West Seattle, Washington
05 Monday
(WSB photo)
3:07 PM: On 18th SW in Puget Ridge, north of Myrtle, police are investigating gunfire that hit a car. No one in that car (or elsewhere) is hurt, but it clearly has a bullet hole; its driver veered off the road after the bullet hit. Police are still in the area looking for shell casings and suspect(s) and talking to witnesses. More as we get it.
3:11 PM: According to scanner traffic, at least two casings have been found in the 7000 block of 18th. (The car that was hit is the Volvo in our photo.)
3:41 PM: Following up on discussion in the comments, we confirmed that Sanislo Elementary, near the scene, sheltered in place briefly, but that’s been lifted, and they are dismissing “normally,” per principal Bruce Rhodes, with whom our photographer spoke at the school.
3:52 PM: We just checked with SPD and there’s no further information available yet about circumstances, suspect, etc.
3:55 PM: Update on that: it’s now described as believed to be related to a “domestic dispute.” No arrest so far.
(UPDATED 10:39 AM with package-theft alert in Gatewood)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:22 AM: Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning. First, watch for Tony‘s stolen car:
I woke up this morning and went I to leave for work my car was gone. I reported my stolen car with SPD and my insurance. (3200 block of) California Ave (car was parked behind building in alley parking spot). 1998 Honda Civic 4 door sedan/Burgundy.Car has a laborers sticker in the back and a local 440 union sticker in rear window.
Here’s a photo of the plate in its distinctive holder:
One difference from the photo – the tabs have since been renewed, so they would read 10/2016. If you see the car, call 911.
Also from the WSB inbox this morning, Lindsey reports a weekend car prowl:
Just wanted to let you know over the weekend our car was prowled on 32nd Ave SW (near Genesee). We forgot to lock it and came out the next morning and found our center console rummaged through. I believe they only took an old iPod. I am about to report it on the police site next. But just a heads up for our neighbors.
And a followup on Jane‘s garage burglary on Genesee Hill, in which tools worth $1,800 were stolen, reported here December 4th. A neighbor’s surveillance camera yielded this image:
That’s as clear (and large) as it gets, she says, but if you think you recognize it, please contact her directly and/or share the tip with police by referring to case #15-420895, not in a comment; thanks.
ADDED 10:39 AM: Sarah in Gatewood just sent this, so we’re adding ASAP:
Just saw two males taking Amazon packages off a doorstep on Othello (3600 block). The driver was white – 30ish round face, the guy taking packages was maybe Asian/Mexican in a red and black oversize hoodie – he looked about 5’8 and skinny. It was an older white SUV, maybe a Ford – with a window that was broken out, but taped up on the driver’s side, and one of the driver-side doors had a big black circle. License plate ATS68–. Cops are being notified too.
In West Seattle Crime Watch: Two car-prowl reports. First, from the victim of one south of Morgan Junction – maybe you’ve seen one or more of the stolen items?
I want to report a brazen daytime car prowl in broad daylight. I’m a professional landscaper; this is my livelihood. I was working with my crew in the 6900 block of Frontenac [map] on Friday morning (Dec 11) between 9 am and 10 am, loading my truck with yard waste. When I had my back turned someone grabbed my bag from the front seat. The items of interest to the thief (iPhone and credit cards) are not as important to me as my: multicolored woven basket purse, canvas handbag with a ferris wheel on the flap, Key Bank checkbook and register, black spiral bound calendar, yellow legal pad, gray raincoat. If any neighbors see these items discarded, please add a comment. Incidentally, the thieves began charging on my credit card approximately 30 minutes after the theft: $750 at The Rack, lunch at McDonald’s, a couple of gas station purchases. Unbelievable.
This also is reported to have happened Friday:
Car prowled (Friday) night at SW Barton & 22nd Av SW [map], in the driveway. Nothing was in the car so nothing was stolen, but the glove box was open and the driver’s side door was ajar.
Crime report to share so your neighbors all around West Seattle know? Once you’ve reported it to police – send us the info too – editor@westseattleblog.com. If it’s breaking news, text or call 206-293-6302, any time day or night.
