ORIGINAL 6:10 PM REPORT: A new development in the search for the man who killed four Lakewood Police officers in a Pierce County coffee shop this morning: Authorities have gone public with the photo at left, saying that 37-year-old Maurice Clemmons is a “person of interest” with whom they want to speak in connection with the deadly ambush. The Seattle Times (WSB partner) has a story about his lengthy criminal history; he is reported to have been in jail until posting bond six days ago, facing charges including child rape. If you have any information about him, the official tip line is 1-866-977-2362. The four murdered officers also have just been identified – here’s the official announcement. The Lakewood Police union’s site has info on how to help their families. 9:00 PM: From left, Officer Tina Griswold, Officer Ronald Owens, Sgt. Mark Renninger, Officer Greg Richards.
9:48 PM: The search for the person of interest has expanded to Seattle – the Leschi neighborhood (which also, you may recall, is the area where SPD Officer Tim Brenton was killed). 12:42 AM: Real-time updates continue courtesy of our fellow independent neighborhood-news service, Central District News, at centraldistrictnews.com. We’re continuing to monitor and will update when there’s something major but otherwise, CD News is where to get the moment-by-moment. 3:10 AM: A briefing at the scene of the Leschi standoff – now in its 7th hour – has yielded new information, including Maurice Clemmons‘ description changing from “person of interest” to “suspect” – this, authorities say, because he was shot. They don’t know if he’s dead or alive. CD News is continuing to add updates to this report. 9:04 AM: He wasn’t there after all. Now the search has moved on to the U-District; here’s the latest from the Times – and the warning to people at the UW is confirmed by a WSB’er who sent us the e-mail alert that went around, saying simply, “Lakeland shooting suspect may be in University area. Police responding. Be alert.” 10 AM: That search is said to have been called off, but there’s another one under way in Beacon Hill.
Several people have reported seeing/hearing this — multiple police cars and officers, reportedly including King County Sheriff’s Office as well as Seattle Police with K-9, involved in a search in Seaview overnight, between 2 and 4 am. (Phone-cam photo at left.) We’ve received reports from several spots along 49th SW (map), including this post in the WSB Forums. No official information so far but via Facebook, Deirdre – who was in the search zone, and says officers told her to stay inside – says she finally got a dispatcher to tell her that it was a case of someone running away after “a traffic stop,” and says they told her someone had been taken into custody. We may not be able to get any official details before early tomorrow morning but will update, whenever we do.
Not West Seattle news, but so soon after former West Seattleite Officer Timothy Brenton was murdered here in our city … this is the region’s biggest story today, and we’re noting here in case you had not heard: Someone went into a coffee shop in Lakewood, south of Tacoma, around 8:15 this morning, where four police officers — whose marked cars were outside — were working on their laptops, and shot them all dead. KING5 is streaming investigation coverage; our partners at the Seattle Timeshave just published an update, including a preliminary description from a Pierce County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson; there’s also continuing coverage online at the Tacoma-based News-Tribune site. If any official “be on the lookout” bulletin comes out at some point, we will add it here, since so far there is no word of an arrest. According to KING, this hotline’s been set up for tips: 866-977-2362. 12:46 PM UPDATE: No major new information so far. The officers have been identified only as a Lakewood Police patrol team, 3 men, one woman. Among those who have spoken to the media is Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor; a media friend shared with us this link we wanted to pass on: something wrenching and important he published on his website after attending Officer Brenton’s funeral. 1:20 PM: Pierce County’s website is posting its updates in a special box on the home page – here’s the link. 3:24 PM: The Lakewood police union has published a statement that includes information on how to assist the murdered officers’ families.
They stole my neighbor’s car (Friday) night, an old Bronco, on Holden St. between 41st and California (map).
I believe they were pros as they broke the window and no one woke up except my cats. I looked out and saw the car rolling down the hill, but it was too late.
Last year my car was broken into the same way. Didn’t hear the window break. Didn’t wake up till they opened the door and the car alarm went off.
My boyfriend and I live in Highland Park. We got home from a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Got up to go to work and his car was stolen from our driveway. We live on 8100 block of 14th [map]. It’s a white Nissan 240sx with bronze wheels and a loud exhaust. Please e-mail tanyacoy@ymail.com or my cell #20677984898. Thank you so much for your time.
The murder trial of Amanda Knox, whose mother Edda Mellas lives in West Seattle, could be over by this time next week. Mellas and Knox’s father Curt Knox are back in Italy now to await the verdict, but today they got unexpected news: They’ve received notice that Italian authorities are investigating them — allegedly for defamation because of their claim last year that their daughter said police had treated her roughly. This news broke after their live TV interview earlier today with CBS, in which they discussed evidence in the case and what happens if the verdict isn’t what they hope it will be:
Knox has been in custody for more than two years, since her arrest a few days after the November 2007 murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy. Her parents told citywide media that they bought her ticket home before flying to Italy for the remainder of the trial.
