Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

ANOTHER COLLISION LEADS TO ARREST: Less than an hour before last night’s deadly West Seattle Bridge crash, SPD and SFD were dispatched to an unrelated crash on West Marginal Way SW. Today, SPD says that crash resulted in an arrest for investigation of DUI and a firearms violation. Their summary says it happened in the 4500 block of West Marginal [map] around 11:30 pm, and: “The first arriving officer found a heavily damaged pickup truck which struck and bounced off a utility pole, then came to rest on nearby railroad tracks.” The driver, a 23-year-old man, was found nearby. Police say he told them he had fallen asleep whiled driving, and denied having consumed alcohol – but they spotted an empty beer can in the truck, and noticed “signs of impairment.” So they did a field sobriety test, and after taking him into custody based on those results, they found “a loaded and concealed full-size handgun” in his pants pocket (SPD photo). He didn’t have a concealed-carry permit. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation of possible injuries.

SHOPLIFTING TURNS VIOLENT: Just got a reader tip on this and have only preliminary details – if you saw police at Jefferson Square around 1 pm, they were investigating a case of shoplifting turned violence. According to the tip, three people “tried to leave the [Bartell Drugs] store with a basket filled with items.” They are reported to have assaulted and knocked down someone who tried to stop them. We’ll add whatever more we find out. (added) The description of the main assailant was, according to exchanges between dispatch and officers: Black, female, wearing a black top, gold chain, black and white shots.” She is reported to have punched a woman and pulled her hair; the victim declined medical attention. The attacker was last seen “turning the corner into The Junction.”

2:50 PM: Just before 11 am this morning, police say, an attempted carjacking happened in the 3800 block of 36th SW. The initial dispatch was that someone “pepper-sprayed an employee and attempted to steal their car”; that’s a residential area so we’re not clear what “employee” referred to, possibly a work crew in the area. The would-be carjacker left without the car, walking westbound on Charlestown. The description wasn’t in the report summary; we’re following up to try to get it. SFD was called to treat the person who had been pepper-sprayed.

3:12 PM: SPD says the description in the report is: “White male, 5’10, slim build, gray hoodie, gray pants.”

The report and video are from John – the thief comes into view 20 seconds in:

Apartment in 7100 block of California Ave SW, Morgan Junction. Video shows thieves cased all the cars and returned later in car for break in to steal a pair of red colore3d audiophile stereo speakers. A police report has been attempted.

John says this happened aroun 4 am.

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

CHILD-PORNOGRAPHY INVESTIGATION: Thursday morning, a reader texted us about what appeared to be a multi-agency warrant raid at a house in Upper Alki. No information was available about it until this SPD post today, and tonight we’ve found out more via court documents. In the initial post, police said, “Detectives with Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit took (the 37-year-old suspect) into custody Thursday morning following a lengthy investigation related to Child Sexual Abuse Material.” They say he confessed “to uploading CSAM material and communicating with others about chatting online with minors” and was booked into the King County Jail. He is not yet charged but had a hearing this afternoon, at which his bail was set at $50,000; he has since posted bond and been released, according to the jail register. Probable-cause documents say the investigation started last May, when an Internet Service Provider reported “that a user had uploaded one or more files containing depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct to their account.” Detectives subsequently identified the suspect via internet and phone records. According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, conditions of the suspect’s release include “no contact with minors without exception, and to not access the Internet without monitoring software.”

TARGET STANDOFF VERDICT: Last week we reported that the trial had begun for 32-year-old Timothy A. Clemans, charged with attempted first-degree kidnapping for trying to take hostages at knifepoint in the Westwood Village Target store last year. An hours-long standoff ensued. The trial, in which Clemans was representing himself, was expected to last up to two weeks, but our check of online court files tonight reveals it lasted just one week. According to court documents, Clemans was found guilty as charged, with the added finding that he was armed with a deadly weapon. He is scheduled for sentencing before King County Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson on April 7th.

ARSON ARRAIGNMENT POSTPONED AGAIN: The man charged with arson in the two-alarm 17th/Barton apartment fire, 35-year-old Ermiyas N. Woldearegay, has yet to be arraigned, though four weeks have passed since charges were filed. Court documents show his first date was postponed because he was “medically unavailable”; the second and third dates, he refused to come to court. The most recent document indicated Woldearegay’s defense lawyer was hoping to meet with him to see if the issue of competency “needs to be raised.” However, the document also said Woldearegay had been refusing jail visits.

Tonight at the Alki Community Council meeting, Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Dorothy Kim said auto theft is the one category of crime that’s continuing to rise, here and citywide. And tonight we have two vehicle-theft reports to start a late-night West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:

STOLEN BUSINESS VAN: Even if you haven’t tried Cocina MX 32‘s mobile Mexican food, you might have seen them around town. Their catering/truck business is based in White Center and often in West Seattle. Tonight around 6:30 pm their van – shown above – was stolen. We don’t have the location or plate/report numbers yet but notify police if you find it.