24-year-old Si A. Phu is now charged with first-degree murder in the deadly shooting of his 14-year-old niece Christy Phu, a freshman at Chief Sealth International High School, where friends and family gathered to honor her with a vigil Wednesday night. We’ve just obtained the court documents, which also include a charge of second-degree unlawful firearm possession – as a convicted felon, he wasn’t legally allowed to have a gun. The charging papers say the felony was a domestic-violence “cyberstalking” case from Snohomish County earlier this year, alleging that case and this one “illustrate a pattern of erratic, dangerous, and threatening behavior by the defendant when he does not get his way.”
The charging documents expand on what was outlined in the probable-cause paperwork earlier this week, alleging Si Phu shot and killed Christy because she refused to give him a pair of shoes. Investigators now say she reportedly did give him a pair of shoes, but they were not the ones he wanted. The dispute over the shoes is reported to have lasted over three hours of text messaging and in-person confrontation just before the deadly shooting, and included threats to kill Christy and her cousin, with whom she shared the Columbia City bedroom where she was shot. After the shooting, Si Phu is reported to have fled the house, where he had gone to watch football with family members; two days later, police spotted him in the Skyway area and arrested him. He claimed, they say, that the clash began with Christy trying to “rob” him. He said he then decided to “rob” her and “it all went bad.” He is reported to have told police that he feels “guilty” because “she didn’t deserve it” and he “only meant to hit her.”
Four West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports in this roundup – including one case of suspicious activity that wasn’t what it seemed to be. First, two burglaries (plus where police reports say others have happened) and a car prowl:
HIGHLAND PARK BURGLARY: From Cam:
7700 block of 17th Ave SW. Wednesday, Dec. 9, i came home to find back door ajar and the power turned off. the house was ransacked and discovered a number of apple electronic items and camera equipment missing. keep your eyes peeled and report any clues.
GATEWOOD BURGLARY: Vanessa says this is the getaway car used by burglars who hit a home near 39th SW & SW Kenyon in Gatewood on Sunday afternoon.
She says the red SUV was parked in her neighbors’ driveway and that a man ran from the side of the house “with the TV in hand.” Police were called and arrived quickly; a door and window were damaged, she says.
OTHER BURGLARY REPORTS: Though we’ve only found one since Monday on the SPD Police Reports map – – early Wednesday morning, a nonresidential break-in in the 4400 block of Fauntleroy – Tweets by Beat, collected on our Crime Watch page, reveal 11 others reported since Sunday (no details available in SPD’s online records, just times/locations, which is why reader reports are so helpful – editor@westseattleblog.com):
-Tonight, 7300 block 16th SW
-Tonight, 4800 block 21st SW
-This morning, 39th SW/SW Elmgrove
-Wednesday night, 7700 block 17th SW
-Wednesday night, 3000 block 52nd SW
-Early Wednesday, 37th SW/SW Oregon (commercial)
-Early Tuesday, 2500 block SW Trenton (commercial)
-Monday night, 4700 block 41st SW
-Monday night, 1700 block California SW
-Monday afternoon, 8500 block 14th SW
-Early Monday, 7200 block Detroit SW
CAR PROWL: From Kristiana:
Our car was rifled through last night at Spokane and 48th SW. Nothing of value to steal and no damage, but stuff was strewn on the seats and a door was left cracked open.
Yes, it’s been reported to police – even if nothing (or “nothing of value”) is taken, it’s important to file a report, and you can even do that online.
WHAT LOOKS SUSPICIOUS MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE: From a reader:
A package was delivered to our front door just after dark, and I wasn’t able to get to the door for a couple of minutes. When I went outside to retrieve the package, a young couple was walking down the sidewalk, shined a flashlight down the front walkway to my house, got into a Budget rental truck parked nearby and drove away relatively rapidly without saying anything.
