WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Incidents at Harbor Ave. and 35th/Avalon 7-11s, Triangle mini-mart
Just before going off watch around 3 am, we heard a flurry of possible robbery calls. The police-radio traffic about them ebbed, so we asked for report narratives. SPD says two resulted in reports:
HARBOR AVE 7-11 ROBBERY: This was reported as “three young males” running into the store “yelling ‘This is a robbery’.” The clerk said they demanded that he open the register; no weapons were seen or implied, “but they were aggressive, and he felt fear,” the officer wrote in their report. Two started taking money while the third collected tobacco products; all three subsequently grabbed food items too. The report says security video reviewed by police showed two were dressed in all black, the third in a hoodie with blue jeans. They apparently waited “for the newspaper run to be delivered” and took the opportunity to run into the store just as the clerk was about to lock the door.
35TH/AVALON 7-11 THEFT: SPD said this did not result in a full report but the dispatch was for a report of theft from the 35th/Avalon 7-11 while the clerk had taken refuge in a locked area in the back.
FAUNTLEROY SHELL ROBBERY ATTEMPT: Police were called to the station/mini-mart in the 4500 block of Fauntleroy Way SW. The clerk said that less than 15 minutes earlier, a black four-door sedan pulled up and someone described as “male, in black clothing, black ski mask, approximately 5’8″” got out and tried to enter the mini-mart – but the clerk had already locked the door, which the person then tried, and failed, to force open. The clerk said he saw “another male in black clothing waiting next to the vehicle.” Both then got into the car and left. Police found more than 20 “tobacco products” outside the mini-mart door that might have been loot from one or both earlier incidents.
UPDATE: SFD, SPD response for stabbing in 3200 block Avalon Way
8:32 AM: SFD is sending a “scenes of violence” response, with police accompanying, to the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way for a call described as a “man with a stab wound to the arm.”
8:36 AM: They’re looking for a suspect described as a white woman in her 50s, 5’2″, wearing a beige beanie and black sweater.
8:43 AM: This happened in an apartment that officers are now approaching, they’ve told dispatch.
8:50 AM: No word yet on the status of the reported victim.
8:59 AM: Police just told dispatch the victim is declining SFD medical attention, so they’re canceling the responders who’ve been standing by.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Arbor Heights community mailbox ‘trashed’
5:47 PM: We photographed that mailbox on 40th between 102nd and 104th in Arbor Heights after a call from a reader who reported it “trashed.” He said it happened sometime in the past 48 hours, as he’d obtained mail from the box on Christmas Eve. He said he’s reported it to postal authorities and that anyone who regularly receives mail there will instead have to go to the Westwood Village post office, where it’ll be held until it’s deliverable again.
ADDED 10:50 PM: A nearby resident just sent this pic taken a few hours earlier than ours, and noted it appears the box was partly burned:
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Early-morning gunfire
Police confirmed gunfire in Upper Morgan after a report around 3:30 am today. We just received the narrative after requesting it. The call came from a resident in the 6300 block of 36th SW who told 911 they heard two shots, then saw a vehicle speeding away. A responding officer found one shell casing in the street. The person who had reported the gunfire said the vehicle was a “dark-colored sedan” but didn’t have any other information. No injuries or property damage reported. If you have any information about the incident, the police report # is 24-361497.
READER REPORT: Looking for hit-run witnesses
From Jacquelyn, looking for anyone who saw this hit-run around 6:20 pm last night (Wednesday, Christmas Day):
We got sideswiped hard on the west end of the West Seattle Bridge, where people tend to slide off the road at that curve. They drove off, of course. No lights on, I’m guessing they were drinking. It happened so fast, the car took off before we realized what happened, and all I remember was that it was a boxy older car like a Dodge or a Saturn. Silver, I think. Definitely a light color. They’ll have damage on the passenger side. The report number is 24-361252.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green Subaru Legacy wagon (update: found)
The report is from Stephanie:
My father’s green 1996 Subaru Legacy wagon was taken from in front of my house in the 9000 block of 36th Ave SW sometime after 11 pm last night. Plate: Oregon 611EBN. There’s a Powell Butte Middle School sticker on the driver’s-side rear window and chipped paint on the front bumper. Police report # 24-361121.
If you find it, call 911.
THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Found east of Westwood Village, Stephanie reports.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 notes
In West Seattle Crime Watch, three notes, starting with a followup:
STOLEN CHEROKEE RECOVERED: If you read the comments, you’ll know this case of a student’s stolen white Jeep Cherokee was resolved. We followed up with police, and here’s what they say happened: Thursday afternoon at about 1:43 pm, a Parking Enforcement officer spotted a vehicle identified as stolen, around 37th/Cloverdale, and it was the stolen Cherokee. Someone was inside. A patrol officer was sent. It had left the area but other officers spotted it near California/Myrtle, where, after officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver turned around in a dead-end and “rammed an SPD patrol vehicle and was last seen SB on California Ave SW from SW Myrtle.” The officer in the police car was not hurt. The stolen Cherokee was subsequently found, empty, still running, open door, punched ignition, in the 8800 block of 36th SW; its bumper (reader photo above) was at the scene of the collision. The Cherokee was taken to the SPD processing room to be checked for prints.
PACKAGE THEFT: Kevin reported this happened around 10:10 am Friday: “A package was stolen off my front porch in north of The Junction on SW Andover. It was a Black Audi Sedan with tinted windows. I watched a white male in his 40s-50s that was heavy set, maybe 5’7″-5’11,” gray hair and white stubble on face, wearing black jeans and a black hoodie at the time, run into the back seat of the car and take off. Just giving a heads up this holiday season. The license plate # (started with CLG).”
CAR BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Seanelle says this also happened Friday morning on Delridge Way SW (but no block or cross-street mentioned): “We found the driver’s-side handle of my sister’s 2016 Hyundai Accent on the ground beside her vehicle. It appears someone tried and failed to break into her car, although completely breaking the key hole and removing the handle with no additional attempts or vandalism. Sending as a crime watch for fellow West Seattle residents.”
CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Bus-driver murder suspect Richard Sitzlack arrested
5:34 AM: Minutes ago, Seattle Police announced that they’ve arrested Richard Sitzlack, suspected of stabbing Metro bus driver Shawn Yim to death Wednesday in the U District. No other details on the arrest yet, and he’s not yet on the King County Jail roster. Police had put out a bulletin for him on Thursday.
9:49 AM: SPD Blotter has since added:
Seattle Police officers were flagged down by a King County Metro driver near 3rd Avenue South and South Main Street, who informed them that Richard Sitzlack was believed to be on board. Police could see him asleep in the back of the bus.
Additional patrol officers were dispatched to the area, and he was arrested at 4:51 a.m. this morning.
Sitzlack was transported to Seattle Police Headquarters and interviewed by Homicide detectives. He will be booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Murder.
2:11 PM: More info has since come in from SPD and prosecutors. First – SPD has provided this video of the arrest on board a bus. Second, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says he’s not expected in court before Monday, but because a person can’t be held more than 48 hours without a determination of probable cause, a judge will make that decision sooner. The KCPAO notes that he was booked into jail at 9:43 am, about five hours post-arrest, and that Thursday (December 26) is the deadline for charges to be filed, assuming a judge decides today there’s probable cause to keep holding him.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire in Westwood (updated)
2:22 AM: SPD sent officers out to look for the source of possible gunfire after numerous 911 calls a short time ago from various areas, and they found it near Westwood Village. They’ve found shell casings – from a rifle – after a man told them someone in a car shot at him at the bus stop in the 2600 block of SW Barton. He apparently was not hurt. He told police the gunfire came from a dark-gray Acura with four people inside, described as Asian, male, late teens to early twenties, in blue clothing. The vehicle was last seen heading eastbound on Barton, which is temporarily closed at the scene while officers collect evidence.
2:49 AM: Officers are reopening the street, and also told dispatch they’ve collected 12 spent rounds and found gunshot damage on the ATI Physical Therapy building (along north side of Barton in WWV).
ADDED FRIDAY: Here’s the SPD summary – adding both that the shell casings were from three different types of guns, and that the reported target was on the shopping center premises when shot at:
At 0200 hours, numerous callers reported hearing shots spanning a large area of SW Pct. Officers conducted an extensive search and located a male at a bus stop in the 2600 block of SW Barton St who stated that he was the target of the shooting. This male made no attempt to call 911 or flag Officers down to report being shot at. This male stated that he had been standing at the bus shelter when a dark gray Acura drove past him. The vehicle was reportedly occupied by 4 A/M wearing blue. The vehicle made a U-turn, and the victim had a feeling he was about to be shot at, so he began to run north into the shopping complex. The suspect vehicle stopped in the roadway, shot at the victim as he ran, did not hit him and fled the area. Officers processed the scene and recovered the following fired cartridge casings: seven .223, three .357 and two 9mm. One building sustained damage from being struck multiple times by gunfire. No other victims were located at this time. No cameras were located that may have captured the incident.
