(Tuesday photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
We checked in at day’s end with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office regarding the status of Alan Polevia, the repeat offender arrested Tuesday (WSB coverage here), found hiding in an Arbor Heights crawl space. Spokesperson Ian Goodhew says they could not “rush-file” a charge related to that incident – as reported here Wednesday, a firearms charge was considered – because more investigation needs to be done by police. But Polevia does remain jailed in connection with the warrants that were out for his arrest – one in relation to him not showing up to answer burglary/theft charges filed in March (six months after the incident they relate to). Bottom line, according to the King County Jail Register, his bail is currently down to $7,550. But Goodhew says Polevia is expected to be in custody when he is arraigned on the aforementioned March charges on Wednesday, as well as an unrelated Municipal Court case. And they’re hopeful they’ll get the additional information soon for a filing decision in this week’s incident.

(Tuesday photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
One day after police arrested 32-year-old Alan Polevia in Arbor Heights, he remains jailed in lieu of $35,050 bail, and we have more information about what police found when they arrested him after rousting him from a hiding place. $10,050 of the bail is because of warrants that were out for Polevia’s arrest, including his failure to appear to answer charges of burglary and theft filed last March. Then a judge set $25,000 more bail at a hearing today, in connection with a possible firearms charge. We have obtained the probable-cause document in relation to that, and it outlines what we first reported yesterday – that he was spotted riding a bike with another one “attached” to it, and had multiple bags. An alert neighbor spotted him and called police to report suspicious behavior. Though that neighbor had lost track of him by the time police arrived, another one had seen him and taken photos of him and the bicycles; she helped police track him down at the house where he was eventually found “under the house, in the crawl space, under the flood wrap, in a small dug-out hole.” Those photos show him with the bags – in which police say they found:

*Carbon-loaded pellet gun
*2 fully loaded Glock 40-caliber magazines in a leather magazine holster (loaded with hollow-point bullets)
*132 Winchester Wildcat 22-caliber bullets
*8 Trapmax shotgun cartridges
*17 Peters brand 30=30 rifle rounds

King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Ian Goodhew tells WSB they have until Friday to decide whether to file new charges. He adds that Polevia will go before a judge in connection with the warrants, too, and says his office will argue for him to be kept in custody rather than released, given his history – even before the burglary/theft charges were filed last March (in connection with this September incident) he had been on the run after escaping from police at Harborview Medical Center while handcuffed.

The “snack shack” used by West Seattle Baseball at Riverview Playfield has been broken into, reports parent volunteer Michelle, who sent the photo. She says someone broke in Monday night, “damaging the building and making a huge mess” along with making off with some money. “We are so bummed someone would do this. … Fortunately it’s the end of the season, and not more was taken.” It’s not the first time the “shack” has been targeted, though; Michelle says volunteers have spent time painting over graffiti vandalism.

(Photo courtesy Cami)
An Admiral woman chased and caught a suspected bike thief this afternoon. We might not have known except for Mark L.‘s comment following the unrelated Crime Watch roundup we published earlier today:

Just heard that my neighbor chased a guy down the street who stole her husband’s bicycle. He doesn’t ride it much anyway, but regardless, they caught him! Guy was in his mid-50’s and he’s on his way to jail. He should’ve known better than to steal from a marathon runner!

We commented in turn that we’d love to find out more; another commenter put us in touch with the suspect-chaser, Sarah, who agreed to tell her story:

I run for sanity, for exercise also, but mostly sanity. Today’s run, however, was not really motivated by either of those.

Amidst loads of laundry and resume editing, what appeared to be a man walking in from the side alley caught my eye. Yep, there he goes, straight into the detached garage – that I left open. My kids will love that part.

White T-shirt in hand, I B-lined for the garage as a man in his late 40’s/early 50’s emerged with a bike in hand. Unsure of the extent of my rights to defend my property, I decided not to tackle the man. Although, I have to admit, as a psychotherapist and borderline pacifist, I tend to entertain all options prior to violence.

Our misguided friend proceeded to run with the bike down the alley until he likely realized the screaming woman following him was not going back into her house to call the police. The bike was ditched and the pursuit was on.

