Quick Crime Watch note tonight – Paul reports someone stole his license plates overnight near 39th and Dakota: Washington plates B45069N. So if you happen to see a plate lying around in your neighborhood, take a closer look (and tell police if you find one, even if it’s not Paul’s).

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports: First, from Tom in North Admiral:

This morning, I woke up to both of my cars each with all 4 tires slashed. Called the police and they said that 6 to 8 other families were reporting the same issue with their cars. Great way to start a 3-day holiday.

And yet another bicycle theft – this one reported last night by Heather:

My bike was stolen from my home just north of Lincoln Park. It’s a red Diamond Back. It was loaded with green panniers and a striped bucket-style helmet. My white three-ring binder with teaching materials was in the pannier. I’d love to get that back, even if I never see the bike again!

To get involved with community crime-prevention efforts, now that it’s September, watch for the meeting announcements of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council (9/18) and the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network (9/25).

Four reader reports in today’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup. First, three short theft notes, and then (after the jump, if you read this from the WSB home page), the story of a car-prowl arrest – and what police subsequently told us about it.

#1 – Mac reports a bike theft:

I just had my bike stolen (Thursday) from our apartment’s secure garage at California and Hudson. It is a teal and purple Novarra (I think that’s the brand), with black handlebars and a small cargo rack on the back. It has an old bike computer mount danging from the handlebars, and new tires. It wasn’t the nicest bike, but it got me where I wanted to go. Maybe someone will see it?

#2 – A mail-theft report from A:

My boyfriend and I live on North Delridge, across from the community center. We have been suspecting mail theft for a long time, but (Wednesday) night I finally found proof: our mailbox was left wide open and our junk mail was scattered down the street.

#3 – Also mail theft, reported by Tommy:

Just wanted to give a heads up that there has been a resurgence in mail stealing on the 5600 block of 26th Ave SW. It’s been a problem in the past; didn’t happen much this summer; seems to be happening again. It isn’t much fun trying to find a pet ID on the side of the road that was being sent from the City of Seattle (those little things aren’t cheap!).

After the jump, a Morgan Junction resident tells the story of how they’ve been hit by repeated car prowls and made the call last night that resulted in an arrest – plus, our followup with police:

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A 54-year-old Alki woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars and jewelry from a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor for whom she served as a caregiver earlier this year. Mary C. Park was in King County Superior Court today and pleaded not guilty to first-degree theft. She spent a day in jail after her arrest earlier this month, but she has no criminal history, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says Park will remain out of custody while the case proceeds. Charging and search-warrant documents say Park started working last February for the family of the victim, who is said to have stored cash in her home because of fears tracing back to having been sent to the Auschwitz death camp during World War II. It’s suspected that Park stole the cash one day last month when the victim recalls having been told to get into the bathtub and ordered to stay there. Gold, opal, and diamond necklaces were discovered to be missing, too. The family fired Park at the end of July, documents say, and called police days later after realizing the money and jewelry were missing. Park is due back in court on September 13th.

Big roundup today for West Seattle Crime Watch and other police activity – with three notes related to bike theft (actual or suspected).

First one starts with an incident that several people asked about this morning on the WSB Facebook page – early-morning yelling in Morgan Junction, and eventually an ambulance. Nothing on the 911 log, so we checked with Det. Mark Jamieson of Seattle Police. He says one man thought he saw another steal a bicycle around 2 am – the second man was reported to be on one bicycle and pushing another, after having allegedly gone into the first man’s neighbor’s yard. The first man, police say, followed/chased the second man, who dropped the extra bike, and then, when the first man caught up with him near California/Graham, dropped the one he was riding. The first man “detained” him and the second one started yelling something like “Don’t hurt me.” That’s when multiple people called 911 – a passing ambulance even stopped, thinking they had witnessed an assault. Police could not prove that the bicycle was stolen, says Det. Jamieson, so there was no arrest, and nobody required hospitalization, so the final categorization of the call was simply “suspicious circumstances.” P.S. The bicycle was placed into evidence.

Whether related or not, we’ve heard more stories of bicycle thefts in Crime Watch reader reports lately. One is after the jump – along with the saga of a Crime Watch case closed when a bicycle-theft victim DID get her bikes back – via someone who saw the story here – and a few other WSCW notes:

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(TOPLINE: 20+ indicted in federal oxycodone drug-ring investigation, including 1 arrested in West Seattle)

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
FIRST REPORT, 12:58 PM: We’re at FBI headquarters in the heart of downtown, where agencies and departments including the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Seattle Police are about to brief the media on the raids/searches this morning at locations including the one on which we reported (5400 block of 30th SW). We’ve just been handing documents that say more than 20 people were arrested in connection with a “significant narcotics trafficking ring” involving “distributing thousands of oxycodone pills in the Seattle area.” More to come.

