SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Remember the food-bank-fundraising buskers we told you about earlier? We just found out that one musician’s car was stolen while they were performing:

Stolen VW Golf, 2005
Gray, WA plate 612-ZHK
(Pic shows roof just before it was repainted, roof now has new paint)

Parked at the paid lot on 44th, between Alaska and Edmunds
(paid and have the receipt!)
Parked at 10:50 am today, Saturday Dec. 23 to busk for the Food Bank
Returned to the lot at 1:15 pm and the car was gone.
It’s a manual transmission, so hopefully it didn’t go too far.

Police report filed.
If you see the car please call 9-1-1 and give report # 23-367922

SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Found … abandoned one lot away from where it was taken … with a candy cane and “Merry Christmas” note on the door.

(SPD dash-cam image from charging documents, showing pursued vehicle knocking down road markers)

10:40 AM: The three teenagers arrested Monday night after a police pursuit that followed three West Seattle incidents are now charged.

All three are scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 pm today on three charges each, according to the documents we received from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office early this morning. We are not naming them because they are charged as juveniles. Each is charged with one count of first-degree attempted robbery and one count of second-degree robbery; Suspects #1 and #3, 14 and 16 years old, are each charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission, while suspect #2, 14, is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

The narrative in the charging documents says the three calls came in to 911 within the span of eight minutes just before 10 pm on Monday – first 2800 block of Alki, then 59th/Admiral, then 5700 block of Beach Drive. All listed similar descriptions of the people involved and a “silver vehicle.” One officer saw a silver Hyundai U-turning on Beach Drive while he was responding to the Beach Drive call – the victim pointed to it and he asked “is that them?” – and the pursuit began shortly after that. The driver – allegedly 14-year-old Suspect #1 (identified later via a specific piece of clothing seen on dash-cam video) – subsequently led officers on a chase at – as we reported that night – speeds up to 90 mph, before police deployed a “tire deflator device,” which led to them stopping and running near the north end of Boeing Field.

Here’s what the victims told police about what happened: In the 2800 block of Alki, he left his workplace and crossed the street to his parked car, and when starting to open it was approached by a masked person who said “give me your car, I have a gun.” He closed and locked his car and ran away back to his workplace to call 911.

At 59th/Admiral, three minutes later, a woman had just parked near her home and was responding to a text message when someone started banging on her car windows. She backed out of the space in a panic – reportedly hitting the suspects’ car in the process; as she drove away, she told police, they pursued her, but she lost them.

In the 5700 block of Beach Drive, the victim had just walked back to her car after viewing Christmas lights when “three males … swarmed” her, police wrote, demanding “give me the keys, give me the car.” One went into her car and stole her phone as well as one belonging to a friend who had accompanied her. She fled to a nearby house, tried to seek help “but was unsuccessful,” went back to her car figuring they were gone, but they weren’t; she said one grabbed her legs and threatened to shoot her, before they took her key fob and fled. Police were on the way because a witness had called, hearing the victim scream.

The charging documents do not include information about where the suspects live. Online records do not show previous cases for any of them. They continue to be held in juvenile detention; that will be reviewed again when they are arraigned this afternoon, and we’ll update.

8:50 PM: All pleaded not guilty at their arraignments today, and Judge Nelson Lee ordered all three to remain in juvenile detention. That will be reviewed again when they return to court January 3rd.

3:45 AM: Police responding to an alarm at the Westwood Village Game Stop store around 2:45 am reported finding “a vehicle in the building.” Whoever was in the vehicle was gone before officers arrived. No further details so far, but we’ll follow up.

8:47 AM: Here’s what SPD tells us: “Officers arrived and found a KIA sedan had been reversed into the entry doors of a business in the Westwood Village. Once inside the store, the burglars stole various game consoles before fleeing in a second vehicle. All three suspects were described to be Black males wearing masks, hooded sweatshirts, black pants, and black shoes. The keyholders of the business responded after the building was cleared by police. The vehicle used to break into the business was abandoned and an unreported stolen. It was impounded for evidence processing.” (“Unreported stolen” means the owner didn’t know it was gone until contacted by police.)