CRIME WATCH: Have you seen Metro bus driver’s suspected killer? (update: arrested)
THURSDAY: A Metro driver and WSB reader asked us to share the photos of the man being sought in the murder of one of their co-workers in the U-District: “Do you mind posting on WSBlog the image and news release of the suspect in the murder of our coworker Shawn Yim, killed yesterday on the job? He is a known transient and rides the buses, so he can be anywhere (not just downtown Seattle or U-District) or as our WS neighbors ride into downtown and other areas they (may) recognize him. They can silently text 911 or they can tell their bus driver (they’ve been instructed how to safely handle notifying our dispatch). He needs to be caught and more eyes out there. Supposedly 6’5 in height – that could help sort out and distinguish in wondering if ‘him.’ Our coworkers are hurting and our whole city and communities are still in danger with him out there.” Here are two of the photos (see two others on SPD Blotter) and the police announcement:
Seattle police homicide detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Richard Sitzlack, who is believed to have stabbed a Metro coach driver in the University District Wednesday morning.
Sitzlack is a 53-year-old white male with brown eyes, brown hair, 6’5” tall, weighing 195 lbs. He was last seen wearing a navy-blue hooded sweatshirt, dark gray/blue jacket, black beanie, yellow backpack, blue camouflage pants, dark sneakers with white soles, carrying a red shopping bag.
Sitzlack is transient and frequents the University District and Downtown Seattle.
Do not attempt to approach Sitzlack, he is considered armed and dangerous. If anyone has information regarding his identity or location, please call 911 immediately.
SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: As reported separately, SPD says Sitzlack is in custody.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package-poaching suspect west of The Junction
9:16 AM: Texter called in – and radio exchanges confirm that police are looking for – a suspected package poacher in a gray Audi, last seen minutes ago a few blocks west of The Junction (49th/Hudson was mentioned most recently). Tipster says it’s a sedan, likely 2000s vintage, no plates, “driving recklessly.” No driver description so far. Call 911 if you see it.
10:16 AM: Texter has since described the driver as a Black man, “possibly 20s-40s, orange hooded construction jacket with white reflective stripes.”
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Student’s car stolen near school
One more stolen-car report:
Our son’s new to him/used 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with plates CNL6303 was stolen this afternoon from the area around Summit Atlas High School at Roxbury and 35th while he was in school. We don’t have an actual photo since it’s new to him, so (this) is the general idea. We would love to recover this as it won’t be valued as much as the work that was just put into it. Case # 24-355046.
If you find it, call 911.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen beige Silverado; business break-in
Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN SILVERADO: The photo and report were sent by Allen:
Our truck was stolen this morning in front of our house on 45th Ave SW, between Hinds and Hanford. It’s a beige 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, plate B71645G. Police report 24-354501.
Call 911 if you find it.
BUSINESS BREAK-IN: We heard a dispatch earlier today for broken glass at West Wings in The Admiral District, so we asked them if they’d been burglarized. According to co-proprietor Paul Burbano, the bar was broken into but damage was minimal; alarms went off so neighbors called SPD, for which West Wings says thanks. “It’s always a terrible thing when this happens around the holidays, of course.” Paul said. “But we’re OK and remain open for business.”
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Hit-run victim sought; pet attacked; stolen car found in unusual spot
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
HIT-RUN VICTIM SOUGHT: Sent late tonight by Jojo (who redacted the plate):
Hoping to find the young man hit by a car today near Westwood village at around 5:30 pm. We saw the car that hit him take off. We followed the car and got pictures and the license plate number. We came back around the block to check on the victim but he must’ve got on one of the busses there. We saw that he was limping and hope he’s ok. We did make a police report and hope the victim will call them and tell them what happened.
PET ATTACKED: Ilana says this happened “Monday morning at about 8:00 am on the corner of California Ave and Lander (across from the Admiral Safeway)”:
I was walking my dog and a guy waiting at the bus stop on California and Lander steped in front of me and kicked my dogI I had seen him and deliberately tried to move out of his way but he just moved in front of me. I seriously lost it on him (sorry to everyone around for all of the profanity) and called the police to file a report. A woman at the bus stop told me he randomly did the same to her dog a few days ago. When he got on the #50 bus, my husband picked me up and we followed the bus until it stopped and I jumped on the bus and got this picture of the guy.
The bus driver also called the police but to my knowledge he was not apprehended.
Police report # is 24-352555.
