West Seattle, Washington
23 Friday
19-year-old Skyelar Hailey, arrested after a foot chase in Admiral this past Tuesday (first story here, followup here), is now charged with two counts of residential burglary – the first one involving the West Seattle High School purse theft in the original report, second one involving a home nearby. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the charges today and is requesting that bail for Hailey remain set at $25,000 because: “The defendant has a prior conviction for Criminal Trespass in the First Degree (2008) as an adult and juvenile adjudications for Theft in the First Degree (2008); Theft in the Second Degree (2008); and Harassment (2007, 2007). The defendant is only nineteen years old and has five misdemeanor or felony resolutions in the past two years. The defendant is likely to fail to appear in response to a summons.” We also have the documents detailing the case against him; we are not uploading the documents themselves because they include victims/witnesses’ names, as well as that of a juvenile who so far is not charged in the case, but we have cut-and-pasted the “probable cause” text (with omissions noted either parenthetically or with ellipses). Read for yourself, just ahead (photo credit, Christopher Boffoli, April 2009):Read More
The Southwest Precinct says two recent arrests appear to have solved a lot of burglaries — at least eight, and potentially more. We’ve spoken with both Detective Nick Bauer and Sgt. Jeff Durden to get the details you’re about to read: It started with a burglary on August 7th, 3400 block of 47th SW (map) – the resident(s) left the house for just 15 minutes, with a window unlocked or cracked open, and that’s all it took for burglars to get in. With some description information from neighbors, and a GPS-equipped BlackBerry stolen in the break-in, police tracked two suspects – one adult, one juvenile. That led to a search warrant for a house in the 1800 block of SW Brandon (map), where police found stolen property – “tons of it,” as Det. Bauer put it. Read on for the rest of the story:Read More
Just out of the WSB inbox, from Blake:
We had our jogging stroller stolen out front of our yard in broad daylight this afternoon at 34th and Othello [map]. We were standing 30 feet away when it happened but didn’t notice. We purchased it this Monday to exercise with our 13 month old child. If anybody sees a green jogging stroller for sale in the West Seattle area, please contact me at bjs210bjs@gmail.com.
Blake says they don’t have a photo. Which leads us to a point police made when we were talking with them this afternoon (working on a story about a burglary bust, which you’ll see here tomorrow) – be sure to keep identifying information so that if your stolen property is found, it can be returned to you more easily – that means serial numbers, photos, or etch an identifier into the item.
Reports this afternoon from Sunrise Heights and Gatewood – read on:Read More
Update on the arrest of repeat offender Skyelar Hailey after a foot chase in Admiral yesterday: Our first information from police (reported here) indicated that he is accused of stealing a purse from a West Seattle High School teacher. Then when he was booked into jail last night, the register showed he is facing three burglary charges (the decision on actual charges is up to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which has three days to decide). We asked police about that this morning; Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen says the other two potential charges have to do with “two residential burglaries.” Hailey, who turned 19 last week, remains in jail as of last check; checking online court records, we found he also has a case pending from late July in Seattle Municipal Court, with charges including reckless endangerment, refusal to stop, no valid driver’s license, obstructing a public officer, and 1st degree property destruction – we are checking to see if that incident actually happened in late July or whether the charges stem from something earlier. 5:32 PM UPDATE: No answer on that yet but we can tell you that his bail’s now been set at $25,000, according to the King County Jail Register (he’s still there right now). THURSDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office expects to file charges against Hailey tomorrow. FRIDAY MORNING: He is formally charged now with two counts of burglary. We are working on the story, which includes the full tale of what preceded his arrest this week.