Having received a recent SPD SW Precinct report concerning car prowls and package theft, which stated “Thieves will often follow or watch for FedEx, UPS, US Mail and other delivery trucks and then target a home after a delivery is made,” I was suspicious so I stood there watching what they were doing.
I started to call the SW Precinct’s non-emergency line (feeling like I was maybe be overly cautious) and then saw the same Budget truck drive by under a streetlight on the next block behind our home and heard them stop. So I called 911, thinking this was now too suspicious to not report immediately. The 911 operator took all of the information and said an officer would be sent to the area. I opted to not have an officer follow up, however, I had a call back from an officer within about 15 minutes.
They had stopped the truck, and it was a Budget rental truck being used by UPS as they had run out of vehicles for delivery. The officer verified their info and left a message for me per this.
It was such a relief to know how this ended, but it was also a good wakeup call on being careful with deliveries and reporting suspicious activity if something doesn’t seem right.
I’m also extremely impressed and very thankful with how quickly the SW Precinct followed up on this and reported back. Kudos to them!
ADDED: After reading this, @SudsyMaggie shared this photo of a UPS-deployed Budget truck she’d seen recently:
@westseattleblog Spotted a UPS-rented budget truck on First Hill this week. Took a picture it was so unusual! pic.twitter.com/kCAJjlSp8K
— SudsyMaggie (@SudsyMaggie) December 11, 2015
(WSB photo: KCSO officers outside house where murder suspect was arrested last Thursday)
Charges are now filed against 39-year-old Aaron Parypa, arrested by SWAT-geared King County Sheriff’s Officers last week at his Junction-area home in connection with a shooting death near Sea-Tac Airport. Parypa is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault, for the death of Andrae Medina-Wong and the attempted shooting of a second man in what detectives say started as an attempted marijuana sale. Parypa remains jailed in lieu of $1 million bail, requested by prosecutors because while he has no criminal history, they allege he “shot at both victims from a moving car in broad daylight during rush-hour traffic … (firing) at least seven times with a high-powered assault rifle.” The shooting made regional news on October 29th because of its proximity to the airport; Medina-Wong was found dead by a car in an intersection just north of Sea-Tac. Another man found hiding in the woods nearby turned out to have been with him. According to court documents, that man told police he and Medina-Wong had used Craigslist to try to buy marijuana, and had obtained – possibly stolen – some, in a glass mason jar, from a prospective seller they arranged to meet in the shopping-center parking lot on the northeast corner of 1st and 160th in Burien.
A vehicle believed to belong to that person subsequently pursued them, the survivor told investigators, and caught up with them at the intersection near Sea-Tac, where he saw a gun barrel pointing at them from the other vehicle. He got out of the car, carrying the mason jar of marijuana, and started running, at which time he heard gunshots. Medina-Wong was later found to have been hit by .223-caliber bullets in the head and heart. The other man was not hit.
The documents tell a detailed story of how detectives identified Parypa as the suspect, including phone and Internet records:
Seattle Police say they have arrested Si Phu, the man accused of shooting and killing a 14-year-old Chief Sealth International High School student in Columbia City on Sunday. Relatives of the victim say Phu is her uncle. According to police, he was found in South Seattle, and will be booked into King County Jail for investigation of homicide. Meantime, the candlelight vigil mentioned in the letter sent home to families is set for 5 pm tomorrow outside the school, according to Sealth staff.
ADDED: The King County Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Christy Phu.
Maybe you’ve seen Chris‘s motorcycle:
My motorcycle was stolen from the street in front of my house last night, in the 7700 block of 13th Ave SW (just off Holden). It was most likely put onto a truck because I was working on it a few days ago and had a bunch of wires unplugged. I don’t think it would have run, even if someone had a key. If you wouldn’t mind asking your readers to be on the lookout for it, I’d appreciate it. Maybe it will also keep someone else from getting their bike snatched.
Since the photo above was taken, Chris adds, he’s added a “new giant white gas tank” to the bike (shown here), which “also doesn’t currently have the windshield, blue plastic surrounding the headlight, or speedo/tach gauges because I had removed them to work on it.” Call 911 if you see it.
