Thanks for the texted tip about that sign on the door at West of Chicago Pizza (37th/Alaska), closed today because of an early-morning break-in. We went over and talked with proprietor Shawn, who said the burglar(s) got away with some cash. He’s closed today mostly to recover, as he got the alarm company call around 2 am – when he arrived, police were already there – and it was understandably hard to sleep after he returned home.

P.S. Shawn says this will NOT interfere with his plan to add a new feature at West of Chicago starting tomorrow – a game room.

ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Police are investigating gunfire reported in the 1000 block of Harbor Avenue SW [map]. Officers have told dispatch they’ve recovered “multiple casings” in the angle parking area at Duwamish Head. Someone reportedly was seen “shooting into the air.” No injuries reported.

SIDE NOTE: Residents of this area are hosting a public “town hall” with the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates next Thursday – details in our calendar listing.

ADDED MONDAY: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:

At 0229 hours, Dispatch received a call of shots fired in the 1100 block of Harbor Avenue Southwest. A witness stated that she saw two suspects exit a black hatchback vehicle and fire several shots. The suspects got back inside their vehicle and left Southbound on Harbor Avenue Southwest. Fired cartridge casings were recovered in the area. Officers conducted an area search but didn’t locate the suspects.

ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: Police are investigating what was dispatched as “road rage” gunfire near 7th SW and SW Cambridge [map] around 3 pm. Officers subsequently reported finding casings at that intersection. The shooter was reported to have been in a newer-model white 4-door Toyota Camry, last seen headed “eastbound.” No injuries or property damage reported.

ADDED MONDAY: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:

At 1500 hours, officers responded to a shooting/Road Rage call at Southwest Cambridge Street and 7th Avenue Southwest. The victim advised that a white vehicle was driving fast and cutting vehicles off. The victim turned onto 7th Avenue Southwest and the suspect’s vehicle followed him. The victim advised that the suspect pulled along the side of his car and fired rounds at him. The suspect left the area heading eastbound on Southwest Cambridge Street. The victim sustained no injury and no damage to his vehicle. Officers conducted an area search, but the suspect was not located. Officers located shell casings at the intersection.

ORIGINAL THURSDAY REPORT: Police have so far reported recovering at least three shell casings at the scene of gunfire reports near 37th/Manning. No word of any injuries or property damage. So far the only description information is “black sedan.”

ADDED MONDAY: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:

At 2257 hours, officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 3700 block of 37th Avenue Southwest. Officers recovered shell casings from the intersection of 37th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Manning Street. Video was provided to officers showing two vehicles entering the intersection. A road rage ensued whereupon several shots were fired from one fleeing car. No victim located.

3:24 PM: We asked SPD today for followup information on a burglary-attempt arrest at 24th/Henderson last night, with officers reporting they found two guns on and near the suspect. They’ve added the incident to SPD Blotter. Police say they were called around 7:45 pm by a resident in the 9200 block of 22nd SW reporting “a man was trying to pry open the front door of his home with an unknown object. The caller yelled at the man to stop, but the (would-be burglar) didn’t flee until he heard the approaching police sirens.” Officers found a 20-year-old suspect nearby; he tried to run, throwing a gun out of his pocket. They caught him and found another gun in his pants. The SPD Blotter post included these images of the two handguns, and ammunition.

The suspect was booked into King County Jail.

11:14 PM: And after 24 hours, he was released from jail. We don’t have the court documents so we don’t know whether it was bail, recognizance, or lack of probable cause. He does not appear to have a record.

8:59 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “scenes of violence” response to California SW in the Zeeks/Whisky West/Beveridge Place Pub area for a report of a stabbing. Police have already detained two people and recovered a knife. More to come.

9:04 PM: Police have told dispatch that the victim’s injuries are minor. We are headed to the scene to try to find out more.

9:19 PM: SPD and SFD at the scene tell us they’re still trying to sort out what did, and didn’t, happen.

