West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
Four reader reports tonight:
RECOGNIZE THIS SCOOTER? Abandoned vehicles of all types usually turn out to be stolen, so we’re featuring this here. From Charlie:
On Thursday evening, someone parked a silver Piaggio (Vespa-style) motorbike in the street out in front of our home near Morgan Junction. I have checked with neighbors and our Neighborhood Watch families to see if anyone living nearby belonged to the vehicle, to no avail. It seems to have been abandoned or ditched and I have filed an abandoned vehicle report with SPD. The tag [2A6034] expired in 2015. Maybe one of your readers will recognize this vintage ride!
LOCKER-ROOM THEFT: We’ve published reader reports before about car prowls in the LA Fitness parking garage. Now there’s word of an LA Fitness locker break-in – Susan told us via Twitter that it happened Monday morning; her purse, phone, and lock were stolen from the locker room and one of her credit cards was used at Target a half-hour later. She says the thief would have to be a member because of the gym policies.
DOOR KICKED: Richard on 26th SW in Westwood reported that someone tried to kick in his door while he was home this afternoon.
FURNITURE THEFT: From Cindy:
Bummer 3 stacking end tables were just taken from our side yard….. stolen!?!?
At 7:40 PM today 12/6/16 while moving stuff from my mothers home to our home (4601 SW Stevens), our son took three nesting walnut tables out of his car to the sidewalk’s edge/lawn on the 46th Ave SW side of our house. He brought in a box of books. Went back for the tables and they are GONE.
Attached picture from the internet is almost but not exact. Ours are walnut. Ebay value is about $600.
Police report filed – incident #2016-439271
Two Crime Watch notes:
THIEVES HIT TWELFTH NIGHT PRODUCTIONS: This happened in SODO, but hit a West Seattle-based theater troupe hard. Anna from Twelfth Night Productions tells WSB:
$7,000 in sound equipment was stolen from our locked storage facility. We’re trying to spread the word far and wide that we need community support to recoup that loss. The sound equipment is essential for us and needs to be replaced by our next production in February. Thankfully, we’ve been able to borrow or rent what we need for the show that opens on Friday.
If you can chip in to help TNP replace what was taken, you’ll find the crowdfunding page here.
YARD LIGHTS LIFTED: From A in the 9000 block of 13th SW:
I see that someone made off with all my nicer solar yard lights. Birds of paradise, tulips, glowing globes….all the ‘upscale’ ones. They left the typical regular white pathway lights but took all the designer ones that made my front walkway so pretty. It would have taken more than a minute to gather them and not break anything while hauling away. Plus, the lights and the solar pack are two separate stakes and they are both gone for each. Barely any ground disturbance so they took their care….so they can do what with them now???
It’s disturbing. Who does this? :-(
I guess I’m now going to have to set up outside cameras like so many others are resorting to doing. Ugh.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
We know much more today about what led police to serve a “drug-related warrant” Friday night at two locations including the Corner Pocket bar in The Junction.
And we have confirmed what emerged in a comment following our story – that the state has suspended the Corner Pocket’s license for at least six months.
The Corner Pocket employee whose name is on its business license was arrested Friday night and is accused of selling heroin. Probable-cause documents from his weekend bail hearing say Seattle Police made undercover buys from him four times.
That’s what the Liquor and Cannabis Board cited when we asked about the license situation. Here’s how spokesperson Brian Smith replied to our inquiry:
LCB enforcement officers joined a Seattle PD enforcement action at the Corner Pocket. The LCB issued an emergency liquor-license suspension of the Corner Pocket for 180 days. During that time, the Board will seek permanent revocation of the license. Emergency suspensions represent an extraordinary exercise of the state’s power and the WSLCB is mandated to ensure that an emergency suspension is reasonable, justifiable and legal in every way. The Seattle PD had done controlled buys of heroin on the promises.