1:44 PM: The latest stolen vehicle to watch for: A U-Haul truck full of equipment from a Morgan Junction business. The report is from Ian, who with wife Elise owns Chill Massage Therapy:
We are currently remodeling and had all the contents of the shop in a U-Haul parked out front. That truck was stolen last night. Police reports filed, but we were hoping maybe you could post something with the truck license plate number so people can keep an eye out for us, please?It’s an Arizona plate, number DC1721K, and 14-foot truck.
“Out front” would be in the 6900 block of California SW. As the @getyourcarback tweet about this says, call 911 if you see the truck.
ADDED 1:57 PM: We asked Ian if there are any particular items in the truck that readers could watch for (in classified listings or wherever else): “a Large white mirrored wardrobe, front desk, two massage tables (1 blue, 1 brown), two corner glass door cabinets, large brown electric fireplace, small 2 drawer black filing cabinet, small refrigerator, boxes of marketing materials, brown 5-foot storage bench with drawers, bottles of massage oils and aromatherapy etc. These were the larger items that people may try and move on.”
11:25 AM: A deadly shooting on Sunday in Columbia City has touched the lives of hundreds here because of the victim. She was a 14-year-old freshman at Chief Sealth International High School. We just confirmed with Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer that grief counselors are available today for students, many of whom learned about this via social media starting late last night (thanks to the Sealth parents who let us know about this), and that she plans to send e-mail to Sealth families today. Meantime, Seattle Police say this morning that the suspect they are seeking, 24-year-old Si Phu, is a relative of the victim. Here is the photo they have released publicly:
The circumstances of the shooting have not been disclosed; so far, police have only said that they got a call just after 3 pm Sunday about a shooting in the 3500 block of S. Brandon in Columbia City, and that the victim died at the scene. Later in the day, SPD circulated the photo shown above, and this morning, they say Phu is still being sought. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 911. We will update this report with anything additional that we find out today.
12:04 PM: Here’s the letter sent to Sealth families by principal Fraser-Hammer:
Dear Sealth Families,
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I share the tragic news that one of our students was the victim of a fatal shooting yesterday in Columbia City. Seattle Police are investigating, and we are in communication with her family.
As a community, I know we will come together to not only support our student’s family members, but work to ensure our larger community is a safe place for us to live, learn and work.
We have counselors at school today and will continue to have counselors and mental health support available in the days ahead for students, staff and families, as needed. When someone dies, particularly in an act of violence, it is normal for children and teens to have different kinds of feelings and reactions. Parents and guardians have important roles in helping students understand about death.
We understand that each culture has its own way of dealing with death, and we encourage children to talk with their families about their ideas, thoughts and beliefs. Additionally, talking about the incident can be a healthy way for families to process their feelings and reactions to an event of this nature.
Here are some suggestions for how to help students cope:
• Maintain a normal routine.
• Stick to facts. Answer questions factually.
• Remain calm and reassuring. Students take their cues from their parents and adults.
• Be a good listener and observer. Pay attention to changes in behavior.
• Notice when children have questions and want to talk.
• Be especially loving and supportive; children and teens need you even more at this time.
• Take care of yourself. You are better able to help your students if you are coping well. If you are anxious or upset, children are more likely to be so as well.We recognize that even if your student may not have known or been close to this family, he/she may still feel a strong reaction. We also realize this may be your student’s first experience with death or it may trigger feelings about other deaths your child may have experienced.
A candlelight vigil is planned and details will be shared as information becomes available. This is an opportunity for students and families to acknowledge their grief and express their feelings about a sudden loss for which they have no control over.
If you have any questions, please let me know. We will keep you updated on how we as a community can move forward, and how we can support the family.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN CAR: Emily‘s silver 2010 Nissan Altima, plate AXL5242, was stolen sometime between 2 am and 11 am Saturday in Delridge. As the @getyourcarback tweet says, call 911 if you see it.
PACKAGE THEFT ON VIDEO: Two clips from an Admiral resident’s security cameras, plus the backstory:
Here are the pertinent details.
