West Seattle, Washington

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Crime 6957 results

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 1 person shot on Harbor Avenue, after gunfire on Beach Drive
May 15, 2024 12:46 am
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

12:46 AM: Police are arriving in the 1100 block of Harbor Avenue, where a man is reported to have been shot in the leg. The four suspects are said to have fled southbound on Harbor in a black Acura MDX with no plates and tinted windows. Police are investigating whether this is related to a report that someone was shot at on Beach Drive by a black SUV with four people inside.

(Reader photo via text, Harbor Avenue scene)

12:49 AM: Officers just told dispatch they have found several casings at the Harbor Avenue scene. They’re closing the street in both directions while they investigate.

(Reader photo via text, Harbor Avenue scene)

12:53 AM: Police told dispatch they now do believe the two are related. The black Acura is reported to have one headlight out. Officers say they’ve found 23 casings; SFD is treating the injured person, who they say has “minor injuries to the ankle.” The Beach Drive gunfire location, meantime, is described as near Andover.

1:04 AM: Officers investigating the Beach Drive report say they’ve found one casing so far, in the 4000 block. … Minutes later, a second one near Carroll (Weather Watch Park cross-street).

1:24 AM: Now the Beach Drive investigation is “up to five casings.” Meantime, the Harbor Avenue victim is reported to have had injuries so relatively minor that he declined to be taken to a hospital.

ADDED MONDAY: SPD summarized the incident on its SPD Blotter website over the weekend. As we noted in a followup mention Friday in our report on the Alki Community Council’s meeting, it appears the one person who was injured was shot after a traffic-related dispute.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police release video of arrests in April incident
May 14, 2024 9:17 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

That’s an edited video released by Seattle Police tonight showing two arrests – one following a foot pursuit that crossed SW Roxbury at one point – following an incident two weeks ago at the Walgreens in South Delridge. The accompanying SPD Blotter post says it happened the evening of April 28; police were flagged down about a cash-register theft at the store, and as the video shows, they were there as a 20-year-old woman walked out of the store holding the stolen register; it took a while longer to arrest the 40-year-old man they say was with her – the video shows him initially walking away, unchallenged. Police say both were booked into jail that night, the woman for theft and unlawful gun possession, the man for obstructing a law enforcement officer and “a previous incident of domestic violence.” We don’t know whether either was subsequently charged, as we won’t be able to get their names until tomorrow.

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West Seattle church/synagogue hit by vandalism/theft multiple times. You’re invited to be part of ‘joyful event’ in response
May 13, 2024 5:56 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(Alki UCC photo: Celebration for newest banners, March 14 – before yet another act of vandalism)

The church Alki UCC and the synagogue Kol HaNeshamah have shared the building at 6115 SW Hinds for more than 20 years. Both hold not only regular services but also do community work as part of their commitment to social justice. And they’ve been dealing with a recurring problem: “In the past nine months, the Pride/Trans and Black Lives Matter banners hanging from the front of our building were vandalized and replaced multiple times. After the fifth recent vandalism, we began to imagine together the possibility of a different response.” You’re invited to be part of that response; details shortly, but first, here’s what’s happened so far:

ï‚· August 7, 2023: Rainbow Pride Flag and Trans Pride Flag torn down by unknown perpetrator. A police report was filed; we immediately replaced the flags.

ï‚· February 18, 2024: Rainbow Pride Flag and Trans Pride Flag torn down; report filed.

ï‚· February 27, 2024: Black Lives Matter Flag torn from its frame and security camera cord severed. Police report filed.

ï‚· On March 10, higher-quality Pride Progress Flag and Black Lives Matter flags installed on sturdy frames and dedicated on March 17.

ï‚· March 23, 2024: Black Lives Matter flag removed from its frame and later found in the street. The Progress Pride flag was partially removed from its frame. The security camera cord had been severed. Police report was filed, and the flags were replaced the same day.

ï‚· March 29, 2024: Black Lives Matter flag ripped, removing 2/3 of the image, and not recovered. Police report filed.