STOLEN SPORTAGE: Kirsten emailed to report, “We had our Kia Sportage 2020 vehicle stolen from a business parking lot in the Delridge area today.” Photos above; plate is BRL6131; SPD incident # is 23-72440.

CAR BREAK-INS: From Rachel:

Last night between 10:00-11:00 our car and several others had broken windows in the LA Fitness parking garage. We filed a police report, and nothing was taken (’cause we didn’t have valuables in the car), but the car itself is our valuables. I just want people to be aware.

ASSAULT ARREST: If you saw police making an arrest in/near Jefferson Square around 12:30 pm, it might have been the case detailed in this SPD Blotter post tonight. It started with a December assault in Queen Anne; they identified a suspect and got an arrest warrant in January, and found the suspect in West Seattle today. They say the 36-year-old man was driving a stolen car in which officers found a gun he wasn’t legally allowed to possess.

The report and photo are from Eli:

My beloved Scott Sub 20 was stolen from inside the Admiral Safeway between 11:30 and 11:45. It was parked by the elevators, right next to the electric carts by the California entrance. It has a green Ortlieb bag and a Bafang conversion motor. Any help in retrieving it would be appreciated. SPD incident # 23-71163.

(WSB photo – law-enforcement vehicles on standby during SW Holly search, March 7th)

One week after a police search in the 3100 block of SW Holly, we finally know what it was about. We reported March 7th on the search, described at the scene only as a warrant operation; police would not comment further the next day, saying only that it was related to an “open SPD case.” Then today we found the answer, reading through court documents related to a deadly shooting in Southeast Seattle. The residence that was searched on SW Holly is the home of the mother of the 27-year-old woman just charged with murder in that case, Jamila A. Abdi. The charges allege that she shot and killed a longtime friend, 29-year-old Fariya Yusuf, on March 4th in the 7100 block of 42nd Ave. S. The shooting was caught on security video and the charging documents say the search of Abdi’s mother’s home in West Seattle yielded potential evidence including pink gloves matching those seen on the shooter in video of the killing. Abdi also allegedly was driving her mother’s car the night of the shooting. The suspect was arrested on March 10th, three days after the search, and is charged with one count of first-degree murder.

This time, a black Hyundai Tucson. Janay says it was stolen Monday afternoon from 24th SW/SW 98th. License # BDR5034. The theft location is just south of the city boundary, so it’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case – if you see it and call it in, refer to incident # C23008410.

Three more reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

ANOTHER BUSINESS BURGLARY: Dani at Meeples Games (3727 California SW) sends word that they too were burglarized early Sunday:

Early Sunday (3/12) around 7:20 am, Meeples Games was broken into. We hate that this has happened again, and we are asking the community for help! If you recognize the person in this photo, please contact us (206.535.7896).

If you are looking for a way to support Meeples Games during this time, please stop in and hang out at our cafe, play some games, join one of our events, or shop for a new board game.

The SPD incident # is 23-68017.

STOLEN BLACK SUBURBAN: Sandy‘s vehicle was stolen this morning:

Please be on the watch out for our older-model black GMC Suburban, with a white Rocket Box on top. It was stolen from
SW Findlay, 1/2 a block east of 35th Ave SW, just this morning, Monday 3/13, between 9 and 10:30 am. SPD incident # 23-69053.

POSSIBLY ABANDONED STOLEN ELANTRA: Linda sent the photo and report:

Spotted this car on my way to work this morning. Appears to be stolen and abandoned. Black Hyundai, flat tire, broken window and license applying attempted to be removed. It’s sitting on Fauntleroy Place and Charlestown.

It’s been reported, but Linda sent the report to us too in case its owner sees this. (UPDATE: As suggested by commenters, that was indeed Lauren‘s stolen car.)

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN PICKUP: From Dennis:

My truck was stolen from in front of my house last night between 10:00 pm and 6:00 this morning—3600 block of SW Othello St. Maroon over silver Ford F-250 Pickup with an extended cab. License # C42605D. An important note is that it is a DIESEL engine. It is very loud!

5:34 PM: Dennis sent this update:

My truck was recovered in the 7700 Block of 34 AVE SW. Punched out the ignition switch, content inside pilfered but nothing missing.

I would also like to thank the 911 call center which took the report. And the responding police officer who came to my house, within 1 hour after reporting the theft. The police officers who helped me recover my truck. Most of all I give a BIG THANKS to the lady who found it. With all the talk of “Defund the police” “Police don’t do anything” and “West Seattle is a bad place to live” I say BOLOGNA!

(back to original roundup) Meantime, two more reports from the past few days:

GUNFIRE INVESTIGATION: From the SPD report summaries made available this morning, word of confirmed gunfire early Friday. A report of suspected gunfire brought officers to 30th/Barton around 12:30 am Friday. Callers said the shots were fired from a vehicle. Officers found shell casings but no victims or property damage.