9:22 AM: We just went over. They’re closed while still doing inventory and cleanup.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

TOOL THEFT TURNED ROBBERY: We noted a robbery call logged very early this morning and asked SPD for details: “Police responded to a report of a robbery in the 4500 block of 36 AV SW around 4:30 a.m. this morning. Officers responded and located the victim, who was pepper sprayed. It was reported the victim was confronting two suspects who were stealing tools from his vehicle. The suspects left in a truck northbound from the location. SFD responded to provide aid. Unknown what was taken at this time.” No description of the truck or robbers yet, pending the full report.

STOLEN VAN: More stolen tools – inside the work van taken from Jayson:

I just bought an older work van. Last night it was stolen. 2002 Ford E150 (cargo style van). It’s all black (black wheels) with knobby tires. It was parked at 4727 42nd Ave SW in front of Safeway. It had all of my bigger work tools and some lumber in it.

License number CKF 1516
Police/Incident report: 23-364747

If you see it, please let me know. 206-696-3429 Also, if anyone needs a handyman within walking distance of the Alaska Junction, call me. I still have hand tools and need the work!

APPARENTLY ABANDONED VEHICLES: The gray Kia reported yesterday has been claimed. Maybe one or both of these have owners out there too. Daniel sent the report and photos from the neighborhood just south of Admiral Church:

Reporting on two seemingly abandoned vehicles in North Admiral. The black KIA with a broken-out rear window and ignition/steering column damage has been parked on Ferry Ave for over a month.

The dilapidated RV with both expired tabs and a funky looking short term parking permit (the second of two) also expired has been there for a couple of weeks.

He says both have been on Parking Enforcement radar for at least a week but they’re still there.

24 hours ago, we were reporting on the arrests of three teenagers near Boeing Field, pursued there by police after a three-incident crime rampage in West Seattle. This afternoon all three had their first court appearance, and we just received the toplines from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Two of the suspects are 14 years old; the third is 16. Probable cause was found to hold all three for investigation of two counts of attempted first-degree robbery. All three were ordered to remain in secure detention, at least until their next hearing on Thursday, which is also the deadline for rush-filing charges. And assuming they’re charged, that’s when we’ll find out more about them, such as whether any of them have records.

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:

MAIL THEFT AT THE WHITTAKER: The big apartment complex at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW has sent this alert to its tenants:

We are writing to inform you regarding a recent theft incident that occurred within our community. It has come to our attention that a male individual gained access to the North building mailroom early Saturday morning and committed mail theft. This individual appeared to have the postal office’s master key and opened the mailboxes. He gained access to about half of the North building’s mailboxes.

We are actively working with local authorities and the Postal Office to investigate this matter. In the meantime, we urge you to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local authorities immediately…. We understand the concern this may cause and want to assure you that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent any recurrence. If you have any information related to this incident, please contact Seattle PD or Postal Office.

Management also has offered advice to residents such as “retrieve your mail promptly after delivery” and to call 911 about suspicious activity in the mailbox area or parking garage. They’re also reminding residents to “remain at the gate until it closes behind you” when driving into the garage, to “prevent anyone from slipping past the gate and entering the residential space.”

ABANDONED/POSSIBLY STOLEN KIA: Dave sent this report:

At 9:45 pm last night I saw a gray Kia with its lights off taking a right onto Barton street from 36th. I thought the car was acting strange because it was going so slow and when I tried to signal the lights were off the person was clearly trying not to look at me. At 9:48 as I was walking back home I saw the car take a left back onto 36th but from Cambridge so it circled the block. The car stopped on the corner and parked the wrong way. I was waiting for my dog to go to the bathroom and saw the car’s interior lights turn on and then someone exit 2 minutes later walking up Cambridge toward 35th. I checked on the car this morning and it’s still there with its license plate gone, driver-side window broken, steering column messed up, and it had been rummaged through.

Dave was having trouble reporting it; since it was parked the wrong way, we suggested he try Parking Enforcement, 206-386-9012.

MORE CAR BREAK-INS: Kiera sent this report:

We live in the Fairmount Park area and came out (Monday) morning to find a foreign jacket in the front seat of our car. Apparently, we had accidentally left the doors unlocked. Luckily, there was nothing of value inside, but still a bit unnerving. My husband was about to throw the jacket in the trash bin when our neighbor said it belonged to him and his truck was broken into as well. Unfortunately, his window was smashed but he got his jacket back so I guess it could’ve been worse. As a 5th generation West Seattle-ite, I am so heartbroken about the ever-increasing crime that is plaguing our beloved community. It’s not something I will ever get used to. We need to do something, it needs to stop.