One home break-in and one car break-in, and both victims e-mailed WSB to make sure you were aware of what happened – read on:Read More
ORIGINAL 10:58 AM REPORT: Thanks to those who’ve called and e-mailed – we have just confirmed with police that a foot chase in the Admiral area (near West Seattle High School) has ended with an arrest, so that’s why you’re seeing major police activity in the area. We expect to have more details shortly on what happened. 11:16 AM UPDATE: One of our tipsters had told us the suspect was believed to be Skyelar Hailey, a repeat offender who we have reported on here before, most recently in May, when police found him in a stolen car, weeks after he was sentenced on reduced charges related to an Admiral burglary case. Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen confirms to WSB that Hailey is in custody, under arrest for investigation of theft, along with a “female” who was with him, and has these additional details of what happened: Lt. Paulsen says Hailey is suspected of stealing a teacher’s purse this morning at WSHS, where summer school is under way; apparently a custodian originally gave chase. Police were called and a foot pursuit ensued, with Hailey taken into custody (the female’s involvement is not clear at this point). (Photo by Christopher Boffoli, from Hailey’s April 24 sentencing) 4:47 PM UPDATE: Hailey has finally shown up on the King County Jail register, booked about an hour ago. The potential charges are listed as three counts of investigation of burglary. 6:16 PM: His entry now has been updated to “bail denied.”
Eight days after we brought you first word of the gorilla-napping (involving an animatronic creation using the suit shown in the photo above) from Youngstown Arts Center (original WSB report here), the gorilla is back, according to a note tonight from Gina, who first reported its disappearance:
Thanks for your help in spreading the word! Our gorilla was safely returned to us today thanks to the good work of SPD. … We’re not pressing charges but would like to invite the kidnapper to wear the gorilla suit to attract attention at our next event.
That’s Nicole‘s window, near 37th/Edmunds, south of The Mount. And this is what did the damage:
Nicole shared those photos along with the story of what happened:
I have a frightening and very disappointing incident to inform you about. Last night around 10 pm, I was sitting in my front living room when a rock was thrown through my front window. Unfortunately I was not able to see the suspects, it was too dark. I’m thankful I was not struck by the rock or the glass that was littered across the living room but it certainly could have been a lot worse. Whoever threw the rock did it from 100-150 feet away, as our house sits high up off the street. It was clearly deliberate and not an accident. The rock was the size of a baseball and shattered the big window which is quite large, 12’x5′.
The police combed the area but came up with nothing. I’m not sure how something like this can be prevented but it certainly has my attention. I’m going to add additional motion sensor lights on that side of the house and possibly add a video camera and surveillance sign, we have had a lot of car break-ins and burglaries in the area.
Got that photo this afternoon from the FBI, taken during a robbery today at the Alaska USA Credit Union on 3rd in Renton. Looked a lot like the robber from the KeyBank holdup in The Junction on August 5th (note he’s even wearing the same T-shirt):
The same robber was linked to at least one of two robberies in North Seattle a week ago Saturday. So we pinged the FBI to ask if this is believed to be the same guy. Agent Frederick Gutt says, “Yes, the suspect today is believed to be associated with each of these robberies.” Here’s the description from today:
The suspect is described as a black male, mid 30’s, approximately 6′ tall, mustache, wearing a tan baseball cap and blue jeans, and departed on foot. The suspect displayed a handgun and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to call the FBI at (206) 622-0460
We’ve received two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning to share with you – one vehicle break-in, one home break-in. Both victims have advice for you based on what they’ve learned about what happened to them – read on:Read More
Out of the WSB inbox, from John, who says this happened between noon and 1 pm today:
Just a warning to other West Seattleites. My wife and I were both home (Oregon & 39th) [map] with the front door open letting the sun in. Someone walked into our house and stole my wife’s purse from a chair close to the front door. Didn’t see anyone suspicious around. Everyone be on the lookout for weirdos.
John, of course, called the police, and says they “mentioned an incident yesterday in the same area.”
Out of the WSB inbox, from Jon:
Our car stolen from our garage, 5400 block of 40th Ave. SW [map], sometime b/t ~5:00 pm 8/14/08 & 10:00 am 8/15/09. 1997 Honda Civic LX 4-door sedan, green, 624-XKD (WA). A guy near I-405 in Kirkland called me @ 10:15 this morning saying he found glovebox papers in the middle of his street, included owners’ manual, registration. I’ve filed report w/ SPD.