9:23 PM: So far, here’s what police tell us they have: A man saw two juveniles tagging in The Junction. They followed him to Morgan Junction (by bus) and a confrontation ensued outside Whisky West. “Somebody” pulled a knife, apparently one of the two teenagers are who police detained, at least one of whom is being taken to the precinct. The reported victim has left the scene, and SFD told us they didn’t wind up treating anyone.

ADDED 1:59 PM: Commenters who were there have added much to the story. As for police, here’s the summary they provided us today:

-Police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 6400 block of California Ave SW yesterday at approximately 8:53 pm. The incident began some time earlier when a witness saw the two suspects vandalizing a mural several blocks away. The suspects saw the witness watching them and then proceeded to board the same bus as the witness. The suspects verbally engaged with the witness on the bus and attempted to spit on him. The witness disembarked from the bus and the suspects followed him, throwing beer bottles toward him.

The suspects followed the witness (now a victim) into a bar, entered the bar and started a verbal altercation with staff. The altercation quickly escalated to a physical fight. One suspect used brass knuckles and a knife to assault two people and was arrested for those crimes. The second suspect was arrested for misdemeanor assault and misdemeanor harassment (making threats).

SPD said someone WAS treated for non-life-threatening injuries, which hadn’t happened while we were at the scene, so we’re circling back with them.

In Crime Watch this afternoon:

STORE INCIDENT: If you noticed police in The Junction – they are investigating a report of what was first reported as a shoplift-turned-robbery at Junction TrueValue but is now described as a case of felony harassment/threat to kill. It happened after 1 pm. The suspect is reported to have said he had a gun. According to what officers told dispatch, was described in part as Hispanic, late teens to early 20s, around 6 feet tall, thin, carrying a black skateboard, headed southeast toward the nearby 7-11.

7:20 PM UPDATE: At tonight’s HPAC meeting (still under way), second-watch commander Lt. Grant Ballingham said that suspect had been found and arrested. He also said it was the second incident of the day at TrueValue, after a “robbery by force” earlier – no arrest in that one.

(back to original report) We’ve received several reader reports since last night:

CAR BATTERY THEFT: Sent by Dustin:

Just wanted to report a car battery theft at 42nd and Genesee last night! I haven’t seen this happen before in this neighborhood. Jeep Wrangler, no damage to the exterior of the vehicle. Just a popped hood.

SLASHED TIRES: From A: “Two tires slashed on my SUV Tuesday, 8-11 pm – parked east side of Avalon, bridge-side of the Rapid Ride stop.”

ABANDONED CAR: A texter spotted what appeared to be another dumped Kia near Hanford/California this morning:

Reminder that the Southwest Precinct is giving out steering-wheel locks again tonight, 5-7 pm, for people with Kia/Hyundai cars.

NEW TACTIC? Last but not least, this alert from Dan, who sent it late last night – what happened wasn’t a crime but he is concerned it might be a new tactic for setting people up:

Last week you reported the rear-end attempted carjackings and now it looks like they have evolved into a new method. I just had a van pull up beside me and honk their horn at me. The guy pointed back and I rolled my window down. He told me my tail lights were out. He was in a van and seemed to have a passenger or 2 in back. I got an uneasy feeling and when I looked in my mirror I could see the red glow in the car behind me of my tail lights working. Wonder what would have happened if I got out to check them. Please advise our community to watch out for this move.

From the inbox:

STOLEN HYUNDAI KONA: Elizabeth reports:

My car was stolen this morning around 3:00 on 45th Ave/SW Wildwood Place, I didn’t see who did it but was awakened by a car horn going off, I looked out the window and saw it at the stop sign being driven off. There was a white SUV vehicle following very close behind it, blocking other vehicles from proceeding by, around the corner near the Fauntleroy YMCA/Church there seemed to be some kinda backup with a loud pop, lights, then this sorta gold color I believe a Kia vehicle made a U-turn around the vehicles and sped off. It was bizarre. I did report this to the police about my car, if anyone at that time 3:00 am seen or heard anything please report it to the police. My license # is CBM1164, 2019 WHITE HYUNDAI KONA, the passenger side has a missing handle on it, tinted windows, and the gas cover is black. Police incident # 23-278858.