10:04 PM: Police suspect the same people are behind three incidents they’re investigating right now – all involving a vehicle described as a gray Nissan Murano SUV or something similar – first a robbery attempt at 63rd/Alki, second a carjacking (or attempt) on Admiral Way, then a robbery on Beach Drive. No other details yet except that police are pursuing what might be the suspects’ vehicle in the Alki area right now. Updates to come.

10:07 PM: The plates on the vehicle have checked to a Hyundai Santa Fe registered in South King County. The pursuit – reported at up to 90 mph – is moving up to the West Seattle Bridge.

10:10 PM: Now they’ve moved on to southbound I-5. While on the bridge they deployed “stop sticks” and are reporting that tire(s) on the suspects’ car have deflated and are shredding.

10:13 PM: They’re off the freeway and the suspects have bailed out of the car, with a foot pursuit ensuing. At least one person is in custody.

10:16 PM: They’re now reporting two in custody, one still on the run in a rail yard, described as “unknown male, black hoodie, jeans, late teens/early 20s.” They’re near the north end of Boeing Field [map].

10:38 PM: And officers have just told dispatch they’ve taken the third suspect into custody.

10:54 PM: Since this all initially happened so fast, police are now sorting out the original incidents. They’ve said it started with a robbery attempt in the 2800 block of Alki near Cactus, then the carjacking attempt near 59th/Admiral, then the robbery (or attempt) in the 5700 block of Beach Drive. They’re also trying to catch up with the victims (so if by any chance that’s you, you might consider calling 911).

11:43 PM: Two commenters note that the Beach Drive incident happened near the Menashe Family Christmas lights display. Meantime, one suspect has been described over the air as 14 years old.

TUESDAY MIDDAY UPDATE: Here’s how SPD summarized it, in response to our inquiry, including confirmation that all three suspects were booked into juvenile detention:

Police received reports of carjackings in the 2800 block of Alki Avenue Southwest, in the 3800 block of 59th Avenue Southwest, and in the 5700 block of Beach Drive Southwest around 10:00 p.m. yesterday. The victims were approached by the suspects to steal their vehicles. In all three incidents, the victims reported a firearm being involved.

SPD officers located the suspect vehicle and a pursuit ensued. Police deployed stop sticks which caused the suspect vehicle to come to a stop near the intersection of South Corgiat Drive and Ursula Place South. The suspects fled on foot and after a foot pursuit two of the three suspects were taken into custody. KCSO K9 responded to the scene and assisted with locating the third suspect. The suspect vehicle was an unreported stolen vehicle. The three male juvenile suspects were booked into the King County Child and Family Justice Center for robbery, eluding a police vehicle, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Commenters below include at least two of the victims.

ADDED 12:57 PM: The three suspects have hearings in about half an hour. We’ll update.

Two more stolen vehicles to report – both from the same apartment parking lot in Seaview, one already recovered. The report and photo are from Ryan:

Stolen – 2018 Subaru Legacy (Black)
License Plate: BGY4983, WA
Police report # 23-361064

Stolen between 5 pm (12/15/2023) & 3 pm (12/17/2023) from an apartment building parking lot in West Seattle

Also stolen from the same lot, same time frame: 2006 Chevy 3500 Van (White box/bubble truck) & Black Utility Trailer (which were recovered in South Park on 12/17/2023 using GPS tracking).

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN CLASSIC RED 4RUNNER: The photo and report are from Josh:

I’m hoping folks could keep a lookout for my red ‘86 4Runner that was found to be stolen this morning at 7 am. It was parked in the Seaview area, 4600 block between Raymond and Juneau. Last seen around 10 pm, believe it may’ve happened in early AM, perhaps around 4 am..

Lic # BAL5663
Has a celebrate diversity bumper sticker on back bumper; the bumper is also dented.
Back window has a Rogue Community College parking-pass sticker on it.
Driver’s-side back seat window has a Dutch Bros sticker in the form of fingers peace sign
Top of truck is sun-bleached to white.