1:03 PM UPDATE: The briefing has begun. 24 arrests executed this morning by 100 law enforcement officers, we’re being told. Operation was code-named “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse“; the alleged ringleader’s name is Herman. Speaking first with details: US Attorney Jenny Durkan:

She calls this “a tremendous investigation over a period of years. We are focused heavily on ending prescription drug abuse … As you know, it’s a growing epidemic in America … Last year, it was estimated the deaths … exceeded the deaths for motor vehicles.” She says there’s a direct “nexus” between drug dealing and violent crime, and lauds the joint efforts of SPD and FBI.

SPD’s Deputy Chief Nick Metz (above) is speaking now (1:06 pm) – he says “it’s no secret that in past six-plus months, we’ve seen an uptick in violence …”and he believes this will affect that. Now FBI special agent in charge Dean says that 16 locations were searched in our state and California in relation to this case. 19 people were indicted, he says. He says that agents came here from other states including Utah and Oregon to help, as well as other partners around the region. The investigation dates back to February 2010, he says. He says one particular gang was the focus of the investigation, and stresses again the partnership between law-enforcement agencies. “We’re going to continue our efforts to disrupt violent crime.”

1:10 PM: The operation is being called “unprecedented” in its scope and scale. “I think today’s efforts have made the region a little safer.” After just a few minutes, the news conference is being opened to questions. First question involves investigative techniques, on which they don’t want to specialize; electronic surveillance is mentioned.

Second question – “We took the head dog out,” says FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Steven Dean (above), responding to the role of Herman Roche, the first person whose indictment has been publicized. Roche is 43 years old and described in documents as a Kent resident. He says the investigation “disrupted” the organization and put most of its members in custody. “We think it’s going to make a dent.” Durkan says, “These operations rely on everything from (street cop undercover buys) to sophisticated surveillance … What the bad guys need to know out there is that state and federal authorities are going to cooperate .. We have a wide array of tools; we will use them all to stop crime in this community.” She says they wanted to make sure they “had the entire organization” so that when “we took it down, we knew what we were doing.” She talks about the organization members’ trips to California to get thousands of pills at a time. She says they seized 20 firearms, $40,000, and more that they are still inventorizing. “The next step is that all of these people have to make their appearance in federal court.”

1:15 PM: The news conference is wrapping up. Some of the suspects will be on the 2:30 pm court calendar. And the FBI spokesperson will tell us afterward about specific locations and how they figured into it.

1:29 PM UPDATE: 33 year old Brian M. Davis is identified as the person arrested at the home on 5400 block of 30th SW this morning. He is charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, authorities say. He was the only person arrested in West Seattle, according to the FBI, and the 30th SW house is the only WS location involved. What exactly was seized there – and what role that location played – won’t be known, says the FBI, until the search warrant returns are made public, probably in a week or so. The closest arrest to West Seattle, besides Davis, was that of 45-year-old Thomas D. Lee, arrested in the 6100 block of 4th Avenue S (a WSB Facebook commenter mentioned that location). They will be among those making a court appearance in about an hour. Seattle Police also confirm that Davis was the victim in a shooting elsewhere in the city a month ago.

2:44 PM UPDATE: Back at HQ now and will add video of the briefing plus a few more photos – unlike some briefings of similar magnitude, there was no “show and tell” component of seized items, in case you wondered. (added – here’s our video – starting with an overview by FBI Special Agent in Charge Laura Laughlin)

Also, if you’d like to read the full news release, which lists everyone charged, as well as all the participating agencies, it’s after the jump:

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FIRST REPORT, 8:08 AM: Thanks to everyone who texted and e-mailed to report federal agents searching a hillside home between High Point and Camp Long early this morning. At the scene, we saw FBI agents with unmarked vehicles, and a vehicle marked as belonging to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They wouldn’t comment, referring us to local FBI headquarters; we just talked with Ayn Sandalo Dietrich in FBI public affairs, and she could only tell us that it’s part of an operation at “multiple locations,” but they’ll have more to say later. We also checked with Seattle Police, where Det. Mark Jamieson said the same thing.