Two things to mention: First, we just checked out a tip about a notable police response in The Junction near the Chase bank branch. An ambulance was called too; turns out, police tell us at the scene, to have been a fight between two people described as transients. Second, just got this note from Courtney at Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor) across from Jefferson Square:
I thought it might be worth mentioning that I just watched a coyote run down the middle of 42nd Street. It briefly ducked into the parking garage under Jefferson Square and then came out (with a bunch of crows giving chase) and ran north on 42nd toward Alaska Street. I lost sight of it after that, and it all happened faster than I could react to snap a photo. I only mention this for any potential safety issues both for the public and the animal, and also to see if anyone else can confirm the sighting or if I am just sitting here in the frame shop hallucinating…
Before we go into something resembling holiday-news mode (we’ve got some great stories to share during the day, plus we’ll be on standby for breaking news, 24-7-365 means 24-7-365), we’ve got 6 Crime Watch reports to share. First some good news: In the WSB Forums, The Velvet Bulldog reports progress in the search for the hit-run driver who caused her big trouble six months ago – here’s her update; here’s the original post. Next – Unsolved (so far) cases, starting with one we found via Twitter, putting out the word about another work truck stolen, this time in West Seattle: 1980 GMC 4-door green full-size pickup with black racks. “Two ‘kids’ drove it off,” according to the truck owner’s spouse. It’s been reported to police, so call 911 if you’ve seen it. More ahead, including uniforms missing after a car break-in at the beach – read on:Read More
Just posted at SPDBlotter: Southwest Precinct investigators who’ve been working on dental-office break-ins in West Seattle and citywide are asking your help in finding the man shown at left. Here’s the text of the alert: “Seattle Police detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Shane L. Carlson, 26, in connection with the recent pattern of dental/medical office burglaries in recent months. Carlson in the prime suspect in these burglaries, most of which have occurred in North and West Seattle, but also in Bothell, Shoreline and Bellevue since May of this year. Carlson has multiple warrants for his arrest, including a $100,000 Burglary 2nd Degree warrant and a $150,000 Possession of Stolen Property and Violation of Uniformed Controlled Substances Act (drugs) warrant. He is described as a white male, 26 years old, 5′6″, 155 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a thin build. He has a scar on his face and tattoos on his left shoulder, upper left arm and back. He may be driving a green 1998 Range Rover or a champagne-colored 2001 Cadillac DeVille. He may frequent North King County or South Snohomish County.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 or Detective Bauer at (206) 233-7830. Those wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486″ to ensure proper routing. If a tip leads to an arrest and the filing of charges, callers may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.“
(very brief clip added 9:09 pm, K-9 crew returning to SPD car after searching) ORIGINAL 7:21 PM REPORT: (original headline described “assault with weapons” call) All we can tell so far from the scanner is that police are looking for a suspect who ran west from the scene in the 7600 block of 8th SW (map), and that there is an “injured victim.” More as we get it. 7:35 PM UPDATE: No details on the circumstances but a private ambulance has been called to take the victim to the hospital, a general indication the injury’s not major. According to SeattleCrime.com, this started as a robbery. 8:03 PM UPDATE: Details now directly from Seattle Police media unit Det. Jeff Kappel: The call came in to 911 as a robbery around 7:10 pm; officers found a man who had apparently been robbed at gunpoint, then hit on the head with “the butt of what we believe is a shotgun wielded by the suspect,” said Kappel. The robber then ran or walked away; Kappel says the only description they have to work with right now is “black male, 30s, black skullcap, Army fatigues, gold tooth.” WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Just checked back with SPD. They did not find the robber last night, so he’s still out there somewhere. Also one clarification on circumstances – the victim was confronted, robbed and beaten as he was getting out of his car at his home, according to SPD’s Det. Mark Jamieson in the media unit.
The verdict’s in for DeShawn “Cash Money” Clark, the teenage pimp linked to a gang called the Westside Street Mobb: Guilty. He’s the first person convicted under King County’s human-trafficking law. Though the gang was said to have originated in West Seattle, Clark’s crimes did not happen here – court documents and testimony focused on a Des Moines Memorial Drive apartment as well as Seattle, Tukwila and Portland hotels. Our partners at the Seattle Times have been covering the case closely; here’s their story on the verdict; a news release from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says five other Westside Street Mobb members have pleaded guilty in related cases and are facing prison time – Clark could get up to 26 years.