Rather than immediately replacing the Black Lives Matter banner after that last incident, the congregations “consulted with a local artist to collaborate on how to best transform the sign into a statement of love and justice. The words of the prophet Amos, quoted by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., called to us: ‘Let justice roll down like water.’ The scripture text will be highlighted with a river of grace flowing from the torn edge.”

As part of that, the congregations invite the community to join them in front of the building on Sunday (May 19) between 11:15 am and 12:30 pm: “50 days after the tearing of the flag, we will gather together to paint the prophetic words and evocative image on the sign.” The community is invited “to join us to add their personal expression to this community collaboration by painting a letter or splash of river. We’ll have art tables with materials for all to imagine what justice looks like.” They promise it will be an “all-ages joyful event” also including refreshments and “a sing-along to songs of love and justice with Alki UCC Music Director Stephen Anthony Rawson.”

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Concerned about crime and other safety issues? Mayor’s regional forum Tuesday for West Seattle/South Park
May 13, 2024 4:02 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you want to hear what the city is doing about crime and/or other public-safety issues – and share your thoughts about what you’d like to see done – here’s another reminder: Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 14) brings Mayor Harrell‘s regional public-safety forum. It’s happening at 6 pm at Concord International Elementary School, 723 S. Concord in South Park (here’s a map). This is the third in a series of five, one in each of the city’s SPD-precinct areas (the Southwest Precinct serves both West Seattle and South Park). Here’s how the format’s been described in media advisories:

The public forum is part of a series of forums held in neighborhoods with community members across Seattle over the next month to share more about Mayor Harrell’s public safety framework and to receive input and feedback on safety priorities, allowing neighbors to engage in direct conversation with City leaders and representatives on public safety ideas and solutions.

Mayor Harrell and City leaders will make opening remarks, followed by interactive input sessions for participants. Community members will rotate in small groups to engage directly with City leaders and provide input informing action and policy priorities.

According to an SPD event announcement, these are the city departments expected to be represented:

Seattle Police Department
Seattle Fire Department
CARE (Community Assisted Response & Engagement Team)
Seattle Police Department Alternative Response Team
PARKS – Park Rangers
Seattle Police Department Youth Liaison
Department of Education and Early Learning
Seattle Department of Transportation
King County Metro
Department of Neighborhood
Office of Economic Development
(corrected) Human Services Department
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

They’re asking for attendees to RSVP – you can do that here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Outback (update: found)
May 12, 2024 12:09 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Reported by Reg:

Our 2018 Blue Subaru Outback (CBB2114) was stolen last night from (the 3700 block of) Belvidere Ave SW. I’ve got some camera footage of the guy.

We’ll add the police-report number when we get it. (Added: 24-128963) Call 911 if you see the car.

THURSDAY UPDATE: Reg commented below that it’s been found, on Capitol Hill.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglar poses as salesperson
May 10, 2024 5:30 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A reader near the south end of Lincoln Park reports a burglary at their home around 1:30 pm Wednesday, with images from their security camera:

This guy came to my door trying to pose as some sort of a salesman and as soon as he determined we were not home broke into our house and helped himself. His shirt is very distinctive and he has a tattoo on his left arm.

The police incident is # 24-125113. We asked SPD for any additional details from the report; they told us, “Officers found a sliding glass door forced open and searched the home. It appeared someone had ransacked several rooms.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation
May 10, 2024 12:23 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, EARLY FRIDAY: Police following up on multiple 911 calls about suspected gunfire have confirmed it. Officers just told dispatch they’ve found “a bunch of casings” at 32nd SW and SW Raymond, plus “bullet damage” at a nearby residence. No word of any injuries, and no description of who was responsible, though the 911 callers were reported to have heard “a vehicle” in the area.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: A few more details from the SPD incident summary:

At 0011 hours, officers responded to a shots fired call near 32 Ave SW/SW Raymond St. The suspect exited the vehicle and shot at least 29 rounds at a house. The house was struck multiple times, and it was occupied by five children and three adults. Officers arrived and checked on the welfare of the occupants of the house. Officers checked other houses nearby. The occupants didn’t report any injuries.