Though the suspect is not yet charged, we are identifying him due to those “extraordinary” circumstances of the case, with a local business closed as a result. He is 38-year-old Michael Eugene Maine.
When a tip led us to find police at the Corner Pocket on Friday night, they would say only that they were serving a “drug-related warrant” at two “coordinated” locations. The other one, northeast of Morgan Junction, is described by police as Maine’s residence. He was booked into jail on Friday night for investigation of Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, then posted bond and was released after a judge set his bail at $25,000 on Saturday.
Today, we’ve obtained the probable-cause documents that allege Maine sold heroin to an undercover officer four times, three of those at the Corner Pocket. Read More
Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: Above, that’s Paul‘s pickup, “from the alley behind my house in the Sunrise Heights neighborhood of West Seattle, presumably in the early hours of 12/1. It’s a Red/Burgundy 2005 Toyota Tundra V8 4wd, WA plate# C73302C. SPD Incident report #16-432136.” If you see it, call 911.
BICYCLE FOUND: G – whose recently reported stolen truck was recovered – contacted us today about this bicycle:
G explains, “There was a car prowler arrested on our street last night; we found this bike on street dumped in the bushes. 7100 Block 47 Ave. SW.”
YARD THEFT: From Andrew: “Our yard was burgled overnight. We live just off Lander, as it goes down the street from Admiral to the beach. They took a BBQ propane tank and a cooler full of beer, in case anyone encountered any drunk kids that smell like steaks. Reported to police.”
“WHITE-GLOVE CAR PROWL”: And from Matt:
I just noticed this morning that somebody clearly went through my Jetta near 36th and Andover. No scratches anywhere or signs of forced entry, so I’m guessing I accidentally left the car unlocked or the intruder was a magician. The few things of value (registration, gloves, first aid kit) were left, with only loose change missing. Rather decent as far as these car prowls seem to go, but disconcerting no less. I’m in the process of filing my report with the police, and figured neighbors might want to know. I don’t drive all that often, so unfortunately all I know is that it happened sometime in the past week.
P.S. No West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting this month – we talked with president Richard Miller at an unrelated meeting two nights ago, and he is planning for the next one, January 17th (7 pm, Southwest Precinct).
WSB readers got Doug’s bike back. Tonight – take a look at Rich‘s bikes:
I live on Beach Drive and had two high-end bicycles stolen from an underground, gated/lock garage shared by 11 residents where I live . The bikes were locked with a thick steel cable lock to a bench. The cable was cut clean with cutters, very professional. The theft was committed over the Thanksgiving holiday. I just noticed the theft (Wednesday). I have contacted the police and have the incident record.
One bike is a road bike, a “Softride” ROCKET. It is distinctive in that there is no seat tube and has custom “Aero: bars, for comfort. There is not another one like at all, anywhere! Dark blue with Mavic Kryserium wheels, bladed spokes. Custom risers for the aero bars.
The other is a mountain bike. The brand is a “Niner”, a hard tail bike with fenders, carbon handlebars and seat tube. The wheel sets are from “Bontrager” E.M.O.-Color black with Bontrager RXL wheels, Shimano Deore XT crankset, Bontrager carbon handlebars and seat tube.
Needless to say, these are very expensive bikes and a great loss to me. I’m 67 and these bikes were totally dialed to me and my special needs.
If you see one or both – call 911 and refer to case 2016-431160.
Seven notes in tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:
BURGLARY REPORTEDLY INTERRUPTED: From the scanner – officers rushed to a home in the 3500 block of Admiral Way SW tonight after a report that a resident was “holding down” someone described as a burglar. We have no access to followup information tonight but will be checking with police tomorrow.
BURGLARY SUSPECT ARRAIGNED: 29-year-old Garrett Cimmery, the burglary suspect arrested at Hiawatha Playfield two and a half weeks ago, was back in court today for arraignment on charges related to a home burglary near Me-Kwa-Mooks Park. He pleaded not guilty and remains out on bail as the case proceeds.
