among those booked this week: 39-year-old Joshua Utecht. He is the man arrested and charged in a stolen-car case after an incident in the Beach Drive area, back in April. He is now back in jail with bail set at $35,000 for allegedly failing to appear in connection with that case. Court records say the warrant that resulted in his arrest this week was issued a month ago; we don’t know the circumstances of his arrest on that warrant, nor whether he was in West Seattle, but thought it notable. He had spent a month in jail in connection with the April case before getting out after posting bond.
12:23 PM: Thanks for the tips – if you’re seeing police in North Delridge (we’ve heard 26th SW/SW Graham and the 5900 block of Delridge Way, as well as points west), they’re looking for someone they were trying to arrest in connection with a warrant, not a current incident. Apparently the suspect fled as police were moving in. Helicopter involvement too, tipsters are telling us.
12:33 PM: Our crew has arrived in the area and has confirmed the same thing – no info on what kind of warrant (except that it’s for a felony case). The ground search includes a K-9 team.
Just published on SPD Blotter by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee – news that a West Seattle murder case dating back to 1984 is now closed. 36-year-old Michael Vanderpool was shot and killed in an alley in Highland Park. An SPD detective reviewing cold-case files this summer – who says, “We want to make it clear to suspects, we never give up” – tracked down witnesses and determined who the killer was. Read the whole story on SPD Blotter here.
(UPDATED 4:45 PM with comment from lawyer for two of the people the city is suing)
(April WSB photo – south end of area where trees were cut)
12:04 PM: Last week, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold told the 34th District Democrats that she’d learned the City Attorney’s Office would have something to say this week about last winter’s illegal tree-cutting in West Seattle’s Duwamish Head Greenbelt.
Here it is:
The Seattle Times just broke the news that the city has filed lawsuits “seeking more than $1.6 million in combined damages and fines.”
We’re following up with the City Attorney’s Office and checking court files.
12:15 PM: We’ve obtained City Attorney Pete Holmes‘s statement from his office:
City Attorney Pete Holmes: “Earlier this year, the City learned of unpermitted improper tree cutting on City property in West Seattle near the 3200 block of 35th Ave. SW. Today, the City filed two lawsuits, naming people the City believes were involved in the tree cutting. The property is in an environmentally critical area on a steep slope. Approximately 150 trees of varying sizes, including many big-leaf maples and Scouler’s willows, were felled.
“My office has been involved in the City’s response. We launched an investigation to assess the extent of damage and identify the responsible parties. To that end, we retained a consulting arborist to assess the damage and prepare a comprehensive restoration plan.
“No one has yet come forward to give the City the full story of what happened despite SPD’s best efforts and extensive investigation. However, we are satisfied that we now know enough to proceed with civil lawsuits. We expect to learn that additional people, beyond those named in the lawsuits, were involved with the cutting as the suits progress. Between the lawsuits, the City seeks over $1.6 million in damages and fines. The City seeks relief on several grounds, including timber trespass, damage to land, trespass, negligence, environmentally critical areas violations, violations of the parks code and violations of the city’s tree and vegetation management in public places code.
“On its damages theories, the City generally alleges that the defendants and/or their agents cut down trees on City property without permission when they should have known better. The extensive tree cutting damaged the trees and the underlying land. On its code violation theories, because the cutting took place on City property and some occurred in City right of way, the cutters or their employers were required to obtain a number of permits before they cut any trees. No permits were issued to authorize the cutting and penalties and fines are therefore appropriate.
“The SPD criminal investigation of this matter is ongoing, and it is possible that SPD will refer this matter to the King County Prosecutor or my office in the future for potential criminal prosecution.”
We also have the court documents and are going through them for additional details. More to come …
12:27 PM: Two suits are filed. The first one, involving “the northern site” (off 35th), names Stanley Harrelson and Mary Harrelson, who are residents next to one of the cut zones, and Martin Riemer and Karrie Riemer, who live across the street to the east from the Harrelsons. That suit also names Forrest Bishop and John Russo, who the city alleges “were hired by the Harrelsons and Riemers to cut trees on city property located adjacent and/or across from (theirs).” The same suit also names “Defendants John and Jane Does 1-10 (who) may have retained Bishop, Russo, or others to cut trees on (two city parcels) or may themselves have cut trees on those parcels.”
