Police are investigating a robbery near Delridge/Orchard. We haven’t heard the full circumstances but the victim is reported to have been robbed of their phone just before 10 pm by a person armed with a handgun, and the robber is reported to have gotten away in a black Hyundai Sonata with a taped-up back-passenger-side window. The getaway car appeared to be accompanied by a black Kia Forte. A partial description of the robber was broadcast – black ski mask, white sweater, black jeans, black shoes. No injuries reported. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-358293.

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN GREEN ACCORD: From Ann:

1997 Honda Accord, License 705HYN. Stolen between Tues night 12/12/23 at 6:35 pm (estimated time returned home from a dog walk) and 705am Wed 12/13/23 (when I went outside today)

Vehicle description: Dark green with light-gray seats. Significant damage to driver’s-side front wheel well, also scratches on truck and back bumper.

Vehicle contents: two large car seats in the back

A CLUB was on the vehicle. (This Club was purchased June 2019 after the Honda was stolen in early May and recovered 2 weeks later; at that time I was using an old Club)

SPD Incident #23-357538. If found – or seen, please call 911

PACKAGE THIEF: Another one recorded on video.

Ryan sent the clip and says this happened near California/Manning. Here’s a tracking number pending a final incident number: #T23027709.

That’s the burglar who threw a rock through the door of Cherry Consignment (4123 California SW) early this morning – and this is some of the damage he left behind:

It took the burglar two tries to shatter the door – all recorded on video. Proprietor Nyla Bittermann got the call from police just after 12:30 am. According to dispatch audio, a passerby saw the break-in and called 911; the burglar was gone before officers arrived. Nyla says he was “in and out quickly and only took the cash drawer, which was empty, except for a few coins.” Though the burglary was quick, the cleanup was not – she says, “We stayed until almost 3:30 cleaning up glass. It’s going to be a long day.” But “the show must go on,” she adds, here in the middle of the holiday shopping season, so her shop – which marked its 14th anniversary this year – IS open today. If you have any information on the burglary and/or the burglar, the SPD incident number is 23-356323. (Back in January, a would-be burglar tried, but failed, to get into the shop.)

9:33 PM: Police are temporarily blocking off 48th/Beach Drive/Lincoln Park Way while investigating confirmed gunfire. 911 callers thought it came from a vehicle (we haven’t yet heard a description). Responding officers told dispatch that so far they’ve found “several casings” on Lincoln Park Way. No report of injuries or damage.

ADDED: No additional information, but if you have info or video that would help police investigate, the case to refer to is 23-355206.

MONDAY UPDATE: A few more details from the report summary SPD released today – “Witnesses advised of a white SUV that fled the scene after a passenger fired multiple shots out the window. Officers located 5 spent shell casings in the intersection and a ‘Stop’ sign and ‘No Parking’ sign that had been struck by gunfire.”

2:02 AM: For the second time in nine days, the Admiral 7-11 has been robbed. This happened about an hour ago – just after 1 am. According to dispatch audio, four robbers took the store’s cash register and threw something at the clerk. They were described only as three men, one woman, all Black, in their 20s, wearing black masks and black jackets. They reportedly got away walking westbound, likely to a parked car. The cash register subsequently turned up barely a block away, in the 2300 block of 45th SW. If you have any information or vicinity video, the police incident # to refere to is 23-353422.

ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: A till – still holding $1s – was found a bit further north on 45th this morning, a texter tells us:

The texter says the neighbor who found it was reporting it to police.

Police investigating reported gunfire have found confirmation. An officer just told dispatch he found a shell casing near 26th/Brandon, No injuries or damage reported so far.

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

HIT-RUN: This happened to Raymond‘s car north of The Junction:

My car was involved in a hit-and-run while it was parked overnight in front of my house on SW Dakota St. across from Holy Rosary playground. I found a mirror cover for a white early 2000s Acura TL on my windshield. I imagine their car sustained right front end damage and is now missing half of the mirror on the passenger side.

Police report # is 23-349497.

‘RECYCLING’ PACKAGE THIEF: Merrilee‘s porch camera caught this:

We had a package stolen from our porch (Monday). The thief pulled up in front of our house, posed as a delivery person, wearing an orange vest, and had a box. When they got to our porch they swapped an empty box for our package. The empty box they left was for a person a couple blocks away. It seems that they are recycling the stolen boxes and leaving them at the next house. We were home and didn’t realize we had a delivery.