STOLEN SCOOTER: Jeb reports:

Stolen 9/23-9/24 in the night. Stolen from the Westside Flats apartments. Black double motor fat-tire scooter. blue glowing ring when it’s on. Has front and back suspension. No Moter sounds. Bike cuffs are silver and black. Head/taillights w/ turn signals are built in.There are some modifications made since this photo was taken. A plastic Predator skull (from the Predator movies) is on the front light. Also a pair of industrial motorcycle bike cuffs are under the front wheel. A more aggressive handlebar set with review mirrors.

No police report # yet.

Two weeks ago today, a West Seattle woman was robbed at gunpoint at the BECU ATM next to the Mobil gas station in Morgan Junction. Tonight, we are sharing her open letter of gratitude to those who helped her afterward:

I write to express my thanks to all of you who helped out a couple weeks ago.

As you may have read about in the WSB post, I was robbed at gunpoint at the ATM on a bright and sunny Sunday morning (September 10). The incident took place so quickly that I could hardly believe it happened, though I’m pretty sure I immediately went into shock. Afterward, I remember running into the gas station area asking for help, that I’d just been robbed. Apparently, I was also repeating the license plate number of the getaway car over and over, though I didn’t realize I was doing that out loud!

I am so very grateful for all of you that helped out in that moment, with your time and energy, kindness and compassion. I’d sometimes wondered how people could be helped out in an incident and afterward not know the names of the people who had helped them. And now, well, I understand! I have no idea what any of your names are. I don’t know where you live, or what you do.

What I DO know is this. I remember a man in a reddish button-up shirt who walked over to me, asked if I wanted a hug (I did), asked if my car was still there (it was), asked if I wanted to sit down, and walked me over to sit down in my car while encouraging me to breathe. I remember him saying that he didn’t have his phone that day, or he’d loan it to me to call home (I did not yet realize that I still HAD my phone in the car). I also remember three different people who all had their phones out talking to 911 so quickly after I asked for help. I’m not sure if they were the same ones, but there were also multiple people who came and checked in on me and expressed concern before they headed out. There was a woman across the street who noticed “an odd number of people really close to the ATM,” and took a picture of the getaway car as it peeled out and drove away. She stuck by me the whole rest of the time, passed her phone to me to talk to 911 dispatch, and just made sure I was okay through the whole conversation with police and until my family came. Her consistent presence and empathy made all of it much easier.

The police also showed up quickly, and the officer who talked with me was calm and supportive the whole time. I noticed in the background all the other police officers buzzing around and talking with all of you who were in the gas station or parking lot when it happened.

I hope I thought to say thank you in the moment, but I’m honestly not sure if I did. So here it is again. Thank you so very much to all of you who supported me right after the robbery. It was such a scary experience, but then followed immediately with kindness. Though all of you were strangers, I felt well taken care of until my family arrived. I’m holding on to that gratefulness as I process all of the other feelings that come up.

I appreciate you!

If you have any tips in the case, the police incident # is 23-262270.

Two reader reports today:

MAILBOX PROWLER: Sent by Kevin:

This happened at 4:40 AM this morning, I live (in the 3800 block of) 34th Ave. SW. It looks like she sees the camera, and puts the hoodie over her head before she reaches in to see if there’s any mail. It also looks like she has other packages from pick-ups earlier. Looks like there’s someone in the background across the street, like a partner. I’m waiting on my Amazon order for my new locked mailbox.

DUMPED STOLEN PACKAGE, MAIL: Via text:

Stolen mail and package found in compost bin near Westwood, from 11th Ave. SW, initials of package are S.G.

If that might be you, let us know and we’ll connect you.

Reported by Isam:

My silver 2019 Kia Optima has been stolen from the Jefferson Square parking lot, around 7 pm in the Safeway parking lot. It has black trim, black wheels, and left side of the bumper is slightly out. License plate is BWR8910.

Here’s what happened after court appearances this afternoon for two people arrested in West Seattle Thursday afternoon/evening.