It was one of this fall’s most memorable Crime Watch stories – a Gatewood burglary victim (who subsequently identified himself here as “burglarbustindad“) followed a hunch to a supermarket Coinstar machine, where he found the 19-year-old who’d broken into his house, cashing in the change from BBD’s son’s coin jar. Commenting on another story last Friday, BBD disclosed that the person he caught, Kenneth Shouting, had pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Checking court records this morning, we found that indeed, Shouting pleaded guilty last month to residential burglary and was sentenced to 12 months plus 1 day in prison, which is within the “standard sentencing range.” According to court documents, Shouting’s past record included a conviction for attempted burglary almost two years ago – a case from Normandy Park, in which he also pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to serve less than 3 months behind bars.
STOLEN VIOLINS: Joanposted about this in the WSB Forums, and Ricardo has a story on our partner site White Center Now: 2 violins, in a rare double case, stolen from a truck on the Seattle side of White Center yesterday. The violins aren’t worth that much – but the sentimental value is high – and owner Mike teaches violin, so they’re part of his livelihood. This is a Seattle Police case; contact info is in the links above.
STOLEN TRUCK: @alpacadero via Twitter wanted to ask people to be on the lookout for a stolen truck used for work, stolen Friday night from the 9800 block of 18th SW (map). It’s described as a “white Ford utility truck w/ auto crane, welder, etc.” similar to this. That’s King County Sheriff’s Office territory but 911 should be able to help if you see it.
2 friends of ours called this morning to say they were travelling south on Hwy 99 and think they saw Patrick’s stolen van. We went down there; sure enough, there it was on the side of the road. They left a handwritten note on the washers “Out of Gas”. We still had to have it towed because the ignition was messed up when they hotwired it. So glad we put the word out. I hope they had to walk in the rain.
Betsy reports a burglary on 26th SW in North Delridge – and says she came face-to-face with one of the burglars when she arrived at her neighboring home around 1 pm — “a slender, dark-skinned African American man between the ages of 17-24 walking out of my neighbor’s house carrying a large bag.” She continues:
I confronted the perp who said he was “visiting a friend.” Another young man came out of the neighbor’s yard carrying a bag, saw me, and turned around and ran out the back. The young man I saw looked like he was of east or north African descent – high cheekbones, very slender build, dark complexion. I was on the phone with police instantly. The neighbor got home while I was still calling in the crime and he saw his house had been ransacked, trashed, and all his valuables stolen. Including his rent money as he has been working overtime to pay the rent. They were broken into a week ago but someone was home; they noticed someone casing the house a few days ago, and we saw someone prowling the house YESTERDAY but the police said they could do nothing because no crime was committed. The cars of interest are a RED SUV and a RED/MAROON midsized sedan.
ADDED 8:41 PM: Betsy has included more description information in comments. Meantime, we have had another break-in report – sent by two of the victim’s neighbors, and mentioned in comments – on 47th near Andover (map).
We’ve been covering this story since night before last on partner site White Center Now, when several people sent tips about the crash and resulting traffic trouble – but now investigators are casting a wider net in trying to solve the hit and run (16th/106th) that sent a developmentally disabled man to the hospital, where deputies say he remains in critical condition. If you have any leads on a vehicle that might fit the description above, a $1,000 reward is offered, and 911 will take your tip.
Less than three weeks after the Halloween night shooting that shook the city and took Officer Timothy Brenton‘s life, his partner Officer Britt Sweeney is telling her story. That video clip is from Wednesday night’s Q13 FOX newscast; Sweeney talked with anchor David Rose during a taping of the station’s “Washington’s Most Wanted” show. She told the station she’s still hoping to get back to work as soon as possible.
I read the West Seattle Crime (Watch) frequently since our home was burglarized back in August. Wanted to report that our SUV was vandalized night of November 16 — someone keyed along the entire length of the car. It was parked on the street on 41 between Dakota and Andover. This just continues the disturbing trend of property theft and damage that our neighborhood is experiencing.
Second, a quick followup on last Thursday’s arrest of four teenagers who are believed to be linked to West Seattle/White Center convenience-store robberies as well as the Rainier Valley robbery after which they were arrested. All are now charged – only in connection with that robbery, so far – the three 16-year-olds are charged as adults, the 13-year-old as a juvenile. We will continue to watch the case to see what happens as they move through the system, including whether they are charged in the local holdups.