1. We live in North Admiral near 41st and Holgate.
2. We found an empty box on our porch (Saturday) morning with a note from a neighbor saying, “We found this on our lawn.”
3. The box had been addressed to us, but was ripped open, the items removed and then the packaging was discarded in our neighbors yard.
4. We used the tracking number to find out it had been delivered to us Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the box and take it inside when we got home Friday night.
5. We have video cameras installed, so we reviewed the video and found that at 3:39 AM (early Saturday morning), a car drove by our house, the turned around and returned. A young woman got out, came through our gate, walked up to our doorstep and took the box.We reported the incident to the police and have the entire event on video, so wanted to share it with you. If anyone can identify the thief or the car, please let us know. It would be great if we can stop these criminals before they steal from other people during this holiday season.
Some alternative tips for delivery are among the police recommendations for deterring package theft.
Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
GUNFIRE IN UPPER MORGAN: Thanks to those who texted to report hearing possible gunshots around 7:30 tonight in Upper Morgan. Police did respond and search for evidence; we couldn’t get there in time to talk with them, and we haven’t been able to reach SPD for confirmation, but one neighbor said officers told her they did find evidence of gunfire, and Tweets by Beat now shows the call was classified that way too, with 37th SW/SW Morgan as the general location.
HOME BURGLARIES: From Erin:
FYI- our home, and our neighbor’s home, in the 8000 block of 5th Ave SW were broken into this afternoon between 2 and 3 pm. Both doors were kicked in, and the perps took financial documents, electronics, and jewelry. Unfortunately, they also stole my engagement ring and wedding ring which I forgot to put on this morning – Merry Christmas to me!. A neighbor caught video of the vehicle entering and exiting our dead-end street. It looks like it was a purple Scion. Please warn neighbors to be extra vigilant – we have a great block watch system in place, but this was the perfect storm situation where it didn’t protect us.
GARAGE BURGLARY: From Jane:
Sadly we were the victims of property theft sometime last night. Someone came up our driveway, entered our gated backyard and then entered our garage through an unlocked side door (which is now locked) and stole my husband’s chop saw and blades worth about $1800. Normally, our work trailer and both cars are in the driveway, but last night my husband unloaded his trailer and moved it into the street along with my car because we are having tree work done today and I suspect that someone saw him unloading his tools and came back later to take advantage. We live on 55th between Dakota and Andover and I just wanted to get the word out to our neighbors to be aware this is happening. We have lived here 30 years and have had cars prowled and tools stolen from our vehicles a couple of times but this seems very brazen to walk into a private backyard and enter the garage.
SUSPICIOUS VISITOR: Another reader report:
We are near the intersection of 41st and Oregon. We had a man wearing a very dirty dark brown hoodie ring our doorbell at around 1 am. We looked out our windows and saw he had a very nice bicycle that seemed out of place given his appearance. He continued to ring the doorbell and knock for a couple minutes before leaving. About 10 minutes later, someone we think was the same person tried to open our back door and then left through a vacant lot next door. This incident freaked out our cats and our neighbor’s dog and we’re pretty sure he went to their door as well.
We did call 911 and spoke to a couple officers that responded and checked out the surrounding area and patrolled a few times. That seemed to scare off whoever was snooping around. We live near the vacant house that was cleared by police earlier this week, they suspected it might be related. We’ve had other issues with squatters in some of the other vacant properties nearby that our neighbors have called in.
(Reader photo from Thursday)
One day after King County Sheriff’s Office deputies served arrest and search warrants at a home north of The Junction, we’ve learned that one of the people arrested is a murder suspect. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the 39-year-old man is wanted in connection with a homicide near SeaTac Airport. He appeared in court this afternoon and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says bail was set at $1 million. Probable-cause documents say the case involves the shooting death of a man on October 29th. The suspect arrested in West Seattle yesterday is accused of chasing the victim and firing the deadly shots into his car, after the victim allegedly stole marijuana he was supposed to be buying from the suspect during a meetup in Burien. Prosecutors will decide early next week whether to file charges against the suspect, whose “last known address” is listed on court documents as the house where he was arrested yesterday.