(Images from charging documents, suspect at West Seattle Target allegedly using stolen card)

Last spring, we reported on the arrest and indictment of Johny Mixaboua, in connection with nine federal felonies including two USPS mail-truck thefts in West Seattle in one day last January (3000 block of Beach Drive SW and 3600 block of 57th SW). Evidence used against Mixayboua included home security-camera video from the neighborhood where one of the vehicles was later found, plus store security video showing him using stolen cards (including at West Seattle Target). According to today’s announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, Mixayboua pleaded guilty to “theft of government property, mail theft, illegal transactions on access devices, and illegally possessing a firearm.” (He was already a convicted felon, and a gun was found when he was arrested, authorities say.) The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the charges to which he pleaded guilty carry potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Jones is scheduled to sentence him on March 8th; Mixayboua remains in the SeaTac Federal Detention Center.

9:31 AM: Thanks for the tip. That was the scene at WaFd Bank in the 4100 block of California around 7:30 this morning. About an hour and a half earlier, just after 6 am, a 911 caller reported seeing a silver BMW “attached to the ATM,” trying to pull it out, and then seeing it head off eastbound, according to dispatch audio. We haven’t talked to the bank yet so we don’t know what if anything the thieves got away with.

10:35 AM: We just went back to the bank (which is open) to follow up. The worker there to repair the ATM told us the thieves didn’t get away with anything – that they don’t seem to realize how well-protected the cash-containing part of the ATM is.

Two weeks ago, we reported briefly on a warrant arrest on 12th SW just north of Roxbury, adding later that police said they’d arrested a 16-year-old wanted for carjackings and armed robberies.

(Security-camera images that police believe shows suspect – we have obscured what was his partly visible face)

Tonight we have details on the charges filed against the suspect – which involve five incidents in October, including two carjackings and one 7-11 robbery in West Seattle, all of which we had reported here. The charging documents detail the painstaking work by which SPD detectives tracked down the 16-year-old, including cross-referencing cell-phone records and matching part of a word on the back of a hoodie seen through a car window on surveillance video.

The teenager is charged as a juvenile, so we are not identifying him by name. In all these incidents, there were accomplices, but we don’t know whether any of the others have been arrested yet; this suspect was arrested at his home. He is charged with five counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of auto theft, and one count of unlawful gun possession, all felonies. He has no previous record so far as we have found.

The crime spree detailed in the charging papers spans October 12th through 28th. It begins with a carjacking in an apartment garage in the Central District just after midnight on the 12th; the victim told police a white vehicle (later found to be a Hyundai Tucson) tailgated his blue Audi into the garage, where three people attacked him, two pushing him down, one pulling a gun, taking everything from his pockets, and driving away in his car. This all took barely 2 1/2 minutes, according to security video.

The second carjacking in which he is charged happened here, at Harbor and California, around 2:40 am on October 17th (here’s our original report). The victim was in her parked car on a conference call with clients in Asia, when three people approached both sides of her car, demanding her keys and asking if she wanted to die, subsequently pulling her out, throwing her to the ground, and taking off with her beige Mercedes, which also contained a laptop, tablet, phones, purse, and other items. As we reported originally, the papers say they were tracked to Roxbury Safeway but not pursued when they fled from police. Many of the victim’s belongings were discarded near a gas pump there. Before 8 am, her Mercedes was found abandoned in Auburn. Video from that morning showed these robbers were accompanied by a car matching the Audi stolen five days earlier. It also showed a suspect in a jacket/hoodie with PLEASURES written across the back – matching an image from the Audi theft.

Three days later, also on the West Seattle waterfront in the early morning (just before 1 am October 20th), a man was carjacked while sitting in his black BMW in the 1000 block of Harbor (our original report had it as the 1100 block of Alki, per police at the time). The charging papers say three men pulled up behind him, started yelling, and one hit his car window with a rifle before demanding he get out. They took his keys, car, and phone; the latter was found tossed out on the Admiral Way hill. Meantime, the stolen blue Audi crashed on the West Seattle Bridge; witnesses say its occupants got out, got into the stolen BMW, and sped off.

Investigators linked the three incidents and started requesting cell phone data for six related locations in hopes of cross-referencing to find at least one phone present at all those locations, possibly leading them to a suspect. They got a warrant for that data on October 25th. Then on October 28th, another crime – four robbers held up a Shell station in the 7200 block of East Marginal Way at 1:19 am. Half an hour later, the California/Charlestown 7-11 was robbed (here’s our original report, which also mentions the East Marginal link), with the loot described as including less than $100 cash, vape products, and a bag of chips. They got away in a white van. A Renton 7-11 was held up half an hour after that. Then around 10:30 am, the van – a Kia Sedona stolen in High Point – turned up in Des Moines.