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New public-safety director for mayor’s office: West Seattleite Natalie Walton-Anderson
May 8, 2024 1:14 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

At the top of the list of mayor’s-office cabinet/staff changes announced today is a new role for a West Seattle resident: Natalie Walton-Anderson is the new director of public-safety for Mayor Bruce Harrell. Until recently, Walton-Anderson led the criminal division in City Attorney Ann Davison‘s office, appointed by Davison in 2021. Today’s announcement also notes her background includes management roles in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. You can likely expect to see her at next Tuesday’s mayoral public-safety forum for District 1, 6 pm at Concord International Elementary in South Park (RSVP required – the link is in our calendar listing).

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CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Elantra
May 7, 2024 9:09 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Natalie:

My Hyundai Elantra 2020, white, was stolen at 3:50 pm at the Ross parking lot in Seattle. It has an immobilizer installed and a wheel club on.

**Reported Stolen to SPD**
License Plate BYG3433

Call 911 if you see it.

9:36 PM NOTE: Natalie clarifies that while she lives in West Seattle, her car was stolen outside the Ross store on Rainier Avenue.

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CRIME WATCH: Store crash-and-grab; car windows broken
May 7, 2024 5:36 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports in Crime Watch:

CRASH-AND-GRAB: Shorewood Grocery at 10455 26th SW has been hit by cmash-and-grab burglars again. Thanks to Waikikigirl for the tip and photo:

Since the store is in unincorporated North Highline, we checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office. Spokesperson Sgt. Eric White confirmed it was a burglary, adding: “Damage to front structure from possible stolen white Hyundai left running at the scene. Currently it is unknown as to the value of damage or value of any (if any) items stolen. No suspects in this case and the incident is currently an active and open investigation.” This isn’t the first crash-and-grab at this store; we reported on one last June, in which the burglars stole the store’s ATM.

CAR WINDOWS BROKEN: Reader report via text:

At least a couple of cars got windows smashed in on 45th Ave SW just north of the Junction probably right around 2:30 pm. Totally random (at least seemingly) and no attempt at theft, just vandalism. Our neighbors were hit (45th & Dakota).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Advertising-wrapped truck stolen, linked to car prowl (update: found)
May 4, 2024 6:45 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

You might have seen this truck parked in various West Seattle spots the past few days:

Aside from what it’s advertising (we have a separate story to come about Lauren’s closure plan) – if you have seen the truck today, please tell police where, and refer to case # 24-121342 – because it was stolen last night. Before we found out about that, a reader sent this photo after their security camera caught people using the truck in a car prowl early this morning:

That was around 5 am in the 5200 block of 46th SW; someone from the box truck broke the driver-side window on a parked truck, but apparently an alarm then spooked them into taking off. The reader says the truck came by, apparently to case, a few minutes before returning for the prowl.

UPDATE: As discussed in comments (and confirmed by Lauren’s), the truck’s been found.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: ‘Foot pursuit’ after stolen vehicle spotted in Morgan Junction
May 3, 2024 3:39 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

3:39 PM: Not related to the bank robbery, according to police, but they’ve just run after – and detained – two people near California/Fauntleroy. This started when officers spotted a stolen car, occupied and moving. The driver pulled into the Thriftway parking lot, and two people were seen running shortly thereafter, with police chasing them on foot. We haven’t yet heard a description of the car, which is apparently still in the Thriftway lot.

3:43 PM: Officers just told dispatch the plates on the car are from a different car. Meantime, an officer is reported to have minor injuries, reportedly from “hopping a fence” in the foot pursuit.

ADDED: This GMC Yukon is the stolen vehicle that was recovered:

According to radio traffic, it was taken in Federal Way.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Sound Credit Union robbed again
May 3, 2024 3:21 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

3:21 PM: Police are arriving in The Junction to look for a robber. According to the address given by dispatch, it happened at Sound Credit Union – which recently announced its plan to close the branch at the end of June. The robber is described as a white man in his late 20s, 5-9, medium build, light hair, baseball cap, blue face mask, “with cash in hand.” The branch was robbed three times last year.