Thanks to everyone who messaged about what was initially a sizable police response at 42nd/Oregon in The Junction. Here’s what our crew found out at the scene: Police were called about possible intruders in the house on the southwest corner, which is slated for demolition to make way for a mixed-use building. They found two men inside and took them into custody for suspected trespassing. A property manager was going through the house at last report to check for damage/theft.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes – starting with a Grinchy theft in Admiral. From Sara:
Some total GRINCH just stole the 10-foot-tall blow-up Bumble Snowman decoration in our yard (about an hour) ago … in the Admiral neighborhood.
Keep a look out for this guy … we really love him and want him back.
Plus, a car prowl in the Alki area – from MWM: “Three bags of hand tools and a backpack stolen from my pickup truck at 2700 block of 56th Ave. SW at 5:15 AM, this morning.”
(In case you missed it – our Wednesday Crime Watch report included car-prowl and package-theft deterrence advice from SPD.)
12:34 PM: Thanks for the tips about the police presence near 44th and Dakota on the north side of The Junction. Our crew went to the scene and found out it’s actually King County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a warrant service – NOT any incident that has happened or is happening. That’s all we know so far. Will add whatever else we find out.
12:43 PM UPDATE: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West can only confirm so far that it’s a combination search warrant and arrest warrant. More details might be available later.
In West Seattle Crime Watch, an incident report from B:
At 8:45 this morning our neighbor left to go to work and noticed that someone was sitting in the front seat of my car digging around. When confronted the robber jumped in a waiting car and tried to hit my neighbor. Luckily he missed, backed up and struck the support wires for a light pole and loosened them and then sped off. I didn’t lose anything and gained new respect for LOCKING MY DOORS. I always figure that if I don’t have anything in my car no need to lock. WRONG.
We have the license number: ANB 1083 and the car was a Black Hyundai Elantra… But the police said that the license plate was stolen – and maybe the car as well. That’s why they could be so bold to be out scouting in daylight. I’m in the 2300 block of 49th SW off Waite. Please make sure people are locking their car and looking out for these creeps!
B also confirms that Seattle City Light has been notified to get the wires fixed – the pole is not leaning, so far.
Now, from the “you’ve heard it before but you need to hear it again” file – Southwest/South Precincts’ Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon is re-circulating advice on how to deter car prowls and package thefts:
CAR PROWLS
We feel we have an unacceptable number of reported Car Prowl incidents for our Precinct. The level of Car Prowls, Auto Accessory Thefts and theft of license plates for the Southwest Precinct shows a 14% increase compared to this time last year.
Car prowls are crimes of opportunity that are committed within seconds. They are expensive, inconvenient, and aggravating for victims.
Thieves are targeting vehicles of all makes and models for valuables, including:
“I’ve suffered from this addiction for a very long time and know I need serious help.” So wrote 32-year-old Christopher T. Martin in a letter to the judge who sentenced him last week for felony DUI and bail-jumping. 
Martin is the repeat drunk driver who was arrested on the West Seattle Bridge this past June after flipping his car, in which his toddler daughter was riding. Neither was hurt – nor was anyone in the three other cars involved – but police discovered Martin was wanted for failing to appear in connection with a felony DUI case from a downtown incident almost three years earlier. As we reported at the time, and as reiterated in current court documents, he had four DUI arrests in the preceding nine years, which made the 2012 charge, in which he tested with .27 blood alcohol, a felony offense. He’s been jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail since the arrest in June; in September, he pleaded guilty to felony DUI and bail jumping in the 2012 case, as well as pleading guilty to three Municipal Court charges in the West Seattle Bridge case. After several postponements, he was sentenced one week ago to five years in prison, with credit for time served; that was the top of the range, according to court documents.