A week and a half later, on November 8th, after analysis led them to one phone present at five of the six locations, investigators got another warrant. They traced the phone to a 53-year-old man who turned out to be the suspect’s father. Given all the images they had of the robbers, they researched whether he had a teenage boy in the house – and indeed he did. They got a DOL photo of the suspect and started surveillance to determine who had possession of the phone. Getting live alerts on the phone’s location, they determined it was the 16-year-old suspect. Further surveillance also showed him in apparel items that matched to some of the security images from the robberies – including one in Kent (they found out Kent PD was working on a similar case). Then on November 21st, with SWAT, they arrested the suspect.

Unlike adult court, juvenile court usually schedules arraignments shortly after charges are filed. Online court records show the suspect appeared before Chief Juvenile Judge Melinda Young last Wednesday and pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered him to remain in detention, declaring him a “threat to community safety,” but said “the court will consider release once there is more structure in place.” His next hearing is December 14th.

That car crashed on SW Barton west of Delridge this past half-hour after being stolen in a carjacking near Roxbury Lanes. That’s according to police at the scene as well as dispatch audio. The driver hit this car …

… and then took off on foot. He was described over the air as a Black teenager in a green cap, black jacket, black pants, white shoes. No injuries reported; no other information about the carjacking circumstances, as SPD is referring that part of the case to King County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

SIDE NOTE: This happened while we were working on a story about the arrest of a teenager suspected of two West Seattle carjackings and one local armed robbery – watch for that a bit later.

First, two weekend incidents on which we obtained information from SPD this morning:

SOUTH ADMIRAL CARJACKING: Police say this happened around 6 am on Saturday morning in the 3200 block of California SW (near Springline). The victim told officers that the carjackers – who arrived in a red Kia Soul – tapped a handgun on his car window to get him out and steal the car, a gray 2017 Audi SUV. Dispatch audio included an early description of the carjackers as two Black men in their late teens or early 20s, thin, wearing hoodies and masks. The stolen Audi was subsequently seen headed eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge, but archived audio indicates officers lost sight of it on Beacon Hill, around Beacon/28th, shortly after a pursuit was authorized and initiated.

GUNFIRE NEAR LINCOLN PARK: 911 callers reported hearing gunfire in the vicinity of Lincoln Park’s north lot around 3 am Sunday. Police found no evidence at the time – no victim, no property damage, no casings – but hours later, a 911 caller reported finding a 9mm casing in the area.

CAR BREAK-INS: This is a reader report from Jessica:

At least two cars were broken into on 55th Ave SW in Alki last night. One of the cars was a 2003 Honda CRV (our car) and the other was a 2020 Nissan Versa Sedan (our neighbor’s car). Many of the belongings that were taken out of the cars were thrown out along 55th Ave SW. We’re interested if anyone saw unusual activity on 55th Ave SW last night or if they’ve seen additional belongings dumped in the area. We’re still missing a few minor things, we think.

Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

CRASH-AND-GRAB BURGLARS HIT CANNA WEST AGAIN: Driving in the 5400 block of California SW this morning, we saw that damage to Canna West Culture Shop. It happened just before 3 am, according to archived dispatch audio – three people crashed a vehicle into the storefront and ran off southbound. The people we talked with say it appears nothing was taken; it should be noted, this is NOT where Canna sells cannabis – that’s Canna West Seattle (WSB sponsor) across the street; this shop specializes (as its sign says) in CBD products. Archived audio indicates the burglars left a gray Kia Optima behind, still running; it had not (yet) been reported stolen but they were going to check with the registered owner at a North Seattle address. The burglars seen leaving the scene were described only as “three unknown-race males, thin.” The same building houses the studio of Filigree and Shadow fragrances (WSB sponsor), which proprietor James tells us was not damaged. The previous crash-and-grab hit at Canna West was in September.

One reader report this morning:

WORK TRUCK BREAK-IN: From Amanda: “I wanted to let you know that there was a truck broken into at the Wells Fargo parking lot in The Junction last night. My friend parked his Republic Services work truck there last night around 6 pm. The robber smashed the window and stole lots of rain gear, hoodies, and boots. Mostly all with either a US Ecology logo or Republic Services logo. If the community could keep an eye out, it would be appreciated!”

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN TAN TAHOE: From Brian:

Our tan 1995 Tahoe was stolen from our driveway on lower Henderson Street. The vehicle was stolen sometime between midnight (12/2) and 5 am. Washington plates AFL3344. Barn doors on rear and no emblems to indicate Chevy/Tahoe. License plate frames had “Catch and Release Wild Trout” both front and back. SPD report # 23-346806.

APPARENTLY ABANDONED RED CIVIC: From an anonymous texter:

There’s an abandoned red Hyundai Honda Civic at the corner of 26th and Brandon with the front wheel off. I reported on Find It Fix It but thought you might be interested in posting in case the owner wants to come get it before it is towed. License plate number BMS0627.

UPDATE: Commenter below says the car is NOT abandoned – it was in a crash and was towed there.