HELICOPTER SEARCH: The most notable arrest was that of a 33-year-old man who became the subject of an air and ground search for two hours after being spotted naked, possibly with a “knife or box cutter,” near the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. He was found in a brushy area between the 10200 blocks of 47th SW and Marine View Drive. (A commenter says the machete police reported finding near him was taken from their nearby yard.) He was released after today’s initial appearance. We haven’t yet seen the documents we requested from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, so we don’t know why, and whether he might still face charges. The jail docket shows he spent four days in jail last month after being arrested elsewhere in King County on suspicion of trespassing and resisting arrest.

ADDED 7:39 PM: Moments after publishing this, Casey McNerthney from the KCPAO explained what happened, saying he wasn’t even sent before a judge because the case was weak:

There was little information in the initial document we received that showed his intent to commit a crime or clearly steal something, which we need to clearly show in a probable cause argument before a judge. The house was not lived in. That and a detail that a worker at the construction site offered him a cookie and then he left works against our argument for probable cause for burglary on a felony matter (rather than criminal trespass).

In previous unrelated cases, courts have only found probable cause for criminal trespass when someone is in a space unlawfully but without a clear intent to commit a crime – and in Seattle that gross misdemeanor crime of criminal trespass has to go to the City Attorney’s Office.

But if more information emerges, McNerthney says, charges could still eventually be filed.

BURGLARY SUSPECT: As mentioned briefly in our coverage of that story – and by two commenters – another man was arrested on suspicion of burglarizing a house north of Fauntleroy Park. He is 30 years old and probable cause was found this afternoon to hold him for investigation of burglary. The court document says police who were “in the area on another call” saw him enter a residential garage and start “rummaging around.” The house’s resident was home at the time and said the suspect was a stranger who didn’t have permission to be there, so he was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary. The KCPAO’s office says bail wasn’t addressed today – that’ll be at another hearing. Records show the suspect has one prior felony conviction in King County, for assault, seven years ago.

(Courtroom image via Zoom. Claudia Mason at lower right, Mohamed Yusuf with lawyer at center table)

After an hour-long hearing in King County Superior Court, Judge Andrea Darvas gave the man who hit and killed Robb Mason a slightly longer sentence than prosecutors recommended in his plea bargain: 4 years. The recommendation had been just under 3 1/2 years, but the judge said that while she usually follows agreed-to recommendations, “it’s not enough in this case.” She sentenced 21-year-old Mohamed A. Yusuf – who pleaded guilty last week to vehicular homicide and hit-and-run – after hearing from Mr. Mason’s widow and her brother, and from Yusuf and a cousin. In opening the hearing (which we covered via Zoom), prosecutor Amy Freedheim lauded the painstaking investigation through which SPD Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives found Yusuf, enabling him to be charged, almost half a year after he hit and killed Mr. Mason just east of the low bridge, as the victim rode his bike home to Magnolia from his job as a West Seattle massage therapist. That is a career to which he changed in his 40s – 20 years before his death – his brother-in-law told the judge, a change he made because he “chose to care” about people and wanted to help them heal. “In the blink of an eye, this remarkable man was taken away from us.”

Claudia Mason told the judge that she has counted the days since her husband was killed – 434 so far – because “each day is another day of the life sentence” with which Yusuf’s actions left her. She said her husband was so healthy, he could have lived another 30 to 40 years and that’s time they could have spent together. “I believe Robb went directly to heaven, but I went straight to hell.” She called Yusuf, sitting in the courtroom feet away from her, “reckless, vicious, callous, cruel … a coward” and “a thief,” declaring that he “stole my life from me … nothing is the same.” She spoke not only of the ongoing pain but also of what happened that night – she didn’t know what had happened to him for hours – and days after, unable to see his “annihilated” body until the funeral. She told the judge that leniency would only do “more harm.”