An armed-robbery suspect is in jail after police tracked him down in the stolen car they say was used in the robbery. From SPD Blotter:
Officers responded to a convenience store in the the 1600 block of SW Holden St just before 1 AM on Monday after three subjects robbed the store of cash and cigarettes. After killing some time purchasing Scratch lotto tickets and browsing the food aisles, one displayed a handgun and threatened the clerk. The other two acted as lookouts as he went behind the counter and stole cigarettes and cleared out the cash register.
The suspects fled the scene in a white Honda Accord that was stolen the previous day from South Seattle.
Just after 9 PM last night, Officers Brandon McDougald and Nick Evans spotted the stolen vehicle used in the robbery that morning. The driver, and sole occupant, was placed under arrest. Officers found methamphetamine in his pockets as well as the scratch tickets he likely bought just before the robbery. The 40-year-old suspect was booked into King County Jail for robbery, auto theft, and narcotics.
We followed up with SPD to ask where the vehicle was spotted, since it’s not in the SPDB post: 20th SW/SW Henderson. (added) We checked on the suspect’s background; he does not appear to have a felony record.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:03 PM: Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports, starting with an investigation under way now:
POLICE SEARCH: Thanks for the tips about a police response in Upper Alki/West Admiral. Scanner traffic indicated they were looking for someone but no details on why; our crew went to the center of the search, Admiral Way and Lander, to try to find out more. Police there tell us someone reported being “grabbed” while walking in the area. They were talking with a possible suspect when we arrived so we don’t have further details; as far as we can calculate from the time frame that was mentioned, they didn’t get the report until at least 45 minutes after the incident, so it’s been at least an hour and a half now since the incident. We’ll add anything more we find out.
Since we’re talking Crime Watch, we’ll add two reader reports that came in earlier today:
CAR-PROWL SPREE: Ray shared this report sent to neighbors:
I’d like to thank Kathleen for letting me know my car had been broken into and I should also thank the Seattle Police Department and Officer J. Dobson for their swift and professional response. Last night my 2013 Honda Accord was broken into and a cell phone stolen on 38th Ave SW between Juneau and Raymond.
A total of four cars (and counting) were prowled last night between 9:00 pm and 7:00 AM today. If anyone has video on these cars, SPD would be really pleased to hear about it. Case #15-414043 at 206 733 9800 if you have related information. A $200 reward for apprehension and conviction of the thief is up for grabs (will be split, if there are multiple competitors for the prize).
I lost a cell phone out of my car and consider myself lucky that was the only theft. I expect to be replacing the door and the trunk lid, courtesy of our little friends. A few tips.
1) Never leave valuables in your car, even in our safe little area.
2) Particularly and especially valuables with data in or on them that can be used for identity theft.
3) If you are a firearms aficionado, please see #1 & #2. If the Seattle Chief can have his service weapon stolen out of his car, there is not a single one of us that is magically invulnerable. Leaving a gun in a car is a bad choice on many many levels – keep it on your person or under adult supervision at all times.
4) If you don’t have a car alarm system, now is a good time. If your system only triggers when a door opens, now is a good time to upgrade. My little thief caved in a window and went in through said window, cleverly not opening the door.
5) It is likely time for us all to be a little more aware as the holidays approach and thievery abounds. There has also been a uptick in packages being stolen from doorsteps throughout Seattle.I will be installing an external camera covering our primary parking area shortly. I suggest doing the same, and I have found the AT&T alarm and surveillance system to be quite satisfactory.
GARAGE BURGLARY: Sent today by Rebecca:
I just wanted to report that our garage was broken into Thursday night, near 35th and Manning. The door was open in the morning and we thought we left it open, but then realized that all of our tools were gone. They did not take bikes or golf clubs, but a couple drills, chop saw, large tool box and several other tool sets. Not sure if any other burglaries were reported int he area, but seems like around the holidays the rate of burglaries goes up. Our garage is separate from the house but we were home and have several house guests and three dogs so a pretty brazen burglary.
ADDED 11:11 PM: One more report has come in tonight – from Lori:
Last night between the hours of 11 pm & 7 am. 3 of 4 tires/rims were taken off our 2012 Subaru. It was parked in our alley @ the 5200 block of 41st Ave.