STOLEN CAR FOUND: This one caught our ear early Tuesday as a stolen car was found abandoned in the middle of an intersection atop a hill (39th/Thistle). Witnesses saw the apparent driver walking away northbound on 39th. Police determined the car, a 2007 Mazda 3, had been reported stolen from a Gatewood home less than a mile north, and that the alleged thief was related to the car’s owner. They got the car back but the suspect hadn’t been found/arrested by the time we obtained the report narrative.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Impreza
From the WSB inbox, a stolen car to watch for:
1999 white Subaru Impreza Outback
plate # BZR4836
Last seen on 47th & Alaska Street last night (12-14) around midnight.
If you find it, call 911. (We’ll add the police-report number when we get it.)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: South Delridge robbery; Morgan Junction burglary; porch prowler; multi-agency response
Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
SECOND 7-ELEVEN ROBBERY OF THE DAY: After the robbery on which we reported late last night, there was another one at a West Seattle 7-Eleven hours later – the South Delridge 7-Eleven was held up just before 5:30 am. The initial description of the robbers – four Black teenagers, black clothing and masks, armed with a gun and a knife, who got away with cash and “tobacco products.” Police believe the same robbers were involved in an overnight robbery in North Seattle. If you have any information, the incident number is 24-349592.
MORGAN JUNCTION BURGLARY: After hearing a bit about this break-in via police radio after it was reported around 1 am today, we requested the narrative from SPD. It says that officers were dispatched to Waterfront Federal Credit Union in the 6400 block of Fauntleroy Way SW after an alarm trip revealed a video feed showing someone inside. That person was gone by the time officers responded. They found the building opened and that someone had used the kitchen. The burglar seen on the video was described as ” a white male, thin build wearing a beanie with a black coat and dark camouflage pants.” There was a report of a car outside the building that disappeared after the burglar did, but no description. The credit union contact wasn’t immediately sure if anything had been taken; police did find likely fingerprints and used “print cards” for evidence.
PROWLER: A reader sent this report:
Last night around 2 am a man walked up to the door of a home I am dog-sitting at and after knocking at the front door continued to walk around the property. He appears to be intoxicated. Police were called shortly after the man was seen but had left the property once police had been called. There was no sign of break-in, a few door handles rattled but nothing else. I wanted to share this (image) if anyone might know who he is or has seen him.
I also have a photo that I just received from the neighbors of the house I am staying at. The person who tried to open the doors to the house also kicked the side fence down. They either came in through the fence, having come through the neighbors yard first or left through the fence before police arrived.
This happened on 41st SW – we have a followup question out asking where on that street, which runs north to south along almost the entire peninsula.
P.S. – MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE: Several readers reported what looked like a pursuit around 2 pm today, with non-Seattle police vehicles roaring off Harbor SW and onto the West Seattle Bridge, last seen exiting onto I-5. We asked around this afternoon to try to find out what that was about and haven’t yet had any luck.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 35th/Barton 7-Eleven robbed
(WSB photo)
9:07 PM: Police are searching for a group of robbers who are reported to have taken the cash drawer from the 35th/Barton 7-Eleven store a little over half an hour ago. They are described on police radio as “unknown-race males, teens-twenties, black puffy jackets, hats, masks,” with a gun implied but not seen, getting away southbound on 35th. A K-9 team is joining the search.
9:13 PM: The trail is reported to have ended on 34th, where police suspect a getaway car was parked.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green Jeep Cherokee
Tricia sent the report and photo:
2001 Jeep Cherokee, Green, 4-door, license plate CHM7207
Stolen by breaking a window. 12/12/24. Back bumper cover has a dent in it
Last location 31st Ave SW/Roxbury.
Call 911 if you find it; refer to police incident #24-348575.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Coffee stand break-in; potential carjacking attempt
Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:
COFFEE STAND BURGLARY: After hearing a bit about this on police radio earlier today, we requested the report narrative from SPD. An employee arriving at the Mighty Mugs drive-up coffee stand on West Marginal Way SW just north of Highland Park Way after 4 am this morning saw a broken window and an intruder inside. So she went elsewhere and called police. Nearby, they found a 21-year-old woman who told officers she had broken the coffee-stand window to get in because she was cold. Police went in and reported the interior looked ransacked. They say they found the suspect to be in possession of a container of what tested out as meth; they took her to jail but the booking was declined because of “drug intoxication.” So she was taken to Harborview instead.