PACKAGE THIEF ON VIDEO: From Stacey:
Unfortunately there was some package thefts in the Westwood area today around 3 pm. Multiple homes were visited by this tweaker on Trenton through Cloverdale, then they opened all the packages and dumped the empty boxes in an alley down the street. The guy enters through the alleys in West Seattle and has a silver Ford Explorer.
He only got a rocketship tent, which can be replaced.
PROWLERS STOPPED BY POLICE: From Sue:
Seola Beach was cased today by a couple in a beat-up red Chevy pickup. They drove up at 4 pm, parked in front of a neighbor’s house and the woman boldly went down their stairs in broad daylight, looking in the windows. He stayed in the truck while she came down the beach, into two other backyards and then back to Seola Lane. We have had a lot of problems down here and three neighbors watched, recorded, and asked them questions (stalling while the police came). They took off and were stopped by the police at Seola Beach Drive and 106th.
Sue says her neighbors reported at least one of the suspects was taken into custody for outstanding warrants.
CAR PROWLED AGAIN: Kevin says this is the 4th time he’s been hit:
We had 2 vehicles broken into late Monday night, early Tuesday morning 45th and Hill in Admiral. Both vehicles parked on street in well-lit visible area. As reported by others, it appears to be by an electronic device. Both vehicles were locked and neither had signs of forced entry. Ransacked and some tools stolen that had been left in vehicle overnight after returning late from trip.
CAR PROWLERS, INTERRUPTED: From Mike in North Admiral:
I live on the 1600 block of Palm Ave. At 6:50 this morning I found a young Caucasian male in the driver seat of my car (parked on the street). He was pulling papers out of my glove compartment. The young man got out of the car saying “you got me.” I stood in front of him and demanded he drop everything he was holding. He eventually dropped everything on the grass parking strip. He then pressed his chest against me and said “you better let me go, there are 3 of us.” I stepped out of his way and he left, walking north on Admiral and periodically whistling. I called the police. Then as I began chasing my papers that were blowing down the street, a car halfway down the block pulled out and speed away heading south on Palm. The police arrived promptly, took a report and collected evidence.
PLANT THEFT, AGAIN: From Phoebe in the 3000 block of 37th SW:
Someone decided that my Picea Orientalis Skylands needed to be taken from my parking strip on Thanksgiving or the day after (we noticed it was gone on that Saturday)
I would love to get it back (not an expensive plant but was special order) and have folks keep an eye out for it. The West Seattle Nursery only got in a couple this last spring.
No photo, but we found this online. Phoebe says hers was smaller – less than three feet tall.
Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – hope crime does NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not — thank you.
Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
LICENSE-PLATE THEFT: This is a particularly sneaky crime – sometimes plates will be stolen and replaced, and you might not even notice the switch. This reader did:
I just wanted to let the community know that I had my license plates stolen from my 2005 Honda Accord on Saturday night (while we were home). This was on 38th Ave SW. Nothing else was taken or damaged.
CAR PROWL #1: Blair says this happened in the 7700 block of 46th SW late Sunday or early Monday:
Someone evidently broke into our car and searched for valuables – contents of glove box and console were emptied onto seat. The car was parked in our driveway. Nothing appears to be missing as we don’t leave anything valuable in our cars.
There is no visible damage to the door or window. We have been hearing of car prowls where people use a remote to unlock the doors somehow so we are thinking they were able to unlock our doors electronically somehow, which is of course alarming.
CAR PROWL #2: From Bailey:
Our car was broken into on the night of 11/22 on 31st & Elmgrove. Parked in the driveway in front of the house. Not sure if we left it unlocked or if door was opened by other means. Everything was rifled through, but only things that appears to be missing is our national parks pass and two pairs of sunglasses (about $350 total so that’s a bummer).
STOLEN TRUCK FOUND: Update from Carrie, whose stolen pickup truck was reported here Sunday – it was found in North Admiral, 49th and Hill, with ignition damage.
Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – hope crime does NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not — thank you.
That video is from Doug, showing the theft of his bicycle in North Delridge this morning:
I put the bike on the roof in my driveway at 25th and Brandon [map], then went inside for about 15 minutes. Not smart, obviously! When I came out to load my son into his car seat, I realized it was gone. The thief was visible on the edge of the security video frame for about a minute and a half shortly after I went inside the house, then approached the car with a pen light in his mouth. It took him about 3 minutes to get the bike off of the roof.
I carpool with my wife in the morning, but this is my main mode of transportation home in the evenings. It’s worth a lot financially and sentimentally as I put it together over many months this spring, picking out each part one at a time.
It’s an orange Soma Wolverine, size large steel frame. Drop handlebars, disc brakes, brown leather saddle (Fizik brand, but no logo – I glued the leather cover on myself), dynamo front hub with dynamo lights front and rear, 8 speed internally geared rear hub, extra wide tires and full black fenders, plus a rear rack. It’s a very distinctive bike. I’d appreciate it if everyone could keep an eye out.
Police incident number is 16-428111. And I should note that two officers arrived within 10 minutes and took this very seriously. A huge thanks to SPD!
Five reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK: From Carrie:
Our 1989 Toyota long-bed, charcoal-gray pickup has been stolen. It has tinted windows, in good shape, a large stainless attached lock box (although they may have removed it already). Last parked on Walnut, 3200 block. License Plate C23495G.
PACKAGE THEFT: Just in from Paul:
I wanted to inform you of a stolen item off of our doorstep in Sunrise Heights.
The ski bindings (Marker Griffon 13 ID, 110mm, black) were delivered via UPS from Backcountry.com and dropped on our doorstep on 23.Nov at 12:36 pm (per the UPS tracking info). We had already left town for Thanksgiving. Between the delivery time and when we arrived home on 27.Nov at 12:30 pm, someone had opened the package and stole the item from the box. They left the empty box on our doorstep.
Ironically, I had texted our neighbor to pick up the box but they were not at home. So I knew I was taking a risk – unfortunately the gamble didn’t pay off.
CAR PROWL #1: Anonymous report:
Between Hudson and Dawson on 41st Ave SW. We left the neighborhood for a day or two on the Thanksgiving weekend and returned to a ransacked car. The villain tossed the whole car, but it looks like they were looking for something other than tissues, papers, pens, grocery bags and Bed Bath and Beyond coupons. No damage to locks or ignition. Looking for weed, perhap? Good luck with THAT!
CAR PROWL #2: Bradi reports a car prowl at 30th/Roxbury. Only one thing taken – a towel branded with the defunct Feedback Lounge’s logo.
CAR PROWL #3: Also earlier this holiday weekend, from Kirstin: “My car was also broken into … in the 3600 block of 48th Ave. Sunglasses, first aid kit, and a trunk full of stuff I was going to take to the Salvation Army truck.
We’ve mentioned the Seattle Public Safety Survey several times since it went live more than a month ago. It’s designed to find out what you think about crime, safety, and policing in your neighborhood. And for 11 West Seattle neighborhoods, a key component is the micro-community policing plan:
Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights
The Junction
South Delridge
Pigeon Point
North Delridge
North Admiral
Morgan Junction
High Point
Highland Park
Fauntleroy
Alki
(added) South Park is in the Southwest Precinct area, too, so here is its MCPP plan.
Those are all PDFs, obtained from Jennifer Burbridge, the Seattle University researcher who’s been working with the Southwest Precinct for more than a year. But you don’t have to be in a neighborhood with a plan (those without one likely don’t have organized community groups with which SPD could work on a plan) to answer the survey. Burbridge says they are hoping for thousands more replies before the survey’s scheduled close next Wednesday (November 30th), to better chronicle neighborhoods’ crime/safety/policing concerns. If you can spare a bit of time, go to publicsafetysurvey.org; you’ll find links to the survey in seven languages.