10:35 AM UPDATE: The FBI has announced a multi-agency media briefing at 1 pm today – we’ll be there. They’re describing what happened this morning as a “Seattle Safe Streets Task Force operation.” The task force is described on this page as working “to identify, disrupt, and dismantle existing and emerging violent criminal enterprises and gangs in King County, as well as other individuals and groups whose criminal activity negatively impacts the Puget Sound area.”

NOTE: Our story on the briefing – and what we’ve found out about the suspect arrested in West Seattle – is here.

West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning: We heard overnight from an Alki burglary victim who requested anonymity:

Please let everyone know a guy walked into my gate, up the stairs, across my deck, into my home – meeting me and my dog upon entering … police arrested him in the alley near Alki Ave SW, between 63rd and 62nd. This happened around 10 pm. We need to start looking out for our community and getting to know our neighbors.

We checked with Seattle Police this morning; they confirm a suspect was arrested and booked into jail for investigation of residential burglary.

We also followed up on the High Point stabbing reported here early yesterday – a woman taken to the hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds in what was described by police as a fight. No word on the victim’s condition, but police do say they arrested a suspect at the scene, a 44-year-old woman who lives at the same address, and found the suspected weapon – a kitchen knife. The suspect is still in jail, booked for investigation of domestic-violence assault.

Side note – Another round of mystery booms last night (we heard them over Lincoln Park, and also heard via Twitter and e-mail from others in Morgan Junction and Gatewood), around midnight. No related incidents (damage, injury, fire, etc.) reported so far, so like many others, at this point, a mystery.

More bike thefts top tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch reader-report roundup. From Imelda:

We are living on 61st and Spokane St. We forgot to close our garage last night and … our two bicycles and one of my kayaking booties were stolen (the other shoe was lying in the driveway). Our bicycles are unique, since they are from Germany, and have fixed lights, a baggage carrier in the back, and guard plates. Both look identical, one is for men, one for women. They were black, brand is Tallard. We are paying a reward, no question asked. We brought them all the way from Germany, and would really love to have them back. If you see them or know where they are please call 206 935 5839

Imelda says a neighbor had a lawn mower stolen last night, too.

And a Westwood resident says alert neighbors interrupted a car prowler:

If anyone had their car prowled in the 35th/36th & Barton/Cambridge corridor last night you may want to contact (police). Our dog alerted us to activity in the alley behind our house and then we heard neighbors yelling. A male in black pants, red tee-shirt and baseball cap was seen trying the door of the neighbors car parked in the driveway at the rear of their house. When alerted he tossed a box full of spoils and took off running up the alley toward Roxbury. A neighbor (me) followed him while other neighbors talked to a police car that had just pulled up and collected the belongings from the street. He was tracked going through back yards and up and down 36th until 3 squad cars descended and picked him up at 36th & Roxbury. Not sure if he was taken into custody or not.

With a community meeting at Alki’s Bamboo Bar and Grill less than two hours away, charges have been filed against the man arrested in connection with the fight and shooting outside Bamboo early Sunday (previous WSB coverage here and here). 27-year-old Michael Helmer of Kent is now charged with first-degree assault and fourth-degree assault – the former for shooting one man, the latter for attacking another. The court documents include the full narrative of what police believe happened – we will add that to this story shortly. (WSB photo from early Sunday)

UPDATED 4:32 PM: The full narrative, minus the names of witnesses and victims, is ahead:

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Two theft reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon – if you have information on either, please call police. First, from Scott G:

I just wanted to get the word out that my 1990 Chevy Pickup was stolen from my driveway near 34th Ave SW and SW 108th St sometime last night between midnight and 8am.

It was dark red (I think Burgundy is the official color), is a full-size pickup with a king cab, and is distinctive in that the passenger side rear window sliding window is missing and is duct taped over with white plastic (not theft-related).

Plate # is B97040L.

There was a child’s car seat in the back seat, and the side and rear windows are tinted.

Also, the joke is on the thieves, in a sense, because it doesn’t run well at all. I think it is only running on 7 cylinders, and sounds really rough and is fairly loud (as most older 8-cylinder trucks are).

I’ve reported it to the police.