But leniency is what Yusuf’s defense lawyer asked for, proposing a “first-time offender waiver.” Judge Darvas said that request was a surprise, as she hadn’t received the standard pre-sentencing report from the lawyer, who went on to say that her client had lost his jobs (security and food-delivery driving) while at home under electronic “house arrest” since the charges were filed in January. A cousin spoke briefly to vouch for Yusuf’s character, and then Yusuf spoke: “Please forgive me if you can – I was stupid and ignorant” and, he contended, so afraid afterward that “I didn’t know what to do.”

Facing a courtroom with more than 20 people in the gallery (another two dozen online) and photos of Mr. Mason on easels and benches, Judge Darvas then spoke, saying that Yusuf owed two things: To live a life that would make up for cutting Mr. Mason’s life short, and “a penalty.” She told Yusuf that what he did was “breathtakingly selfish and self-absorbed” and chided him for not taking responsibility “until the police found you.” The judge also acknowledged receiving many community letters and reading them.

It was noted early in the hearing that the 256 days which Yusuf has spent on electronic home monitoring will be applied to the 4-year sentence as “credit for time served.” He will also face a year of community custody (probation) after he is released. Once the proceedings ended, with various paperwork, he was handcuffed and taken out of the courtroom by deputies.

12:01 PM: Sent by Patrick:

My motorcycle was stolen this morning (9/21) at about 6:30 am from West Seattle at 50th SW and Edmunds. It is a blue and white Yamaha TTR 230, model year 2006. There is a custom headlight on the bike.

I’ve reported to Seattle Police and have a case number 23-274030. Plate number: 1J2831.

I’ve attached a picture of the bike and a picture of the truck that stole it, captured from a Ring doorbell.

12:24 PM: And just in, a stolen-car report from Tim:

Our 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, dark blue, was stolen from in front of our home on Morgan Street in High Point last night between Midnight and 7 AM. License Plate: AZM6424. Police Incident #23-273979. This is an older photo – the damage to the front fender being recorded here was repaired and the car was recently washed, showing off its dark blue.

FRIDAY UPDATE: This car was found – used in a pot-shop crash-and-grab in SODO early today.

2:35 AM: Police are back at the 35th/Roxbury east-side strip mall right now, after a reported crash-and-grab attempt a short time ago at Global Smoke & Vape, burglarized via vehicle five times in the last four weeks, including the last two days in a row. This time, though, it didn’t work, according to what police have reported so far. But the attempt apparently also did some damage to A Pizza Mart next door, officers told dispatch. In this attempt, so far the burglars’ vehicles were described as silver (possibly Hyundai) and black sedans; the silver car has rear-end damage and one broken light on each end.

10:13 AM: Bollards are now in place outside the shop. Our photographer just went by:

A crew is there working on the steel gate, too.

(WSB photo)

For the second morning in a row and fifth time in less than four weeks, crash-and-grab burglars have hit Global Smoke and Vape at 35th and Roxbury.

This time it happened just before 3:30 am. The shop owner shared that photo of the stolen Kia Optima used to crash into the storefront – the burglars (up to five people, according to early police reporting) left it at the scene before getting away in another car. A nearby resident sent us this photo of that:

Something we noticed while at the store a little while ago – the concrete wheel stop in front of the store had been moved:

According to a police-radio exchange, the Kia was stolen in North Seattle. Previous Global Smoke & Vape crash-and-grabs we’ve covered in the past four weeks were <August 26th, September 6th, September 13th. and yesterday,

3:24 PM: A trend that police warned about earlier this month has suddenly shown up in West Seattle today. Right now police are investigating two reported carjacking attempts involving the would-be carjackers rear-ending (or otherwise bumping) someone, and then trying to carjack the unsuspected victim. One attempt is reported to have happened at Spokane/Harbor, one at Harbor/California. Both are reported to have involved a white Lexus LS 450 sedan with three or four people inside described only as male and black or Hispanic, at least one with a gun. If you have any tips, call 911.

3:33 PM: The Guardian One helicopter is expected to join the search, so if you see/hear it, that’s why. One victim said the armed would-be carjacker was in a tan sweatsuit and had a light streak in his hair.

5:24 PM: No further incidents reported so far.