That’s the message tonight from West Seattle Crime Prevention Council president Dot Beard – she asked if we would remind you that the group is NOT meeting this month (they meet on third Tuesdays, so that would have been coming up next week), but they urge everyone to attend tomorrow’s Picnic at the Precinct at the Southwest Precinct (map), 1-4 pm. Next WSCPC meeting will be September 15th, and King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg is scheduled to speak.
FIRST, THE FOLLOWUP: Early this morning we brought you Sue‘s report of a van stolen in Fauntleroy. She just e-mailed to say she has found her van, “in the Allstar (Fitness) area” of North Delridge, and that it doesn’t have much damage.
NOW, A NEW REPORT: Christie e-mailed word of a burglary at 48th/Hinds (map):
Sometime during the day yesterday – we were gone from 1030am until 7pm – someone broke into our home and stole some goods. My husband came home to find the stereo moved around, our iPod touch gone and our new Apple computer gone from the living room. Upon further investigation, we discovered our iPod Nano was missing from its dock in one of the bedrooms downstairs and our jar of change was missing from the bookshelf. No visible sign of entry, but the back door was unlocked when my husband arrived home.
The iPod Nano is the first generation Red (donates to the Aids Fund) 4 GB and is engraved with “always enjoy yourself” – The iPod Touch is first generation Silver with a black case and is engraved with “all the dark can’t extinguish the light.” The apple computer was purchased last year and has the fancy touch sensors in the mouse pad. It has a purple case with the bottom back tabs (that hold it on) broken.
The police have a full report and serial numbers, but if anyone finds anything on craigs list/ebay/etc., please contact Christie Voos at christie.voos@gmail.com
From seattletimes.com: The arraignment in King County Superior Court is over, and 23-year-old Isaiah Kalebu has pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated murder (for which the penalty could be death) and rape. He is accused of breaking into the South Park home of 39-year-old Teresa Butz and her partner in the early-morning hours of July 19 and attacking them; Butz did not survive. He was arrested less than a week later, after he was identified through DNA. He remains jailed in lieu of $10 million bail, and remains under investigation in a Pierce County fire that killed two people last month, including the aunt who had kicked him out days earlier.
COURT CASE: South Park murder suspect Isaiah Kalebu is expected in King County Superior Court at 8:30 this morning to answer charges including aggravated murder (which could bring the death penalty) in the July xx attack on two women who were asleep in their home when he allegedly broke in.
CLOSED SCHOOLS’ FUTURE: Also happening downtown this morning (9 am), the city Hearing Examiner is scheduled to hear an appeal of the June city decision determining that closed school campuses around the city – including Fairmount Park, Genesee Hill and EC Hughes in West Seattle – could be repurposed for various new uses without convening a School Use Advisory Committee.
PORTERHOUSE OPENING: The new restaurant/pub in the Admiral District (2329 California SW, just north of Admiral Theater) opens mid-afternoon. Lots of new food and beverage details in the West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog‘s review from the “soft opening” party Monday.
REP. MCDERMOTT TALKS HEALTH-CARE REFORM: Tonight, the long-hot topic gets its highest-profile West Seattle discussion yet, as the 34th District Democrats bring in Seattle’s Congressmember Jim McDermott in addition to other expert panelists. The agenda’s here, but also note the disclaimer on the group’s home page – this is NOT a “town hall meeting” and while everyone’s welcome to attend and listen, “only members may speak and participate,” per the group’s bylaws. The meeting starts at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share this morning, both involving cars – one stolen, one hit-and-run – read on:Read More
Just in, this alert from Paul at Coffee at the Heights (WSB sponsor):
Thought that we would put it out to all the West Seattle businesses, we took a counterfeit 20 today, about 12:30. Description of the guy is 6’1″ dark complexion, slender build, 3 Inch afro that was kinda messy, appx 30-35 years old, with a slight accent. Wearing yellow, green and blue striped oversized polo with faded light blue baggy jeans. We don’t know if he was on foot or in a car, but he headed out of our shop north on 35th Ave SW. Just a word to the other business owners out there.
To elaborate on the location, Coffee at the Heights is in the building on the northwest corner of 35th/Webster (map).