Police report was made; please call 911 if seen. Thank you so much.

CAR BREAK-IN OUTSIDE CHURCH: This report is from Liz:

I was parked in front of Fauntleroy Church and the main street (California) Sunday afternoon at 3:35-5:45 attending their Holiday Concert. I came out and got into my car and noticed the glove box open and stuff thrown about. And then I noticed the right rear passenger window had been shattered all over the back seat. Lucky I had nothing of value in the car. Now just the inconvenience of having it repaired.

One West Seattle Crime Watch reader report today, from Eric:

Went out to the car this afternoon to do some Christmas things around West Seattle, and discovered that the driver’s side of my old Subie had been vandalized. There was nothing in the car except a small dog bed, which was still in the car when I discovered the damage. Police report has been filed and there are plenty cameras around here, so maybe something will turn up. This probably happened in the early hours of this morning, Dec. 16th.

Eric says this happened “just south of Jefferson Square on 41st Ave SW, close to the Hudson Steps” and that a neighbor reported a similar incident recently.

Back on December 4th, we reported on the case against a West Seattle 16-year-old charged in five October crimes including two West Seattle carjackings and one robbery. Thursday was the date set for a review of whether he’d continue to be held in juvenile detention while awaiting trial, so we checked the online files, and found out another robbery charge was filed against him three days after our previous report. This one is for an armed robbery at a 7-11 in Kent in early November. We’ve also learned that another teenage suspect has been charged in related King County cases, though not – so far – in any West Seattle cases. First, the status of the West Seattle 16-year-old: He continues to be held in juvenile detention, with his status to be considered again next week – on Thursday, December 21st – when he is arraigned on the new charge filed against him. It’s one count of first-degree robbery with display of a deadly weapon. The charging documents say that, as in the other cases, the suspect was linked to this one through cell-phone records and security-camera images showing a distinctive sweatshirt.

They also reveal a little more information about his arrest near his home at 12th/Roxbury, saying he was carrying a backpack that held a loaded handgun, camo face mask, and black gloves, and that a search of his home subsequently yielded some of the apparel matching what security-camera images showed. As for the other suspect, we looked into his files too – he’s a 17-year-old Kent resident, charged with three counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of attempted first-degree robbery, all related to incidents in Kent and elsewhere in South King County. He was arrested at his home November 13th and has been in juvenile detention since then; his next hearing is in mid-January. No mention of other arrests, but we’ll keep watching court files.

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN SILVERADO: The photo and report are from Sandra:

My Chevrolet Silverado 2005 truck was stolen from my street last night at 5:30 am.

It was parked beside my house. 1 block from tennis court off Fauntleroy close to 76 gas station at Lincoln Park.

As shown in the photo, C52778N is the plate. We’ll add the police report # when we get it.

MAILBOX BREAK-IN: Reported by Stefan, in the 4300 block of SW Trenton:

Just a heads-up that I went out this morning to find our locked mailbox pried open, along with some others down our street. Must have happened last night or early this morning. Some mail/packages were definitely stolen. Submitted details to the Postal Inspection Service. Case ID: 58311372

Police are investigating a robbery near Delridge/Orchard. We haven’t heard the full circumstances but the victim is reported to have been robbed of their phone just before 10 pm by a person armed with a handgun, and the robber is reported to have gotten away in a black Hyundai Sonata with a taped-up back-passenger-side window. The getaway car appeared to be accompanied by a black Kia Forte. A partial description of the robber was broadcast – black ski mask, white sweater, black jeans, black shoes. No injuries reported. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-358293.

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN GREEN ACCORD: From Ann:

1997 Honda Accord, License 705HYN. Stolen between Tues night 12/12/23 at 6:35 pm (estimated time returned home from a dog walk) and 705am Wed 12/13/23 (when I went outside today)

Vehicle description: Dark green with light-gray seats. Significant damage to driver’s-side front wheel well, also scratches on truck and back bumper.

Vehicle contents: two large car seats in the back

A CLUB was on the vehicle. (This Club was purchased June 2019 after the Honda was stolen in early May and recovered 2 weeks later; at that time I was using an old Club)

SPD Incident #23-357538. If found – or seen, please call 911

PACKAGE THIEF: Another one recorded on video.