Thanksgiving was just another work day for thieves, per the reader reports in the WSB inbox today:
STOLEN CAR: From Julie:
Our green 1998 Honda Civic 4 door sedan was stolen from in front of our house in the 3400 block of 41st Ave SW sometime overnight last night after the rain stopped. The pavement was dry where it had been parked. The car has a yellow “War is Terrorism” bumper sticker on the rear bumper and the car body paint is somewhat mottled. The officer who came to take our report said that the car thieves were busy last night. Our police incident number is 16-425153.
STOLEN BICYCLE: From Merrilee:
I wanted to report that my bike was stolen out of our garage last night (Delridge and Genesee). It’s a red and black Giant road bike.
If seen, we can be reached at 425-442-2485 or 206-661-3395.
CAR PROWL: “Our car was rifled through last night. 47th near Erskine. I think I left the doors unlocked. Sunglasses gone, some change and car-wash coins.”
And two pre-Thanksgiving reports:
SHOPLIFTER: Dave at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) wants to make sure other merchants are on the lookout for this person caught on camera in a shoplifted jacket:
He says, “This dude is always around The Junction looking very suspicious in many of our stores. He lifted this jacket from us.”
STOLEN FROM WHILE MOVING: From Leah, who says this happened Sunday night:
I moved from the Admiral area to the Fauntleroy area recently. While our truck was parked by our building while we carried things in (door closed), an antique toy chest and a box of books were stolen. All was pretty sentimental and really not worth all that much to anyone but us 😞 But I digress; please watch your trucks closely and lock every time you take a trip up if you are moving in or out.
We hope crime doesn’t happen to you; if it does, report it to police – 911 if happening now or just happened – and please let us know later so your neighbors all around West Seattle will be alerted too.
In West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
FOLLOWUP ON PACKAGE-THEFT SUSPECTS’ ARREST: The official report on yesterday’s incident in Westwood tells a slightly different story than what we were told in the early going. The incident was spotted by an officer “on routine patrol” along 35th SW who saw a man run toward a house with two packages on its stoop, scooping them up and running back to a car where a woman was waiting in the driver’s seat. She took off as the officer pulled up; he followed until she dead-ended in an alley and “nearly drove … down an embankment.” The officer recognized both people from “past contacts.” The man “claimed someone had told him to pick up the packages for them” but later, at the precinct, “admitted that he had stolen the packages.” The officer also wrote that the suspect “claimed that (the driver) had picked him up just minutes earlier from Westwood Village” and that they “have known each other for a few years and use drugs together.” She, meantime, claimed he had picked her up there. Police were trying to determine who owned the car. He was arrested for investigation of a drug violation; she was cited for theft, and since that is an official misdemeanor charge, we can identify her as 20-year-old Elizabeth D. Parish. The citation carried a bail amount of $1,000, and she got out of jail a short time ago. It was her fourth stay in the King County Jail this year, according to the register. The other suspect, 33, is still there, and we’re awaiting word on whether he’s having a bail hearing this afternoon.
P.S. The police-report narrative says the victim later went to the Southwest Precinct “and claimed his packages.”
(added) P.P.S., 5:36 PM: The 33-year-old suspect had a bail hearing today and was granted release on personal recognizance; the VINE alert system says he’s being processed for release right now. Probable-cause documents say he’s under investigation for a drug charge because he was found in possession of heroin and meth.
Now, the latest reader reports – both about car prowls:
PROWLED IN PARKING GARAGE: From Israel:
Two vehicles were broken into in the garage parking lot at L.A. Fitness in West Seattle (last night) between the hours of 5:30-7:45 pm. The windows were broken and property was stolen from the cars. A blue hiking backpack containing personal belongings and information, including a passport, immigration documents, flash drives, and iPad was stolen from my car. If anyone sees or finds it dumped on the ground somewhere please contact me directly at 509.434.9355. My name is Israel Martinez. Thank you!!