That “artist’s rendition” of a unique piece of stolen property just arrived in the WSB inbox from Gina, along with this explanation — and plea:
*6 Foot Tall Animatronic Gorilla Stolen from Youngstown Garage Sale 8/8/09: help us bring him home!*
During our garage sale (4408 Delridge Way SW) on Saturday, two men in a red Chevy King Cab pick-up truck license plate B67(—-) stole a 6 foot tall shaggy brown gorilla from our parking lot. Two lovely but unidentified ladies followed the crooks who took off southbound on W Marginal Way. We’ve contacted the police but they’re not able to help much because we don’t have the ladies’ contact information. If you know anything about or saw a red pick-up truck with a 6’ tall gorilla in it or know two ladies who stopped by the garage sale in a green Subaru hatchback, give me a call. Help bring the Gorilla home and slap 2 crooks for stealing in our neighborhood!
Gina’s # is 355-1170, though we would suggest first calling police. (The garage sale referred to, if you didn’t see the story yesterday, was at Youngstown Arts Center, with some of the proceeds going to the nonprofit Service Board.) ADDED SUNDAY EVENING: Gina says the gorilla “suit” was used as a costume in the Fremont Solstice Parade, and dug up this photo:
We’ve been reporting all this on Twitter because the citywide media hasn’t jumped in yet, but now the potential West Seattle connection is stronger so we’re mentioning it here too: Two armed robberies in the past hour-plus in the North End, and per scanner traffic, witnesses say the second one appears to be the same guy who held up KeyBank in The Junction last Wednesday:
It’s also been noted via the scanner that in the West Seattle case the robber and a possible accomplice were believed to be in an early ’90s police-style white Chevrolet Caprice with a chrome/silver spotlight. We haven’t yet gotten the location of the second robbery today, but the first one was at a Bank of America in Wedgwood, and the second one is also being handled by North End units – in that one, the description was closest: Black man, 40s, round glasses, heavy set. These are both still active investigations in North Seattle; we’ll add more here later when additional information’s available. (There’s also talk of a possible link to an incident elsewhere in the city yesterday – checking into that.) 3:11 PM UPDATE: While the possible WS link is not mentioned, the two robberies are now discussed briefly on the SPDBlotter site. The 2 locations from today were just about 2 miles apart (map).
At community meetings and in WSB comment sections – as recently as this week – we have seen and heard complaints about open drug dealing in some neighborhoods. SPD just issued a news release about a just-complete operation which targeted a so-called “open-air drug market” in the Central Area, with others in the city potentially to follow, and while this isn’t West Seattle-specific (yet) we thought you might be interested in reading about it —Read More
A Westwood man is charged with possessing and dealing in child pornography, according to King County Superior Court documents. The charges filed within the past week against 23-year-old Chas Voelckel result from a search of his home last October, in an investigation that began in June 2008, when police received a complaint about child-pornography images uploaded to a photo-sharing site. Investigators found 1,600 photos and more than 50 videos on computer equipment linked to Voelckel, according to court documents, which say he did not deny possessing child pornography. Some of the children in the photos are described in the court documents as “known victims” as young as 8 years old, though there is no indication that Voelckel took any of the photos himself. In addition to possession, he also is charged with dealing in child pornography, because of records showing that he transferred files to other people. Prosecutors asked that his bail be set at $25,000, saying investigators found online chat records in which Voelckel expressed a desire to sexually abuse a 10-year-old, and noted that:
“While the defendant may wish to be released to the custody of his mother, it’s important to note that his mother was fully aware that he was downloading and viewing child pornography and saw no problem with it because she believed that the children who were being sexually abused were from other countries.”
The mother’s address is listed as the same as the suspect’s. Meantime, in addition to the charges, court documents also indicate authorities were seeking a warrant for his arrest as of a week ago; there is no indication that he has been booked into King County Jail, so we will be checking tomorrow on his status. (Note: This story was first reported earlier this afternoon at seattlepi.com; we subsequently obtained the court documents, from which we gathered all the information reported in our story.) ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB that Voelckel is scheduled for arraignment next Thursday, though he has not yet been booked.
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