Sentencing is scheduled this Friday for Mohamed A. Yusuf, who hit and killed bicyclist Robb Mason on July 15, 2022, just east of the low bridge. We learned today from Mr. Mason’s widow Claudia that Yusuf, who is 21 – one-third the age of the man he killed – pleaded guilty last week to vehicular homicide and felony hit-and-run. We’ve subsequently obtained the court documents. In them, Yusuf admits, “I was speeding twice the posted limit and crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a bicyclist who was crossing at an intersection. I killed him and drove away. I never called the police or reported the crash.” Yusuf was charged five and a half months after hitting Mr. Mason while driving his Hyundai Elantra at 52 mph; the victim was riding home to Magnolia from his job as a West Seattle massage therapist. Detectives identified Yusuf through evidence including debris at the scene, video from a Metro bus, and online records indicating he was aware of what he had done and had been reading news reports about it. He has been on electronic home monitoring ever since his arraignment. According to the plea-bargain court document, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is recommending a sentence totaling 41 months – just under 3 1/2 years – which is the low end of the “standard range.” (Yusuf has no criminal history.) King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas will sentence Yusuf at 1:45 pm Friday afternoon (September 22nd). Claudia Mason says anyone who wants to send a message to the judge before the sentencing can do so by the end of today via KCPAO victim advocate Kaili Brown at kaibrown@kingcounty.gov.

Two crash-and-grab burglaries to report:

GLOBAL SMOKE & VAPE, AGAIN: The all-too-familiar photo is from Sam, who was first to tip us that Global Smoke & Vape at 35th/Roxbury was broken into again, fourth time in three and a half weeks. It happened around 5:15 am. According to archived police/dispatch audio, the shop owner got an alarm notification and called police while watching the burglary on a video feed. A vehicle was used. Its description wasn’t discussed over the air but we followed up with SPD and they say it appears to likely have been a white SUV. Previous break-ins were on August 26th, September 6th, and September 13th.

MR. O.G. IN WHITE CENTER: Thanks to Zac for the tip and photo.

Zac noticed last night that the cannabis store at 9823 15th SW had the telltale boarded-up front. That’s in King County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, so we checked with them this morning. They say a vehicle was used to break into the shop early Monday and the burglars left the vehicle (no description given) behind,

More Crime Watch reports before the night’s out:

THREE MORE ROBBERIES: We don’t have a ton of details on these – the radio transmissions are spottier than usual tonight. Here’s what we have: A street robbery was reported around 8:30 pm in the 4400 block of 44th SW – not certain whether that is where it happened, or that’s what their victim reported it from. This reader photo shows part of the police response:

A white vehicle (not the one in the photo) was reported associated with the robber(s), possibly a RAV-4. Items taken were reported to have included a phone. … Then just before 10 pm, an armed robbery was reported at the 35th/Avalon 7-11. One robber, described as a Black man, 20 to 30 years old, 5’10” to 6 feet, in a blue hoodie and black ski mask, got away on foot. If you have any information, that robbery’s SPD incident # is 23-271572; the 44th case is 23-271510.

Then as we were writing this, around 11:50 pm, word came in of a “purse snatch” in the 4500 block of California, with a “silver car” possibly involved. We’ll add anything more we hear. Meantime, three other reports, all via email:

ANOTHER WESTWOOD CAR THEFT: From Stacey:

At 5:45 pm tonight, my husband witnessed three teens, get off the bus on SW Barton, head to the Target parking lot, and steal the ehite Hyundai on the picture below.

He tried to video it, but had trouble due to a truck in the way. The police incident report is 23-271416. The police sent someone to check out the area.

Finally, two package-related notes:

FOUND ON THE STAIRS: Chris found these on the Spokane Street Stairs:

He said they were “all Amazon” and he planned to take them to Alki Mail and Dispatch, so if you’re missing an Amazon package, you might check there tomorrow.

PACKAGE THEFT: A different Chris reports:

We had a package theft on September 11 but just discovered it today. We live in the Endolyne area near the ferry dock. We scanned our security camera and have photos of the gray car and the thief.

This clip shows the entire theft.