3;27 PM: Police have added clothing to the description – blue bandanna around his neck, light blue T-shirt, dark blue shirt beneath, blue jeans, green baseball cap.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen VW Westfalia camper van (update: found)
May 2, 2024 8:01 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL THURSDAY NIGHT REPORT: Another stolen van – this one, reported by Shawn:

Unfortunately I’m writing to request help in locating my Westy. She’s a 1984 Volkswagen Westfalia camper van. Beige with a different-color left front corner. She has an ARB awning on the right side and black rims. Washington plates BGK2325. It was stolen by the Trader Joe’s from around 5 pm to 7 pm today. Her name is Gertie.

No police report # yet but call 911 if you see it.

3:49 PM FRIDAY: After all the sightings reported in comments (thank you!), Shawn just emailed to say Gertie has been found.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Chevrolet conversion van
May 2, 2024 9:54 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL THURSDAY REPORT: Reported by Pierre via email:

!997/98 Chevy Express 1500 Conversion Van:

Plate # BYD-6191, dark blue with wave graphics on both sides. Handicap placard was on rearview mirror when stolen, approximately between 12 am and 4 am [Wednesday]. Has 2 large windows on driver side and one on the other. Michelin raised white letter tires on after market rims with custom air valves and short bug shield on hood. Vehicle was taken from 5000 block of California SW. Heavy trailer hitch. SPD report # 24-118026.

Call 911 if you see it.

ADDED SATURDAY: Here’s a photo:

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another gunfire investigation
May 1, 2024 9:50 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

After 911 calls reporting what sounded like gunfire in the Westcrest Park area, police have just confirmed it – with an officer telling dispatch they’ve found “some casings” near the park’s southern entrance. For those not familiar with the area, this is about a mile east of the earlier gunfire scene; no way to know yet whether it’s related. Officers also have told dispatch that a witness reported seeing a white 4-door Honda Accord pull into the park entrance, with one person getting out, firing a gun into the park, then getting back in the car.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation at 20th/Barton
May 1, 2024 6:12 pm
|      50 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Added: WSB photos)

6:12 PM: Police are arriving at 20th/Barton, where they’ve reported finding “about 30 shell casings” after 911 calls about gunfire in the area. They also have just taken one possible suspect into custody. Another possible suspect was seen “southbound from Delridge and Henderson.” Updates to come.

6:15 PM: The Guardian One helicopter has arrived to help look. No word of any injuries.

6:20 PM: Now SFD is being called to Delridge/Henderson to treat a person who thinks they might have been “grazed” by a bullet. Also, a second possible suspect has been detained, officers have told dispatch.

6:25 PM: According to police radio, others might be involved and at large – officers have reviewed video that they say shows a black older Mercedes-Benz with no plates that was apparently involved, with four people inside.

6:30 PM: Officers have told dispatch that one of the people they detained is being released because they were not involved. They’re still searching for others. A K-9 team is joining.

6:44 PM: Our crew has arrived in the area and reports that in addition to the casings at 20th/Barton, which has been taped off, there’s another taped-off area nearby in which vehicles are visible with bullet holes.

6:55 PM: Guardian One has left for now because they’ve searched as thoroughly from the air as they can, pending new leads (but may return on a moment’s notice). The investigation on the ground is still very active. Police told us that despite the “possible grazing” report, they don’t have any word of injuries.

7:20 PM: Police continuing to search for evidence and suspects just told dispatch they’ve found two guns in the 9000 block of 21st SW. They’re described as an “AK” type gun and a Glock handgun. They confirmed over the radio with other officers that those types of casings have been found.

8:52 PM: No further updates. We likely won’t be able to confirm until tomorrow whether the person who was detained and not released was ultimately arrested. Meantime, at least one of the cars with bullet holes – the white Chrysler – was going to be impounded as “evidence,” according to radio exchanges.

ADDED FRIDAY: SPD tells us: “Several individuals were detained at different times/locations; all were interviewed and released. No suspects in custody currently.” So, no arrests. Also: “One of the involved parties sustained a minor injury, was treated by SFD, but the cause is not confirmed.”

