In this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup: First, we’ve already reported this on partner site White Center Now but wanted to make sure you knew too – Hung Pham is in jail; he’s the man charged with domestic-violence arson in the February house fire at 25th/Roxbury and with assault for attacking his girlfriend and another woman in South Delridge last month.

Next, reader reports. On Saturday afternoon, we tweeted a scanner call about an attempted auto theft. The next day, we heard from the car’s owner, Al:

Just wanted to let readers know that (Saturday) at 1430 hrs. in the 5900 block of Admiral Way, my car was broken into and they attempted to steal it. The 2 male suspects fled in a black 4-door car or crossover type vehicle with a bumper sticker northbound in the alley between 59th and 60th Ave SW (it was too far away to get a really good description as I ran into the alley). My car’s door was busted and the ignition/steering column lock was trashed. All of this, with a car alarm going off (ignition disabled). This was broad daylight on a Sat. The only thing they got away with was my radio faceplate, but damage is estimated at $800-1000. It has been reported to police, but in the meantime keep a lookout for suspicious activity. Summer’s coming, and with it is the increased activity of scum.

Be aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious activity. And, above all, make sure you and your family are safe.

And a holdover from Friday – a package-theft report from Kay:

I live on 29th Ave SW between Kenyon and Elmgrove and a package was delivered to my front porch at 4:15 (per tracking info); shortly thereafter my next-door neighbor emailed me saying she found packaging in her yard and saw “an empty box on my porch.” So someone must have spotted the UPS truck and tore through the package after he left (I checked mail at 3:45 then ran errands and was home by 6:30.

Five reader reports to share today in West Seattle Crime Watch: First, Stephanie‘s car was stolen overnight and she hopes you will watch for it:

I’d like to report a stolen Subaru Outback from Beach Drive SW near Me-Kwa-Mooks Park. The theft happened between 9 pm last night and 8 am this morning. It’s a dark red car, license AJT2684.

(SUNDAY UPDATE: Stephanie reports her car’s been found – in Everett.)

(back to original Saturday report) Next – two reader-report links from the WSB Forums, in case you can help but haven’t seen them yet – the search for a hit-run driver, and the search for whomever owns a most-likely-stolen bike dumped in a local yard.

Finally, two car-prowl reports from earlier this week, which got lost in our queue while Crime Watch was overtaken for several days with high-profile incidents – read on:

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9:41 AM: That message in chalk in the 5400 block of California SW (map) is meant as a warning – a local woman reports being attacked while out running early this morning, and wants everyone to be careful. We got first word from a later passer-by who saw the message in chalk and e-mailed us about it; while researching to find out more, we got a call from the victim. She says the attacker came out of nowhere; she says she was not seriously hurt and did not need medical attention, but is concerned for everyone’s safety because police searching the area didn’t find her attacker. Here’s a wider view of the area:

We are following up with police, having called them even before hearing from the victim; they’re looking up the report, so we’ll add any additional information (including a description) if/when we get it.

10:09 AM UPDATE: Here’s what police say about the incident:

A woman was attacked this morning in West Seattle. Just shortly after 5:00 am, the victim was jogging Southbound on the East side-mid block in the 5400 block of California Av SW when the unknown suspect came out of the shadows and grabbed her. The man grabbed the victim’s waist, pulled her down into crouch position and fondled her genital area. The victim screamed and the suspect immediately let go and ran off Northbound and then turned East onto SW Brandon St.

The victim stated that during the attack the suspect did not say anything or react to anything she said to him. Officers arrived and canvassed the area for the suspect and any possible witnesses.
The victim declined medics.

Suspect’s description- Unknown race male, 5’9, wearing a dark colored hoodie and dark pants.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 9-1-1. Anonymous tips are welcome.

Though Seattle Police are not formally commenting on last night’s two shootings beyond what was on SPD Blotter (same things linked in our overnight coverage), here’s what we have found out today:

Investigators returned to the Avalon/Charlestown scene this afternoon – the first place a shooting victim was reported, after people in the area heard gunshots around 11:30 last night. The investigators there today were spotted and photographed both by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams (who took the photo above) and by your co-publishers, a short time apart while heading back to our respective HQ’s after coverage of the “Bertha” arrival. As you see in Nick’s photo, investigators were using a dog to look for evidence. It’s the same area of Charlestown as shown in WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli‘s photo from overnight:

Meantime, a friend of one of the two men who were shot tells WSB that it all started as a robbery attempt and that his friend shot the other man in self-defense. The friend asked to be anonymous, and since we don’t have official identification on either of the men who were shot, we are not using our source’s friend’s name yet either.

According to the friend, the victim was working last night, driving a car for hire – he’s also a musician – and was taking a break when the other man approached him, and the exchange of gunfire ensued. No other details of the circumstances; the friend has visited the victim in the hospital and says he is able to nod his head in response to questions but that’s about it. He says the victim is in stable condition with three gunshot wounds and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. (The other man also is reported to still be in the hospital.) We will continue to follow up with police to see when they will be ready to say more about the case.

(WSB photo of fire scene, 2/13/13)
Six weeks ago, we reported on an early-morning arson at that home at 25th and Roxbury – on the county side, but affecting drivers from both West Seattle and White Center as the investigation continued into the morning commute. Today, we have learned that 43-year-old Hung Minh Pham (right) is charged with domestic-violence arson – and that KKing County Sheriff’s Office is seeking him with a $1 million arrest warrant (that’s the amount his bail will be set at when he’s caught). Word of the search comes from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, who also says that Minh is believed to be homeless and known to hang around the White Center area.