And from Shoshanna:

My husband and I are both public school teachers with two young kids and not a lot of extra money. Today we came home and saw that someone had stolen our double bike stroller from outside our apartment. It was parked under the stairs of our building and not visible from the sidewalk. We use it often and are very saddened that it was taken. It is a Schwinn double bike stroller, bright yellow color.
We live in a quad-plex on 44th and Alaska.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports – both involving stolen items, from mopeds to boats to a pair of sunglasses. Both are ahead:Read More

The owner of a West Seattle marijuana dispensary, who also briefly operated one in White Center, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge. That announcement came late today from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which says Brionne Corbray, owner of the GAME Collective dispensary, faces up to 40 years in prison. Here is the full text of the news release we just obtained, detailing the pleas entered today both by Corbray and by dispensary operators in two other neighborhoods:

The owners of two different marijuana distribution enterprises pleaded guilty today in federal court to drug trafficking, admitting they were selling large quantities of marijuana for profit, in violation of federal and state law, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. BRIONNE KEITH CORBRAY, 47, owner and operator of three G.A.M.E Collectives in White Center, Northeast Seattle and West Seattle pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana.

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4:47 PM UPDATE: Bail was set today at $150,000 for the 27-year-old Kent man arrested after the fight outside Alki’s Bamboo Bar and Grill that left two people hurt early Sunday morning – one, it was later discovered, with a gunshot wound. (Here’s our original coverage.) Court documents say the suspect was involved in a fight with several Bamboo patrons around 1:15 am Sunday, then pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and fired it. One shell casing was found. While that fight is described as happening on the sidewalk out front, the documents say “multiple witnesses” saw the suspect point his gun at others inside. The report says he ran eastbound after the fight and gunfire, but was seen trying to hide his gun “and a Seahawks jersey … on top of the right rear tire of a parked SUV.” Police arrested him near that vehicle. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has until Wednesday to file charges.

ADDED 5:23 PM: A comment left by a Bamboo representative offers an apology and a plan for a community meeting this Wednesday:

The staff and management regrets being involved with this violent event and apologizes for any fear the community has suffered. We would like to host a community meeting this Wednesday between 5:30 and 7:30 to share the steps that we have been taking to promote a safer environment and to hear any suggestions West Seattle locals may have to offer. We truly care about keeping Alki safe, and want to make Bamboo Bar and Grill and place patrons can feel good about visiting. We look forward to improving and would like to accept any help the community has to offer.

We have also just received a phone call about this, and verified the meeting on Wednesday is AT Bamboo – 2806 Alki SW.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning, starting with Barb‘s stolen Blazer:

Sometime between 5:30 am on Thursday 8/16/12 and 5:30 am on Friday 8/17/12 my green (but dirty) 4-door Chevy Blazer was stolen from where it was parked on Belvidere. It was at the corner of Grayson and Belvidere in the Admiral area. The license plate is ____-NNJ.

Call 911 if you find it.

(3:15 PM UPDATE: See the thread in comments – turns out Barb’s vehicle was impounded. But SPD apparently didn’t know that – they even tweeted it as stolen.)

Report #2, a car prowl in Upper Alki, reported by Syd:

I live on 59th Ave SW (near Charlestown) and wanted to alert people that last night someone tried to break into my car, attempting twice to break my passenger window. Thankfully they were unsuccessful, but they smashed the window and damaged the door frame. This is the second time in the past few months that my car has been targeted.

If you have a Crime Watch report to share with your neighbors via WSB, editor@westseattleblog.com – but please report it to police first!

More bike thefts in West Seattle Crime Watch, plus a boat stolen – and found – as well as some miscellaneous reports. First, about Shane’s bike:

I wanted to report my mountain bike stolen late last night, (Aug. 12th), from my garage, (2400 block of SW Edmunds), and see if anybody sees it in the next few days. I mistakenly left my garage door open last night, so I’m partially to blame. All that was taken was my Specialized Enduro Expert bike, blue with some distinctive orange stripes on the frame that are not very visible in this photo, (did not have the fenders on it anymore). May still have a sticker on the side of it that said “You laugh because I’m different, I laugh because you are all the same.”

Ahead, the ski-boat saga – and various reports from a local block watch:
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2 reader reports of bike thefts – including this one just in from Jenny:

Just wanted to report that a yellow Cannondale mountain bike was just stolen from our home about 30 minutes ago now. We heard the thief on our porch and then looked out the window and saw him ride off with it. This is on 41st SW between Edmunds and Hudson. So discouraging!!!

And Elena‘s Specialized-brand women’s road bike (blue, white seat, blue-striped tires) vanished from “inside a closed and locked gate in a condo building on Alki Point” late last Thursday/early Friday (she’s hoping for tips at mystolenbike123@gmail.com).