PROWLED IN WESTWOOD: From Andrei:
I had my car window smashed last night early morning on Trenton and 31st st. All that was missing was a pack of cigarettes.
Please report even the smallest of crimes so at least the stats are accurate – that’s the request from police. After we were prowled last Friday, we filed one report for both vehicles and it took just a few minutes … here’s where to start. (And when you get to the long list of car makes, key in the first few letters of yours so it will jump ahead and you can stop scrolling.)
And one more followup:
STOLEN IN WEST SEATTLE, FOUND IN BURIEN: Jackson‘s stolen Ford Escape, reported here on Monday, turned up at 1st/160th in Burien. Jackson says one person was arrested, and, as seems to be a trend lately: “There was also another bag in the car that was not ours. It had a leather jacket and some new clothing from Macy’s in it.”
Might be blocks from where they were stolen, or miles … but thanks in advance for keeping an eye out for these stolen cars (and others noted in previous West Seattle Crime Watch reports):
Jim reports his green 1997 Toyota Corolla, WA license AVM1612, was stolen overnight from the 3000 block of 44th SW. “It has kayak racks (at least it did) on the roof.”
And CJ reports her friends’ car, a dark gray 2007 Toyota Matrix, license plate number 125VUH, was stolen recently in WS and has yet to be found. One distinguishing feature: “I seem to recall it has a small crack in the windshield which had been filled.”
2:15 PM: If you saw the big Seattle Police response in Sunrise Heights/Westwood – with a brief appearance by the Guardian One helicopter – here’s what we’ve found out: Someone saw a package theft in progress, called 911, and gave police a description of the alleged thieves’ vehicle. Police arrived, spotted the car, stopped it in an alley east of 35th and Thistle, and took two people into custody. (Thanks to @MetPatrick22 for the tweet about the search, which was first we’d heard of this.)
2:30 PM: Since this happened such a short time ago, SPD media relations doesn’t have details yet, but they were able to tell us that the original theft report was near 35th/Trenton, not too far from the arrest scene.
Five reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN TRAILER: Reported tonight by Darren:
My trailer was stolen today, 11/21/16, between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm from in front of the house on Belvidere. Someone cut the lock off and drove away with it.
Continental enclosed grey/silver tandem axel trailer. License 5363YR.
(added) If you have any info, Darren is at 425-407-2052; the SPD incident number is 2016-421687.
STOLEN BICYCLE: From Antonio:
A Red Sterling FcCarlight bicycle was stolen from 11/18 through 11/21 at 4550 38th Ave SW, across the street from Lien Animal Clinic:
The owner’s contact information is: 206-578-0274, call or text
CAR PROWL: Kerry got hit: “Just wanted to report that our car was prowled last night (110th and 36th in Arbor Heights), and the thieves had an attempted spending spree up Roxbury soon after.” Kerry’s “kicking myself” for “the car having been unlocked AND having left my wallet and two jackets in said unlocked car,” and was planning to check with Roxbury Safeway and 76, since the attempted spending/withdrawals were all time-stamped.
FOUND ITEMS: Sunny spotted these items, apparently dumped (so, likely stolen) tonight on Pigeon Point:
Not optimal light for a photo but here’s what Sunny noted: “Two bikes (or what’s left of them), a printer, some sort of box, and possibly a pressure washer or paint sprayer?” Recognize any of it? Let us know.
POSSIBLE GUNSHOTS: We received two messages around 8:20 about possible gunshots heard in High Point. We have not heard of any verification of gunfire – no victim, at least. As always, please call 911 if you think you hear shots, even if you didn’t see anything, even if you’re not sure where the noise might be coming from you … those calls help police at least figure out where to look.
It’s all about auto theft in this edition of West Seattle Crime Watch:
TWO AUTO THEFTS IN ONE HIGH POINT BLOCK: Jackson‘s silver 4-door 2015 Ford Escape, WA license AVT6214, was stolen in the 6500 block of High Point Drive SW early today, and, Jackson adds, “The officer told us that another car was reported stolen across the street as well.”