(added) This suit alleges that “55 trees 6 inches in caliper or greater were cut down on the Parcels in Exhibit 1 Area A (which) are located in an environmentally critical area that contains steep slopes and landslide-prone areas. None of Defendants sought permission from any City department to cut trees on the Parcels. The cutting of trees increased the likelihood of landslides on the Parcels, and thereby damaged the land itself.” It alleges six “causes of action”:
*Timber trespass
*Damage to land
*Trespass
*Negligence
*Violations of the Environmentally Critical Areas Code
*Unauthorized use of park property
The damages sought in this suit are listed as:
… a principal judgment against Defendants, jointly and severally, including treble damages of $678,180 on the City’s timber trespass claim or in such other amount as may be proven at trial; penalties in the amount of $275,000 for cutting down 55 trees of six inches or more in diameter and an additional $500 for each tree cut …
… as well as other costs including legal fees and “enforcement costs.”
The suit involving “the southern site” (off City View) names Kostas Kyrimis and Linda Kyrimis, as well as “defendants Jane and John Does 1-14 (who) resided at and owned property within a two-block radius of the intersection of 35th Ave SW and SW Hinds Street and had views that were previously impaired by trees … (and) Defendants Jane and John Does 15-20 (who) were hired by the Kyrimises and/or Jane and John Does 1-14 to cut trees on property owned by the City …”
(added) This suit alleges that “72 trees over 6 inches in caliper” were cut in the area involved and makes the same allegations as the other suit, that no permission was sought, and that damage included the increased likelihood of landslides on the steep slopes.
Along with the same six “causes” as the northern-area lawsuit (listed above), this one adds a seventh:
*Tree and vegetation management in public places
And the damages sought in this suit, along with various costs such as enforcement and attorneys’ fees:
… A principal judgment against Defendants, jointly and severally, including treble damages of $362,760 on the City’s timber trespass claim or in such other amount as may be proven at trial; penalties in the amount of $360,000 for cutting down 72 trees over six inches in caliper and an additional $500 for each tree cut pursuant to SMC 25.09.460.A; land restoration costs …
We’ll add any comment we get from those targeted in these two lawsuits.
1:32 PM: Councilmember Herbold’s statement:
“I thank the City Attorney’s Office for filing two civil lawsuits this morning to address the illegal cutting of 150 trees in West Seattle earlier this year. I appreciate the use of a full range of the legal remedies available for civil suits, including timber trespass, which allows for 3x damages.
“The $1.6 million total in damages and fines sought by the City speaks to the seriousness of the claims. The damages and penalties must be significant enough to deter this kind of activity in the future, so that those with financial means don’t see unauthorized tree cutting as a cost-effective way to increase their views and property values.
“These trees played an important role in maintaining soil stability in an environmentally critical area, and lessened the risk of landslides onto a major arterial, SW Admiral Way. They also helped maintain air quality by absorbing carbon—an important issue in West Seattle, which sits adjacent to SODO and the Duwamish industrial area.
“I understand the Seattle Police Department’s criminal investigation is ongoing. My hope is that the Department will eventually be able to establish probable cause for pursuing criminal charges. However, I appreciate the difficulty they face, given that persons believed to be involved are declining to cooperate with investigators, and the legal standard needed to establish probable cause for criminal charges and to prove those charges beyond a reasonable doubt.”
ADDED 4:45 PM: Just received a statement from Clayton Graham, lawyer for two of the people the city is suing:
We are disappointed by the City Attorney’s decision to file the lawsuit today. Our clients, Stan and Mary Harrelson, deeply regret the tree cutting which happened next to their property. At no point did our clients request, or condone, the extent of the work that was done by the contractor.
The Harrelsons have acknowledged their role in this mistake but the City has been non-responsive to our attempts to reach a settlement in this matter. We believe the damages sought in the suit are excessive, given our clients’ limited role in the cutting that took place. While the lawsuit claims that none of the homeowners has come forward with the full story, our clients have fully cooperated with the City’s efforts since they, themselves, disclosed this work to the City early this year, and hired a former City of Seattle arborist to develop a restoration plan. The Harrelsons remain ready and willing to work with the City to remedy this matter.