We start this Crime Watch roundup with video of a porch thief who wasn’t even stealing a package:
Ramin‘s home surveillance camera was rolling when a thief stole “some stuff” from the porch earlier this week near 45th SW & Erskine. Thieves are striking in daylight too. From Sarah:
Wanted to let you know that we had a package delivered on our front porch by the USPS and within a half an hour the package was stolen off our front porch. We live on 35th between Barton and Cambridge. So, please let people know this is happening, and if they see a package on their front porch to not delay in retrieving it. I am filing a police report. Happy Black Friday…
Justin reported a package stolen from a porch in Gatewood, on SW Thistle between 35th and California.
Vehicles and their contents remain targets too. Car prowler(s) hit Tyson twice in less than a week, near 42nd SW and Hill in Admiral:
I’m a videographer and store some of my equipment in the back of my car under a cover which prevents it from being seen from the outside, but they busted my back window and took between $3,000-5,000 worth of lighting, tripods and misc gear. I assume the first time was just a test to see if my alarm would go off and they returned less than a week later to finish the job. I know I should have learned my lesson the first time but didn’t believe they would be back…lesson learned.
Police say they just can’t repeat this often enough … don’t leave anything in your car. Anything at all. Even if you think it’s hidden, even if you think it would be of no value to anyone else.
Meantime, Kellen‘s stolen trailer was found, minus its contents:
Last Friday morning the 20th between 7:15 and 8:30 my black enclosed utility trailer was stolen from my parking spot at the Public Storage facility located on Olson Place. The thief someone managed to remove the coupler lock and make off with the trailer using a U-Haul truck (according to the limited security video reviewed by the facility). The trailer was recovered the following day by Renton Police but all my tools and equipment used from my contracting business were missing. While I will very likely never see any of my tools again, maybe there is a very slight chance that another tenant there saw/remembers something suspicious from that morning that could be of help to the police in possibly finding those responsible. Or if all else, this could serve as a notice to current tenants of that facility to take extra precautions with your belongings that this kind of thing can happen; even in a seemingly well-secured place.
Last but not least:
FOUND BICYCLE: Look familiar?
Mark sent the photo, explaining that it turned up this evening on the side of his house, on 64th SW between Alki SW and Admiral Way. (If you’re missing a bicycle and haven’t seen the other found bikes featured here recently, check the Crime Watch page for links.)
Two court updates in recent West Seattle cases:
ARSON SUSPECT LOSES BAIL-CUT BID: When serial-arson suspect Jacob Kokko was arraigned on Monday, he pleaded not guilty and asked for a bail reduction. Both are fairly routine at this stage in a case. Judge Dean Lum said no to the bail-cut request, so Kokko remains held in lieu of $300,000 bail. Two weeks have passed since prosecutors charged the 22-year-old High Point resident in connection with three October fires.
ROBBERY SUSPECT NOT CHARGED: The $100,000 bail first set for an Arbor Heights man suspected in the recent holdup at the Westwood Village GameStop store is no longer in effect – prosecutors have not filed charges, saying the investigation is still ongoing. But he’s still in jail because of a $10,000 failure-to-appear warrant in a domestic-violence assault case.
In West Seattle Crime Watch this morning – one stolen car and two possibly stolen, abandoned bicycles. First, just out of the WSB inbox, from Grace:
My blue 1997 Geo Prism was taken from in front of our house on 11th Ave SW in Highland Park in the last few hours. If anyone should see it around, much appreciate their contacting SPD (case # 15 410052) so I might be able to retrieve it. License plate ANC 4242. Thanks.
Two bicycles have turned up, abandoned and likely stolen. First, Gary found this one left outside his garage door – “Body is painted over in blue and black. No sign of brand name.”:
And Patrick says the next one was abandoned in the 3200 block of Benton Pl. SW sometime last week:
Something for Crime Watch? Once you’ve reported it to police, e-mail us – editor@westseattleblog.com – unless it’s breaking news, in which case, please text or call 206-293-6302 – thank you!
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