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Police release video of West Seattle carjacking, pursuit that led to arrests in Burien. Here’s where the case stands
April 30, 2024 3:22 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Back on April 12, we reported on an armed carjacking in an alley near 35th/Roxbury that led to a pursuit and search ending with the arrest of two teenage boys in Burien. Today, Seattle Police released this video from that night two and a half weeks ago:

Days later, as we reported at the time, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against the 15- and 17-year-old suspects. We just checked the case files; both remain in secure detention – the 15-year-old suspect has another hearing tomorrow, while the 17-year-old is due back in court one week from today.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another stolen pickup –
April 29, 2024 10:17 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

As first mentioned in a comment below tonight’s earlier attempted-pickup-theft report, Stacia‘s truck has been taken too:

Our GMC 2500 truck was stolen at around 6:30 pm on Monday outside The Bridge restaurant on California Ave. It is champagne-colored with a black canopy. There is a fire fighter sticker on the back of the truck and the license plate # is C12280X. If seen, please call police. Incident #: 24-116220.

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READER REPORT: Suspected drunk driver crashes into Upper Morgan house
April 29, 2024 9:38 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

If you’ve traveled the SW Morgan hill east of Fauntleroy in the past few days, you might have noticed that plywood. Sabrina and Jenny sent the photos with word of what happened:

An unknown driver in an SUV crashed into (our) residence, 1:30 a.m. Thursday, SW corner of SW Morgan Street and 39th Avenue SW. It was late in the evening and the hill was wet with rain.

Police response was immediate. A patrol car was driving westbound on SW Morgan Street just after it happened and we did not have time to call 911. The driver fled but was apprehended, bleeding with a head wound, tended by fire fighters and taken away in a patrol car. Had our home not been reinforced with an above-ground concrete foundation on that corner, we would have awoken to the vehicle inside our building, built in 1915.

We sustained no interior damage but have been advised by the worker who temporarily weather-proofed the corner that our home has been structurally damaged. The corner beam is splintered and askew. We are awaiting assessment from our insurance company. We thank the officers and fire fighters on the scene and ask all drivers to consider their speed while driving. The accidents of late seem to be unreasonably violent for neighborhood streets with a 25 mph speed limit.

Sabrina and Jenny sent the photos and report over the weekend; we followed up with police today, and here’s the summary they provided: “When police arrived, there was no one in the car, but the driver returned to the scene. Investigators developed probable cause to arrest a 43-year-old man for DUI. He appeared to be hurt. Seattle fire crews responded to the scene to treat him and he was then taken to the hospital for further treatment. The man was the registered owner of the vehicle. It was towed from the scene.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Attempted F-350 truck theft
April 29, 2024 6:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We’ve received reader reports of two Ford F-350 pickup trucks stolen in the past week or so, and just received this text about an attempted theft a short time ago:

Attempted theft of my 2002 F-350 at 5:20 pm in front of my house 1500 block of 45th Ave SW:

Saw thief in my truck, heard truck attempting to start, I ran outside towards my truck, thief jumped out of my truck and into silver/ champagne Honda Civic license plate CAY7778 and took off.

Police were called.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green F-350 pickup truck
April 28, 2024 7:47 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just in via text, the second F-350 theft we’ve heard about this week:

Unfortunately, the West Seattle Rock Club show had a sad ending — one of our vendors had his truck stolen at 3:55 today from the Masonic Hall parking lot. 1999 green F-350 with silver canopy. License plate # (updated) B54044H. Stolen by thieves in a copper-colored truck with a triangle on the tailgate.

Call 911 if you see it. Police incident # is 24-115274.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Astro van (update: found)
April 28, 2024 12:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

That van belongs to Alex, who reports via email: “I came home from work on Saturday (4/28), to find out my van was stolen from 42nd Ave SW, just off of Juneau. It’s a blue 2004 Chevy Astro van with black wheels and black front bumper. License plate number CFH2656.” Police report # 24-114825. Call 911 if you see it.

UPDATE: Alex says the van’s been found.

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