Multiple neighbors kindly responded to my pleas for a 911 call and I continued to follow the man through the Admiral neighborhood – of course, wondering what he must be feeling and what could possibly be going on in his life to make theft a viable choice. He asked me to stop following him. I explained that he should not have been in my garage. He told me his friend was now busy emptying out my house. I explained his friend had great company to welcome him: the SPD. He was welcome to run as long and far as he wanted, I had planned on 6 miles today but could probably do 12 if need be.

Fortunately, Officer Mulloy followed the multiple leads from helpful neighbors and intercepted us on Admiral just above Schmitz Park where the man was taken into custody. Bike is safe, I am safe, the laundry is done. I can’t say, though, what this will mean for the man who felt theft was his best option today. I do hope justice is restorative.

P.S. In a bit of synchronicity, passer-by Cami had noticed this incident unfolding and took the cameraphone photo above, sharing it with us with no knowledge this story was in the works! Meantime, we hope to be able to find out the suspect’s status tomorrow.

We start this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup with a busy week for burglars. Sixteen in the past week, according to the city crime-report map (three of the icons in the screengrab above represent two each). One of the victims is Lara – again:

I wanted to report that I was burglarized for the second time in 6 months (plus 3 additional thefts of plants, outdoor heaters, etc. from my yard.) I live near Graham and Fauntleroy and the break-in occurred at 3 pm (Wednesday). … This time, the perpetrator(s) kicked in my front door (which was dead bolted). It appears that they were trying to disassemble the entertainment center when the alarm went off. They grabbed my laptop, but that appears to be all they took. I’m very glad I put in an alarm system after the last burglary and I’m adding in the video cameras (today)!

It would be great to know if anybody on Fauntleroy (just south of the intersection at Graham) has an external facing camera that might have captured a truck parked out front (Wednesday) afternoon.

Lara says the person responsible last time is still behind bars, so it’s someone different. Ahead – a bus rider robbed on the eve of his birthday, plus suspected mail thieves, and grocery theft:

Read More

It’s been almost a year since the first time Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon circulated a notification of level-3 sex offenders moving into local neighborhoods. Today, he’s sent a new notification about two now living in West Seattle:

Read More

Out of the WSB inbox, from Mary:

Our 1988 burgundy Toyota Camry station wagon was stolen from where it was parked on Barton by the Fauntleroy Church. I park it there for my husband because he is a staunch bus rider of >30 years. The #21 no longer goes to Arbor Heights at the time of night so he catches the C line to the Church. He has health issues and walking the remainder home causes his problems to worsen. Unfortunately, someone decided to take it Friday night for their own purposes. The police were notified.

We are lucky that we’re self-reliant – we’ll figure something but gosh, our old dog loved that car, as we made the entire back of it his comfy ride as we went about errands.

If anyone spots it (has a small Honeywell Security card in back window – maybe no longer, a slight ding on the right rear passenger side door, and the driver’s seat is torn so there’s a fleece seat cover), please call it in to the police.

Three Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes today. First, Sydney hopes you can help find her SUV stolen overnight from the 7900 block of 32nd SW:

The back hatch wouldn’t lock. *facesmack* It is a black ’88 Nissan Pathfinder with a small dent left rear bumper, license plate something like 173 VEU. It’s got a rock guard on the hood and some
mud splatter there as well.

(added, from commenter report shortly after we published this) Linda‘s van was stolen in the Fairmount Springs area last night:

Our van was stolen last night – we gave a police report but in case anyone sees it – it’s a maroon 1994 Plymouth Voyager-not super pretty but it also had an air compressor in the back. Stolen off Fauntleroy Way SW. 5900 block. It also has a for-sale sign in it with our phone number.

(back to original report) Here’s a car-prowl report from Aaron:

I just thought I would send a quick note to let you know that we had a car prowl last night in Arbor Heights. Our block on Marine View Drive at 106th Ave SW has been targeted before. This time they broke out a friend’s car window, rummaged through some clothes bags and took a bathroom bag, but nothing of real value.