We don’t have any information on the other car, since we haven’t heard from its owner, but Tweets by Beat (see all the Southwest Precinct auto-tweets in a box on the WSB Crime Watch page) does indeed list two separate auto-theft cases reported this morning in that same block.
STOLEN IN MORGAN JUNCTION: We also got a note today from Bill, whose 1999 silver Subaru Impreza Outback, four-door with ski rack, WA license AMR3000, was stolen early last Tuesday in Morgan Junction. If you see this car, Jackson’s car, or any other stolen car, SPD says, call 911!
Four felony charges have been filed against the burglary suspect arrested at Hiawatha Playfield one week ago tonight after a wide-ranging search in Admiral. 29-year-old Garrett Cimmery of Federal Way is charged with one count of residential burglary and three counts of firearms theft; the charging documents say three shotguns were among the items he is accused of stealing from the victims’ home near Me-Kwa-Mooks Park. They also shine additional light into what prosecutors say happened:
As reported previously, a neighbor saw an unfamiliar car and man in the victims’ driveway; when the victims returned home shortly thereafter and discovered the burglary, the information was provided to police. The neighbor saw the same car show up in the neighborhood less than two hours after the break-in; police were called again, an officer spotted the car headed eastbound in Admiral, and it was abandoned in the Admiral Starbucks/Baskin-Robbins parking lot, where the driver bolted. Cimmery was caught after an extensive search and short foot chase.
New information in the charging documents says a friend of the suspect lives in a trailer at the Burien location where Cimmery told police he stashed the stolen guns. Cimmery is reported to have told police he didn’t intend to commit a burglary but was driving around in West Seattle and happened to see the victims leaving their house. He said he then parked the rented car in the driveway and knocked on two doors at the house; when no one answered, he pushed on a large glass window that opened, and that’s how he got inside. He told police the guns he stole were in a closet next to a gun safe, so, he said, he left the house with the guns and jewelry to get bolt cutters to bring back for breaking into the safe. The neighbor said he drove off after that second approach when he saw her come out of her house with a phone, intending to get a photo or video.
He has been out of jail since late last Monday night, after posting bond on $10,000 bail. Along with charges, prosecutors asked for a higher bail, but what’s on file suggests that was not granted. He will be expected back in court before month’s end to answer the charges.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Kelly, a stolen-car report:
1997 silver Honda Accord SE stolen from Gatewood neighborhood somewhere between 9 pm (Saturday) and 10 am today
License plate AVD5132
Police notified and report taken.
If you see it, call 911.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this evening – both requesting your help:
STOLEN ELECTRIC BICYCLE: The theft victim’s co-worker sent the notice on her behalf, saying the bike was stolen in the Admiral area last night:
My bike was stolen last night on California Ave. Please Please keep your eyes peeled for it. This bike is very important to me. It has black saddle bags that say Rad Power Bikes, a green Army bag on the handlebars, a silver handlebar behind the seat and it’s missing the front fender.
Please help me find it so I can again be as happy as I was in this picture! If anyone has info they can contact Freshy’s West Seattle, (206) 937-4316.
QUADRUPLE HIT AND RUN: From Fawn:
I’m writing you to report an incident that occurred this morning while our 11 year old son was playing soccer at the EC Hughes Playfield. Our vehicle along with three other family vehicles were side swept by a silver sedan. The car was driving erratically when it crashed into the side of the 1st car and continued to drag along the 3 other cars. A witness was able to snap a quick photo of the silver sedan as it sped away without stopping. The driver is possibly a male, but the witness did not get a good look of identifiable features. Luckily no children or adults were struck as this a busy playfield and playground for families. The incident occurred at 29th and Holden around 11:30. Attached is a photo of the getaway vehicle, but unfortunately it is too blurry to make out the license plate.