CARJACKING ATTEMPT? We also asked SPD about a call early Tuesday labeled as a possible carjacking attempt. Here’s what the report says: Around 6:11 am, a woman called 911 and met police near California/Admiral to report what happened. She said she was driving on SW Hanford at California when she saw a man “sprinting down the sidewalk” before he ran in front of her car, “causing her to stop in the travel lane.” The report narrative continues, “The suspect then approached the driver-side door. (The driver) advised it appeared that the suspect was possibly going for her driver-side door. She then kept driving northbound on California Av SW, called 911, and stood by for officers.” She described the suspect as a white man in his 30s, thin, 6′, blonde hair, wearing a black puffy jacket and black pants, last seen running northbound on California. The driver said he did not say anything to her but had “something in his hands.” Officers searched the area but didn’t find anyone.
Unified Care Team leaders explain encampment work, plus rest of the story from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting
(L-R, Unified Care Team’s Ali Peters and Darius Foster, SW Precinct Capt. Krista Bair)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
We’ve already reported the two major headlines from last week’s quarterly Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting – an update on the shooting death of 15-year-old Sudaysi Ida, and news of a one-day retail-theft crackdown at Westwood Village.
Now, the rest of the news from the meeting, facilitated by Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite. Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair was there, Operations Lt. Nate Shopay too, community liaison Officer German Barreto, Unified Care Team director Ali Peters and UCT manager Darius Foster, who focuses on the south end via SDOT, plus two Community Service Officers and two reps from the mayor’s office.
PRECINCT UPDATE: After the two updates mentioned earlier. Capt. Bair opened the floor to Q&A. A resident of the 25th/Brandon area said “it’s an interesting place to live” – no break-ins or robberies on their block but they’re “surrounded by disorganized crime” within a few blocks – homes with too many people living there, ‘we’ve talked to the police ad nauseam and finally given up.” They’re trying to beat back the disorder. “Do you guys know roughly what the population in our precinct is?” Bair didn’t know (but we can offer the estimate of 115,000, since it’s West Seattle and South Park) – Satterwhite will look into it. Bair said “we have a staffing issue” but said she was very excited to hear that SPD hiring “is picking up in numbers – for a while it was trickling in”; not everybody qualified all the way through the process, but now they have 8 to 10 officer candidates going through the academy and they’re “feeling very positive … we’re moving in the right direction – getting some quality candidates.” Regarding the SW precinct, between the three watches, each one has about 20 people or so “BUT we don’t always have 20 people working at any given time.”
They launched into more detailed discussion of specific houses near the attendee’s block.
Read More
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver Prius; porch prowler
Two reader reports this afternoon:
STOLEN PRIUS: T says this theft happened in the Alki area:
We live in Port Townsend and was bummed after staying first night in West Seattle. I mistakenly left my keys in my coat in our silver Prius parked on 56th SW. My husband used his FOB to lock the car at about 8 pm Dec 3rd. We went out 5:30 am to meet my son who was scheduled for his open heart surgery at 6 am at U of W. and the car was gone!!! We were calling police, geico and for a cab – so stressful. The car has a yellow and black bumper sticker “Save a Nurse – Wear a Mask” and “Vote for Ammunition Control.” Also, my key ring is obviously gone – has anyone found a set of keys that has a painter’s palette on it?
We’ll add the plate and report numbers when we get them. (SUNDAY UPDATE: Plate AYF6993 and case number 24-341102.)
PORCH PROWLER: Sent by a Morgan Junction resident:
This guy was on our porch rummaging around at 1:15 this morning. He left behind an orange electric plug adapter and a blue collar for a cat or small dog.
Why Guardian One helicopter is over White Center
We’re getting some questions about the King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian One helicopter flying over downtown White Center. According to a bulletin shared over the Seattle Police airwaves and subsequent discussion on KCSO radio, they’re investigating a robbery at 15th/100th. The robber “ran eastbound and linked up with (two other people),” according to KCSO radio. The robber took the victim’s cell phone. No description(s) yet.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 9 arrested at Westwood Village
Also from last night’s Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting – precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair told attendees that nine people had been arrested in an operation at Westwood Village earlier in the day. She said three stores – Target, Marshalls, and Ulta Beauty – had been reporting particularly egregious trouble with thieves, so they got some extra help to go after the problem. The newfound ability of the King County Jail to book misdemeanor suspects played a role in their ability to do this, Capt. Bair said, noting that six of the nine arrestees were booked into jail. Previously, without the ability to book such suspects, she said, “for a while it was a free-for-all there … today we let them know, that’s not the case.” The department’s General Investigations Unit and Community Response Group were involved, she said, making those nine arrests in three hours. “Those businesses really appreciated it.” We don’t have the suspects’ names yet but SPD says the charges they face include “theft, burglary, assault, and warrants.” (Our report on the major topic of the rest of last night’s meeting, the Unified Care Team, is still in the works.)
| 11 COMMENTS