And GA reports a package-contents theft:

We came home to a torn-open box from Fed Ex at our home (alley of 61st Ave. SW) Sunday evening about 7:00 pm. The box was delivered on Saturday, and we came home Sunday. We reported to police along with a description of the two younger people who neighbors saw near alley on Sunday about 6:30 p.m. This is not a full report, but wanted to alert my neighbors that the woman was seen casing the alley after the theft. The box was taken from the porch, cut into and contents were taken. The box contained art work that we purchased from Louisiana at an auction.

Six West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports to share from the past few days, plus new details about the WS Crime Prevention Council‘s Lincoln Park Safety Walk next Tuesday night. We start with Katie‘s report of a Highland Park burglary:

Sometime between 6:30 am and 5:00 pm on Thursday (May 23rd), there was an attempted burglary on the 7700 block of 11th Ave SW [map]. The (burglar/s) attempted to enter the home through a window. Police were notified when the occupant of the home returned after work.

Read More

We start today’s West Seattle Crime Watch with details on a street robbery – the type of crime that, according to what Southwest Precinct Lt. Pierre Davis told the WS Crime Prevention Council this week, has been on the rise in the area lately. A friend of the victim just e-mailed us with these details about what happened on SW Barton between 16th and 17th SW (map) about 11 pm last night:

The thieves sped up in an older dirty white Cadillac type car, jumped out, ran at the victim. They then hit the victim with a baseball bat and threatened to shoot him with a gun when he was on the ground. The victim only gave up his laptop when one of the youths went for something in his belt. They are two dark skinned African American youths between 17-20 years of age, skinny between 5 foot 9 and 5 foot 11. One was dressed in a black hoodie, jeans, white sneakers, in Ray Ban type sunglasses. The other was in a red hoodie, jeans, and wore a red bandana over his nose and mouth.

We’re expecting a little more information from police on this later today. P.S. Added information regarding the victim’s injuries: “Thankfully he didn’t have to go to the hospital. He is scraped up and traumatized. The alley they pushed him into has gravel. It tore up his hands, knees and elbows.” (added) Here’s the SPD Blotter report on this.

Now, on to two late-night/early-morning helicopter searches:

First, several notes this morning asked about one heard in the Alki area around 2:30 am today. The only call we could find on the log was described as “suspicious circumstances” in the 63rd SW/Marguerite Court vicinity (map). SPD media-relations Det. Mark Jamieson, looked it up for us: While there’s no formal report, because there’s no indication a crime was committed, he says someone called police to say there was a man standing in front of a house “holding a baseball bat and a flashlight, staring into the house. When asked what he was doing, he told the complainant ‘there’s a burglar in the house, but don’t call police’.” Someone did call police, and law-enforcement helicopter Guardian One happened to be in the area and heard that call, so joined the search. Eventually, though, no burglar was found, inside that house or anywhere else, and after about 20 minutes, the search ended.

Ahead, a Wednesday night helicopter search, three reader reports, and one bit of good news (added – also, a car-theft arrest report):

Read More

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch: First one involves a dog reported as stolen. This dog has been on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page, and its owner is now going public with an added fact – she says it’s missing because it was stolen:

My male black Pomeranian was stolen from outside Bartells at 15th & Roxbury Sunday, May 19 at 5:25p. Last seen with two white females (one adult, one possible juvenile) on the #128 Metro bus heading East on Roxbury. I am devastated! If you have any information please call 206.938.4242 or the King County’s Sheriff’s office 206.296.3311. Thank you!! Reward offered!

Also reported as stolen: Golf equipment taken from Alex‘s car outside his home at Beach Drive and Atlas. He writes, “This is the third break-in this year that I am aware of on my little section of the Dr.; I hope word can get around so that neighbors become more aware, and so that we can all help each other by looking out for thugs like these scumbags that stole my clubs.”

Also, be on the lookout for this bike stolen from Lydia:

It’s a Giant Avail III, stolen from her front porch in the 7900 block of Delridge Way SW on Monday or Tuesday.

P.S. Long-form report from last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is in the works. Two toplines:

-Street robberies are on the upswing – still primarily the type where you’re at risk of getting held up for your iPhone or iPod.

-The most popular brand among car thieves right now is Subaru.