Ryan sent the clip and says this happened near California/Manning. Here’s a tracking number pending a final incident number: #T23027709.

That’s the burglar who threw a rock through the door of Cherry Consignment (4123 California SW) early this morning – and this is some of the damage he left behind:

It took the burglar two tries to shatter the door – all recorded on video. Proprietor Nyla Bittermann got the call from police just after 12:30 am. According to dispatch audio, a passerby saw the break-in and called 911; the burglar was gone before officers arrived. Nyla says he was “in and out quickly and only took the cash drawer, which was empty, except for a few coins.” Though the burglary was quick, the cleanup was not – she says, “We stayed until almost 3:30 cleaning up glass. It’s going to be a long day.” But “the show must go on,” she adds, here in the middle of the holiday shopping season, so her shop – which marked its 14th anniversary this year – IS open today. If you have any information on the burglary and/or the burglar, the SPD incident number is 23-356323. (Back in January, a would-be burglar tried, but failed, to get into the shop.)

9:33 PM: Police are temporarily blocking off 48th/Beach Drive/Lincoln Park Way while investigating confirmed gunfire. 911 callers thought it came from a vehicle (we haven’t yet heard a description). Responding officers told dispatch that so far they’ve found “several casings” on Lincoln Park Way. No report of injuries or damage.

ADDED: No additional information, but if you have info or video that would help police investigate, the case to refer to is 23-355206.

MONDAY UPDATE: A few more details from the report summary SPD released today – “Witnesses advised of a white SUV that fled the scene after a passenger fired multiple shots out the window. Officers located 5 spent shell casings in the intersection and a ‘Stop’ sign and ‘No Parking’ sign that had been struck by gunfire.”

2:02 AM: For the second time in nine days, the Admiral 7-11 has been robbed. This happened about an hour ago – just after 1 am. According to dispatch audio, four robbers took the store’s cash register and threw something at the clerk. They were described only as three men, one woman, all Black, in their 20s, wearing black masks and black jackets. They reportedly got away walking westbound, likely to a parked car. The cash register subsequently turned up barely a block away, in the 2300 block of 45th SW. If you have any information or vicinity video, the police incident # to refere to is 23-353422.

ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: A till – still holding $1s – was found a bit further north on 45th this morning, a texter tells us:

The texter says the neighbor who found it was reporting it to police.

Police investigating reported gunfire have found confirmation. An officer just told dispatch he found a shell casing near 26th/Brandon, No injuries or damage reported so far.

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

HIT-RUN: This happened to Raymond‘s car north of The Junction:

My car was involved in a hit-and-run while it was parked overnight in front of my house on SW Dakota St. across from Holy Rosary playground. I found a mirror cover for a white early 2000s Acura TL on my windshield. I imagine their car sustained right front end damage and is now missing half of the mirror on the passenger side.

Police report # is 23-349497.

‘RECYCLING’ PACKAGE THIEF: Merrilee‘s porch camera caught this:

We had a package stolen from our porch (Monday). The thief pulled up in front of our house, posed as a delivery person, wearing an orange vest, and had a box. When they got to our porch they swapped an empty box for our package. The empty box they left was for a person a couple blocks away. It seems that they are recycling the stolen boxes and leaving them at the next house. We were home and didn’t realize we had a delivery.

(Images from charging documents, suspect at West Seattle Target allegedly using stolen card)

Last spring, we reported on the arrest and indictment of Johny Mixaboua, in connection with nine federal felonies including two USPS mail-truck thefts in West Seattle in one day last January (3000 block of Beach Drive SW and 3600 block of 57th SW). Evidence used against Mixayboua included home security-camera video from the neighborhood where one of the vehicles was later found, plus store security video showing him using stolen cards (including at West Seattle Target). According to today’s announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, Mixayboua pleaded guilty to “theft of government property, mail theft, illegal transactions on access devices, and illegally possessing a firearm.” (He was already a convicted felon, and a gun was found when he was arrested, authorities say.) The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the charges to which he pleaded guilty carry potential penalties of up to 15 years in prison. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Jones is scheduled to sentence him on March 8th; Mixayboua remains in the SeaTac Federal Detention Center.