From the photo, you can see the car is a silver sedan with a rear spoiler. The car will have obvious body damage with blue/black markings from hitting the parked cars. Any help from the West Seattle community would be greatly appreciated in helping the police identify the hit and run suspect.
Please contact officer Garth Lindelf from the Southwest Precinct Patrol and reference incident #16-418443. Thank you and I appreciate any help in bringing this dangerous driver to justice.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
CAR THEFT: Sarah reports her 2010 graphite Subaru Outback was stolen early this morning in the 3700 block of SW Cloverdale [map]. Plate 872ZGT. Call 911 if you see it.
CAR PROWLS: We’re about four blocks west of Sarah and found that both of our cars had been prowled early this morning. The only evidence: The glove boxes were open and what few bits of trash were in them were strewn around. Apparently we left them unlocked last night because we changed our plans at the last minute regarding heading out to community meetings. Two connector/charger cords stolen; we keep them in one car because sometimes breaking-news coverage requires recharging the phones. We’ve filed a police report online – if it happens to you, here’s where to start.
ITEMS FOUND NEAR CHURCH: Stolen? Lost?
The finder, who asked to be anonymous, reports, “I found a pile of items in the alley parking lot (near Tibbetts United Methodist Church at 3940 41st SW). It looks as though maybe someone’s car was stolen or broken into and these items were thrown aside. It includes some Rick climbing gear like shoes, a harness, a clamp, etc., some clothing and several books. No names that I could see. If someone is missing these things I have given them to the office staff at the church.” You can call Tibbetts UMC (a WSB sponsor) to ask about the items, 206-932-7777.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Almost two months after the city filed civil lawsuits over the illegal cutting of more than 100 trees on public land in East Admiral, we’re hearing from some of the defendants – via court documents.
Two defendants are asking that the suits be stayed because they expect criminal charges, saying that answering the lawsuits would violate their Fifth Amendment rights.
Two others are asking that the suits be dismissed.
First – a quick recap: Back in September, five months after the illegal tree-cutting came to light, on city-owned Duwamish Head Greenspace parcels, City Attorney Pete Holmes announced lawsuits seeking more than $1.6 million in damages. Those sued by the city included three couples who own nearby homes, two people alleged to have been involved in the cutting, and various unnamed “John/Jane Does.”
None commented after the lawsuits were announced, but some responses from defendants have been filed in recent weeks, we discovered during a routine check of the online Superior Court files. The responses vary and include motions to dismiss one suit and delay another – the latter, with a contention that criminal charges are expected (something the City Attorney said in September could be possible). Read More
From Michael:
We live in the North Admiral area (5000 block of Waite) and last night our car seems to have been burgled. Glove box and center console were found open with items strewn about. Nothing of any value seems to have been taken. However, on the hood of the car we found a file folder containing hundreds of laminated cards with information about various wines.
I’ve attached photos of the file folder and a couple examples of the laminated cards. Hoping to get this back to the owner as it is apparent a lot of work went into making these. And I’m assuming they got robbed last night as well.
Are these yours – or do you recognize them, maybe from a local shop or winery? Please comment, or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you.
If you have had a bicycle stolen, we hope you have reported it to police – online or otherwise – to increase the chances it will find its way back to you, if found. Meantime, we publish reports of found-and-likely-abandoned-after-being-stolen bikes; here are four more:
FROM TT: Abandoned bicycle in the Roxhill area:
“There has been an abandoned bike in my alley for the past few days. It’s at the alley entrance on Cambridge Street, between 34th and 35th Avenues.”
FROM TP: Three abandoned bicycles on Pigeon Point:
“The pink and purple bikes are off to the side of the Andover stairs between 21st & 22nd Aves SW. The green bike is at 19th & Andover.”
IF YOU FIND A BIKE: Please let police know, and then tell us so we can get the word out too. If SPD can’t trace a bicycle through its serial number and a theft report, the bicycle might turn up on its @getyourbikeback Twitter feed.
| 16 COMMENTS