HOME BURGLARY: This report is from Kathy:

Our neighbor’s house on 54th Ave SW near Dakota St. was broken into this week. The neighbors are still assessing the damage and loss. It appears the crooks entered the backyard from the alley, then smashed the back glass door to get into the house.

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

STORE ROBBERIES: These two incidents, both classified as “strong-arm robberies,” were dispatched simultaneously last night, just after 9 pm. We obtained the summaries from SPD this morning. One was at the Admiral 7-11, where police say three people walked into the store, then two went behind the counter “and aggressively approached the clerk and told him to get out of the way. The clerk stepped aside”; the robbers grabbed two tills and “tobacco products,” then left in a “white vehicle.” No other descriptive information. The other was a shoplift-turned-robbery at the High Point Walgreens; here’s the summary police provided: “Officers arrived and spoke with a 28-year-old victim who reported a male suspect entered the business and stole merchandise. The victim employee attempted to stop the suspect but the suspect shoved the victim out of the way. The male suspect was described to be a Black male, approximately 5’6″-5’8″, thin build, with short black hair, wearing a white face mask, a blue/gray hoodie, and blue sweatpants. He left the location in an SUV.” No injuries reported in either robbery.

STOLEN RED YUKON: The photo and report are from Ellen:

My son’s GMC Yukon was stolen last night from the Admiral Neighborhood of W. Seattle. Maroon/Red 2005. Any help is appreciated.

LICENSE PLATE: CBX0004
FRONT PLATE: Florida State Trooper

CAR PROWLS: Reported by Paul: “Our next-door neighbors and we were victims of car prowls sometime this morning. They stole a car jumpstarter, our registration docs, and car manual out of my wife’s car and left the car open to the rain. Similar story from our next-door neighbor. We live on 51st Ave. SW off Genesee.”

Thanks to everybody who tipped us today that the West Seattle Junction Post Office‘s parking-lot mailbox had disappeared. All that’s left in its place – bolts. Took us all day but we now have confirmation from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service that the disappearance is a case of theft: “We do believe the box was stolen overnight. We are working on the investigation of the theft,” Postal Inspector John Wiegand tells WSB – no other details so far. Meantime, USPS regional spokesperson Kim Frum told us it will be replaced, but she doesn’t have a timeline yet. It’s been seven months since this mailbox and its counterpart outside the Westwood Village Post Office were both downsized – to what were described at the time as more-secure mailboxes. This isn’t the first time thieves have taken an entire West Seattle USPS box – consider the saga of the Admiral/Belvidere box that’s been stolen twice.

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

BURGLARY ATTEMPT: A North Delridge resident whose home was targeted by a would-be burglar emailed us this report:

I have been trying to spread the word because it is pretty frightening and now I can’t sleep.

(Monday) morning, around 12:45 am, someone attempted to enter a downstairs bedroom from the window. The bedroom was occupied and the entry point was inside our fenced yard. The house and yard was lit and it would have been clear there were people inside. The occupant of the bedroom awoke and confronted them and they left. She said it was a heavyset light-skinned man with brown hair and a beard wearing a leather jacket and jeans. He appeared to be in his 40s. He did not appear intoxicated. Police came, but didn’t find anything.

We later noticed the intruder had moved a furniture item to the window to help get in. It would be difficult to guess that this window existed from outside the fence and we suspect the house must have been cased earlier.

Additional lights and cameras are now up, but I’m not sure when we’ll be able to sleep again.

We are located in North Delridge near 26th and Hudson.

CAR BREAK-INS: Two readers reported seeing the aftermath of break-ins along Beach Drive, including Peggy, who emailed to report: “At least 4 cars were broken into along Beach Drive between Constellation Park and La Rustica on Sunday night, and a couple more on Monday night. Folks should be careful not to keep valuables (or anything) in their cars, particularly in plain sight.”

5:09 PM: Jill is hoping at least some of what burglar(s) stole from her garage might turn up:

Our garage got broken into Saturday night and they stole two Rad Power Bikes and tools. That we can get over, but we just discovered that they also stole all of our sentimental Christmas ornaments. I’m just sick about this.

Given that these aren’t of street value, I’m hoping they were dumped somewhere in West Sea. We think there are two Rubbermaid totes of ornaments (can’t recall the tote colors, maybe red, maybe clear?).

Our garage is located on the west side of 44th between Dakota and Genesee and our neighbor saw a White Escalade drive through the alley around 4 or 5 am. That’s unconfirmed as being a car of interest but the only thing we have.

If you find any tossed-aside totes of ornaments (or dumped bikes/tools, for that matter), let us know and we’ll connect you.

7:08 PM: Jill got the ornaments back! Bikes and tools, still out there.