We had published a statement from Graham in this March 28th story on behalf of his then-unidentified clients, saying they and also-then-unidentified neighbors had “hired a landscaping business to top and prune some trees to improve the view from their respective residences” and that his clients had come back from a trip to find out the landscapers had gone beyond their mandate.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
ATTEMPTED GARAGE BURGLARIES: From Darren, who lives in an Alki townhome complex near 60th and Admiral: “Last night someone attempted to break into 3 of our neighbors’ garages (after 7 pm, as one of our neighbors didn’t notice damage to his garage when he was taking garbage and recycling out to the curb). They didn’t get in but did some damage to the doors. Our neighbor who reported it to the police isn’t able to open her garage now as the damage affected the sensor.” SPD case number is 16-339756.
CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TOMORROW: One last mention before the Tuesday highlight list – the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council returns from summer hiatus tomorrow night. 7 pm Tuesday at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), bring your neighborhood concerns to local police, and hear from them about local crime trends. Plus, this month’s special guest is Lisa Love, manager of Health Education for Seattle Public Schools, who WSCPC president Richard Miller says will “discuss the topic of harassment, intimidation and bullying in our schools.”
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports, plus a reminder:
STOLEN BICYCLE: From Andrew:
I’d like to report a stolen bike, which was stolen from 3809 Delridge Way. We were working on our business when the thief stole the bike from behind a fence, and walked through long parking lot with multiple unlocked cars and tools. Bike was purchased from West Seattle Cyclery, and was a Bike Marin Cortina T3 with Gum tires (52cm frame).
FOUND FRAME: From Jeff:
We found this bike frame behind OutWest on Thursday, 9/15. Looks like an expensive commuter bike. The tires are gone. We’ll leave the frame behind the building for the owner to pick up.
PROWLER ON VIDEO: From Grant:
We live in the Beveridge-Holly neighborhood near Morgan Junction.
(Last week) a neighbor had a bike stolen off an attached car rack on Beveridge near the stairs. Also, late that same night we saw a BMW parked on Beveridge with its door left wide open at night and the dome light off; not sure if the owner left it that way by accident or if a prowler had opened it earlier. We closed the door and the car seemed to lock itself.
Coincidentally I checked my security camera footage (Thursday) morning and saw a caucasian man with a goatee and backpack was going around and checking car doors at 5:37 am.
It’s a good reminder to keep your car doors locked and to be be aware of strangers wandering through the neighborhood – 5:37 am is a time when people are going to work and not a time we’d expect to see a car prowler working. This guy may have even been going to work himself or thinks he has plausible deniability looking like a morning bus commuter.
REMINDER – CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TOMORROW NIGHT: 7 pm Tuesday at the Southwest Precinct, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is your chance to bring neighborhood concerns directly to local police, and to hear about crime trends. This month’s special guest will talk about school issues including bullying. The precinct is at 2300 SW Webster.
If you noticed all the police near Delridge and Juneau – they were after a suspect who ran from what turned out to be a stolen car (white Saturn, taken somewhere in King County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction):
Police took up containment posts and found the suspect trying to hide along Longfellow Creek south of Juneau. We confirmed with a sergeant at the scene that the suspect was in custody.
2:02 PM: Thanks for the tips. We’re hearing Guardian One too. The helicopter showed up concurrent with a report of a possible burglary near Fauntleroy Park – we’re checking to find out more.
2:09 PM: Police are in the 4000 block of SW Barton, for what we still believe, so far, is a possible burglary investigation. That abuts the Fauntleroy Park greenbelt, on which they are focusing as well.
2:24 PM: Police are now searching the house that was the subject of the burglary report – our photographer reports that the residents came home and let them in. Fauntleroy has had an uptick in burglaries recently, as mentioned in our coverage of the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting this past Tuesday; we reported on a break-in near Lincoln Park just yesterday.
2:35 PM: No word of an arrest yet. But a sighting that *might* (or might not) have been related – someone who told us about hearing the burglary alarm said they saw several people jump into a “black Acura” near Fauntleroy Church – we know police have that tip as well, as it’s been mentioned over the air.