STOLEN VAN: Stephanie hopes you can help track down the van her husband needs for his blacksmith/metal-arts work: “Our 1986 Toyota van (silver with black steel racks with red tops on four corners) was stolen last night, 11/16. It’s a work van, really important. We live on 12th Avenue near Elmgrove [map]. Anyone who sees this van, please call it in. Thanks.”
NEWEST STATS: Just as Stephanie‘s note came in, a short meeting for the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council was wrapping up. The key information presented – the newest West Seattle crime stats:
Car thefts: “Up a little bit” – 2 recent arrests, too
Car prowls: Up a LOT – 30 more in West Seattle in the past month, than a month earlier
Residential burglaries: DOWN a LOT – 47 in West Seattle in the past month, down from 62 in the previous month
Some interesting context to those trends – and some reasons for hope they might all be on the downside soon – read on for more details:Read More
The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council‘s monthly meeting is coming up shortly – 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster) — so we’ll get the newest info there about local crime trends. But first – two quick reports about car and home break-ins – read on:Read More
In recent weeks, we’ve reported on a string of holdups at West Seattle/White Center-area convenience stores. Now, Seattle Police think they have the suspects in custody. The 4 juvenile male suspects actually were arrested after a robbery in the Rainier Valley (4400 S. Mead; map) last Thursday – written up on the SPDBlotter here without any mention of other incidents – then today, we confirmed with the SPD Media Unit that Southwest Precinct detectives believe those same suspects are linked to the robberies in this area. Det. Renee Witt in the Media Unit tells us three of the suspects are 16, and the fourth is 13. Prosecutors are working on charges against the four; we don’t know for sure yet which ones they’ll be charged in connection with, but some of the recent robberies (as linked from the WSB Crime Watch page) included two in one night in early November and a robbery shortly after a holdup attempt on the night of October 22nd.
We live at 41st and SW Holgate [map], and woke up last night to a noise (what I now think in retrospect was the sound of my car door slamming shut). My GF and I both heard a car out on the street and went to the bedroom window to take a look. There was a red extended cab Dodge pickup (that’s the ID from my girlfriend, since I didn’t have my glasses on) driving VERY slowly east down the hill on holgate. We heard some talking, and actually saw someone run up to the truck from further north on 41st (where it dead ends). We thought it was kind of suspicious, obvs, but the truck turned around on Holgate and went back south on 41st.
I wish we would have called the cops, because when I went out to my car in the driveway this morning, the contents of my center console were strewn about the car. Nothing was missing, because there was nothing of value to be had (except for my brand new stereo, which was left untouched). I called SPD this morning and made a report, and Officer Jorgensen (6122) came by within 30 minutes. He said there’s been a rash of car prowls, but primarily in the area south of WS High School. He gave me a case number, and said the info was useful for them for trending/tracking purposes. Anyway, just a reminder for neighbors to keep their eyes peeled, and don’t be shy about calling if something doesn’t seem right. (OFC Jorgensen’s words).
2 West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share – starting with a home burglarized while its residents were asleep. We got this one thirdhand, so we checked with the Southwest Precinct, where Lt. Steve Paulsen confirmed the details: The house in the 5200 block of 35th SW (map) was broken into Tuesday night. The burglar(s) broke a basement window to get in; police say the items stolen included a camera, laptop, purse, credit card, and calling card. And one unusual detail: The burglar(s) tried to disable the home phone by jamming a button. One more case ahead – call it a backyard break-in:Read More
Office as well as 
Before we go into something resembling holiday-news mode (we’ve got some great stories to share during the day, plus we’ll be on standby for breaking news, 24-7-365 means 24-7-365), we’ve got 6 Crime Watch reports to share. First some good news: 
citywide are asking your help in finding the man shown at left. Here’s the text of the alert: “Seattle Police detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Shane L. Carlson, 26, in connection with the recent pattern of dental/medical office burglaries in recent months. Carlson in the prime suspect in these burglaries, most of which have occurred in North and West Seattle, but also in Bothell, Shoreline and Bellevue since May of this year. Carlson has multiple warrants for his arrest, including a $100,000 Burglary 2nd Degree warrant and a $150,000 Possession of Stolen Property and Violation of Uniformed Controlled Substances Act (drugs) warrant. He is described as a white male, 26 years old, 5′6″, 155 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a thin build. He has a scar on his face and tattoos on his left shoulder, upper left arm and back. He may be driving a green 1998 Range Rover or a champagne-colored 2001 Cadillac DeVille. He may frequent North King County or South Snohomish County.
followed a hunch to a supermarket Coinstar machine, where 
Car thefts: “Up a little bit” – 2 recent arrests, too
Residential burglaries: DOWN a LOT – 47 in West Seattle in the past month, down from 62 in the previous month
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