Since we first published word of the search on partner site White Center Now earlier this afternoon, we have learned more about the case from court documents obtained online: Pham is charged with first-degree arson/domestic violence, third-degree assault, and second-degree assault/domestic violence. The court documents say the victim is a 20-year-old woman described as having been in a “dating relationship” with Pham for two years. The information about the fire – said to have started when he set the victim’s clothes on fire – apparently emerged after an incident in West Seattle, in the 9000 block of 16th SW, a week ago, detailed in the second paragraph of this excerpt from charging papers:

(The victim) has been assaulted by the defendant throughout their two-year dating relationship. As recently as January 2013, the defendant attacked the victim with a baseball bat while she slept sending her to the hospital. In early February 2013, the defendant held a knife to her throat and struck her in the head. On February 13, 2013, the defendant was angry because he could not locate the (victim) at the house she was staying. After searching the home, he gathered her belongings in her bedroom, poured paint thinner on the items and essentially attempted to burn the house on down. The fire spread through the lower structure and rendered the home unsafe and uninhabitable.

On March 22, 2013, the defendant pummeled another victim … in her own bedroom with a detachable wooden wall shelf just because she asked him to be quiet one late night. During the same incident, the defendant went on to attack (his girlfriend, the first victim) as she came out of the bathroom, knocking her to the floor, climbing on top of her punching her repeatedly in the face then finally strangling her to the point of unconsciousness. (She) awoke to the defendant kicking her repeatedly as she laid on the floor. The victim was only able to escape when (the second victim) intervened. (Both women) were both later treated by SFD and taken to Harborview for treatment.

If you see Pham, call 911.

(October 2011 photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
In October 2011, the Washington Federal bank in Morgan Junction was held up by two masked robbers. Days later, as reported here, two men in their mid-60s were arrested in connection with that holdup and others in the region. Today, we get word from federal prosecutors that their trial is over and both were found guilty. Here’s the announcement:

Two men with a quarter century history of robbing banks, were found guilty late yesterday of a string of bank robberies in the Seattle area, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. The two men, 66-year-old JACK P. SEXTON and 65-year-old RONALD C. KETTELLS were convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, three armed bank robberies, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The jury deliberated for about a day before finding the men guilty following a seven-day trial. Both men face a mandatory minimum 57 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik on June 21, 2013.

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West Seattle Crime Watch (and related) reader reports to share:

STOLEN CAR: Pam reports her husband’s car was taken from outside their home in the 5600 block of 25th SW on Monday afternoon – green 1994 Nissan Altima, four-door, Washington plate AAJ8298. Just two weeks ago, she says, their cars were hit by prowling and siphoning. Speaking of car prowls …

CAR BREAK-INS: From a 31st SW resident:

Just wanted to let you know that on 31st Ave SW between Thistle and Elmgrove, we experienced 3 car prowls (Sunday) night. Two of the cars were locked and armed- those folks are thinking that somehow the thieves have keys to their cars. My car, stupidly, was unlocked. Thankfully nothing of HUGE value was taken, but I wanted to get this out there to remind people to take their valuables inside at night.

POSSIBLY DISCARDED LOOT: Received this note:

I found a guitar in the alley by my garage Sunday morning (March 24th) in the North Admiral area. I assume it was ditched by some car prowlers early that morning since the neighbors’ car was broken into. Call me to identify it. 206 935-4063

One more quick reminder of a crime-prevention, neighborhood-empowerment meeting TONIGHT – the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network, 6:30 pm, SW Precinct – you don’t have to be a captain, or even a Block Watch participant, to come be part of it.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon, starting with an early-morning crash that left a trail of damage, reports a resident who didn’t want to be identified. It happened around 3 am in the 3800 block of California:

Police responded last night. 5 parked cars damaged, here [photo above] is the worst. … I am told by resident the perp could not drive away and was arrested.

Blocks to the north, from someone else who did not want to be identified (though they have reported this to police):

Just wanted to let you know that last night two young adults, possibly teenagers, were going through cars and stealing items last night around 10 pm on the 3000 block of 45th Ave SW. They were wearing black with hooded sweatshirts and backpacks. They escaped on foot and police searched the neighborhood. They were not able to find them.

We had a few items taken from our car. This morning I also noticed items from other cars on 45th in the street. This is the second time this month we have had our car ransacked.

One more report ahead, with a photo – a car whose driver is reported to have followed a young woman for blocks on Friday:

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Two reader reports in this West Seattle Crime Watch update. First, from Greg:

About 9:45 (last night), we heard a ‘bang’ outside our home at 39th & Othello and a very loud vehicle speeding off (sounded like a V8 to me). Our friend’s car was hit and badly damaged; the right front quarter panel destroyed among other things. When I ran outside I heard the vehicle speeding south … The damage would be on the right front side of that vehicle. Any tips can be relayed to SPD, I can give the case number as necessary.

David e-mailed to report somebody paintballing his car, and then had an addendum:

Awoke to find our car had been ‘paintballed’ (Wednesday) night – – bright globs of yellow gunk all over. Vicinity of Trenton & 32nd. … (Later) while cleaning the paint off my car, several neighbors came by and reported four car prowls this week in the same vicinity, one of which occurred while they were unloading plants from their little SUV. While their back was turned, someone dived in the cab and made off with CDs, work keys, and a McDonald’s container of soda pop. Didn’t have their back turned twenty seconds – – unbelievable!

Next crime-related meeting is Tuesday (March 26), 6:30 pm, West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network (Southwest Precinct, Delridge/Webster) – watch the WSBWCN website for an agenda announcement soon.