2:37 PM: Our photographer is back with this image of police when they were outside the house with guns drawn about 20 minutes ago, before determining whether anyone was still inside:
Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STREET ROBBERY NEAR CALIFORNIA/ANDOVER: We’ve just obtained the Seattle Police report on this incident that happened just before 11:30 last night. It says a woman who had just gotten off work in The Junction was walking home with her boyfriend, northbound in the 4000 block of California SW (near Andover), when four men “approached them from behind.” One man asked the woman what time it was; when she started to pull out her phone to look, the man showed a “small black handgun” and said “Give me all your stuff.” She said the men then pushed her to the ground “and punched her several times … she covered her face to keep her glasses from breaking.” Her purse, meantime, was on the ground, with its contents scattered, the report says, and the attackers/robbers went through the items, stealing $30, before running away southbound, possibly because two people had just pulled up in a car. Police arrived at the scene, where they found the female victim, who said her boyfriend also had been assaulted and then chased after the robbers/attackers. SFD was called to check out their injuries. The victims said that because it was dark, they didn’t get a good look at the attackers/robbers, but they and the two people who had pulled up in a car told police the four appeared to be black men in their 20s, “average build,” wearing dark sweatshirts “with the hoods pulled up.” Police brought a K-9 in to help search, but didn’t find anyone.
CAR STOLEN FROM SUPERMARKET LOT: A brazen car theft this morning – while Kelly stopped for coffee, bagel, and a work call at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, someone stole her car, a green Honda CR-V, plate AQK4300, taken around 9:20 am from the south side of the parking lot: “The car had very special fishing poles that mean a lot to our family.” They’re in the process of filing the police report now; call 911 if you see the car.
P.S. The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council resumes monthly meetings next Tuesday (September 20th) at the Southwest Precinct, 7 pm, with crime-trend updates from police and a chance for you to bring up community crime/safety concerns.
9:21 AM: If you’ve noticed police near/inside Lincoln Park this morning – we’ve just found out what the search is about. We started looking into it after a texted tip (thank you!) about police near 47th and Othello. We were unable to get more information at the scene but just reached SPD media-relations Det. Mark Jamieson by phone; he tells WSB, that’s where a resident reported seeing someone break into a neighbor’s house. They told police they saw someone come out of the house “carrying something” and then heading into the park. Officers called for a K-9, who picked up a track and has been helping search – no word of an arrest so far, but as of just before 9 am, according to scanner traffic, they’re still searching.
3:39 PM: Just checked with SPD. No arrest in this case so far. (If you have any info – it’s 16-334518.)
More West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon:
STOLEN CAR: Morgan‘s car was stolen last night or early today – “My car was stolen from my driveway (corner of 108th and 37th Ave SW [map]): 2016 Honda Fit, Cobra Drivers seat (says COBRA on the headrest) and license-frame bracket that says Seahawks Season ticket holder. WA plates — AYZ9219.” Call 911 if you see it.
STOLEN PACKAGE: In a comment following today’s first Crime Watch report, Chelsea reported a package theft near California and Dakota [map] and included this link to images from a security camera.
CRIME-PREVENTION ADVICE: The Southwest Precinct e-mailed two “bulletins” today with general advice on what you can do to prevent/reduce burglaries and car prowls – read them as PDFs here (burglaries) and here (car prowls).
NEXT WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING: WSCPC meetings resume this month – they are your chance to come hear about crime trends from, bring neighborhood concerns to, and ask questions of, Southwest Precinct reps, as well as special guests. WSCPC president Richard Miller tells WSB that the 7 pm meeting next Tuesday (September 20th) will feature “Lisa Love, manager, Health Education, Seattle Public Schools, to discuss the topic of harassment, intimidation, and bullying in our schools.” The meeting is at the precinct (2300 SW Webster).
Two reader reports:
BOAT AND TRAILER STOLEN: The photo and report are from Alyssa:
A family member’s boat was stolen from the corner of 14th Ave. SW and SW Elmgrove in Highland Park in the middle of the night. [map] It’s a 1966, 14 foot, white fishing boat on an army green trailer. Numbers on the side of the boat are: WN6881SJ and WA license plate # on trailer is: 7574QK. It was locked and had been moved within the last 72 hours … it has great sentimental value.
It’s been reported to SPD – call if you see it.
BICYCLE FOUND: Recognize this?
The photo’s from the finder, who says: “We found this bike in a hedge in an alley at Alki.” (Recognize it? Please comment.)
| 2 COMMENTS