PACKAGE THEFT: Reader report from Stefan in Fauntleroy:

3/12/23 around 9:00 am on SW Director St., a porch pirate stole an Amazon package off our porch. It appeared they were following the delivery truck. They carried up an empty iPhone box and dropped it off while they picked up our delivery (a voltmeter/electrical tester device). I think this was to appear they were doing a delivery.

Our doorbell camera captured some images of the thief.

Green/gray hooded jacket with the lower half in dark blue, purple shirt, and yellow shoes with white soles. Zipped off in a mid-2000s dark-colored Nissan Altima with a small spoiler on the trunk.

Keep your eyes out & stay safe.

Car thieves continue targeting Hyundais. (If you own one, see the latest SW Precinct crime-prevention bulletin.) Just in, from Lauren:

My car was stolen at some point between 8:00 PM last night and 11:00 AM today from the alley behind 9215 35th Ave SW. Cross street is SW Barton.

2018 Hyundai Elantra – Black
License Plate: BGA1023

SPD incident # 23-064300.

MONDAY UPDATE: Found.

9:52 PM: Just got word of this vehicle theft, which happened about an hour ago: A 2004 tan GMC Sierra extended-cab pickup, taken between 8:45 and 9:15 pm in North Admiral. License B79890V. We’ll add the SPD incident # as soon as the victims get it from police.

10:05 PM: Adding a photo, and the incident # – 23-63797.

(WSB photo, January 2022)

More than a year after a man was arrested following a six-hour standoff at the Westwood Village Target store, his trial is beginning today. According to court documents, 32-year-old Timothy A. Clemans has chosen to defend himself in King County Superior Court, where he is on trial for one count of attempted first-degree kidnapping, with a deadly-weapon enhancement. Clemans is alleged to have gone into the store on January 21st, 2022, armed himself with a knife from the kitchen-merchandise section, and started telling people he was going to hold them hostage. He was finally subdued and arrested by SWAT team members and has been in jail ever since. As noted in our followup last year, Clemans is accused of having done this one week after getting out of jail on an assault case, and five days after calling 911 to say he was going to take hostages at a Target store; he allegedly made a similar call just before this incident, saying he would take hostages at a store unless he got the mental-health services he needed. Court documents say his trial, over which Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson is presiding, is expected to last about two weeks. 18 people are on the witness list, including 11 police officers.

Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN PICKUP: That’s Seth‘s F-250, stolen overnight from 26th/Nevada in North Delridge. It has California plates # 7T16389. Police report # is 23-60733.

DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BIKE: We’ve received multiple reports about this bicycle abandoned in High Point. This is from Alex:

On the Bataan / Graham stairs (between Bataan park and 26th) there is an all white, full suspension bike abandoned in the blackberries next to the stairs (as of 8:30-9 am 3/3). Didn’t see a name/brand on the bike but looks to be an adult bike in good shape. It’s about halfway down the stairs.

Four items in this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:

GUNFIRE? A couple was out walking their dogs near Highland Park Elementary last night when they saw someone in a car firing a gun out the window – at who or what, they couldn’t tell. They tell us the car was a red Honda. No injuries were reported. It’s not known if this was related to a report of suspected gunfire heard on Puget Ridge around 5 pm. We checked with police this morning, and while officers were dispatched to check after both reports, they did not find “evidence of a shooting” (casings, property damage, and/or injured people) in either case.

BURGLARIES: The West Seattle Junction Association reports two more business burglaries and one burglary attempt this week in the area, just days after break-ins were among the topics at the West Seattle Chamber‘s public-safety panel discussion. We’re requesting reports.

Two court followups:

TEEN DRIVER IN DELRIDGE CRASH: Juvenile Court works differently from adult court; the 15-year-old arrested after a stolen-car crash in Delridge last week pleaded guilty Tuesday, one day after he was charged with attempting to elude and reckless endangerment. We’ve obtained the court documents since our first brief mention of the charges. They confirm police were pursuing the stolen Toyota Corolla – reported taken in a carjacking outside West Seattle the previous day – before it crashed down a rock wall alongside an apartment building. This photo is in the charging papers:

Investigators wrote that the defendant was trapped in the driver’s seat by the seatbelt; officers gave him scissors and he cut himself loose We are not publishing the defendant’s name, as he is charged as a juvenile. A judge ordered him to remain in detention at the Youth Services Center.

LA FITNESS SUSPECTS ARRAIGNED: The two 18-year-olds charged with harassment and machine-gun possession for last month’s LA Fitness incident have both pleaded not guilty. Javier Garcia remains out of jail on $5,000 bond; Peter M. Rodrigue remains in jail in lieu of $105,000 bail, most of that amount in connection with a previous robbery case.

And finally, theft-prevention advice for owners of cars that have been targeted lately:

HYUNDAI/KIA THEFT PREVENTION: Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner just sent out a bulletin for owners of the cars that have become targets lately thanks to information about vulnerabilities, spread via social media. See it here.

The report and photo are from Katherine:

My car was stolen from (the 3800 block of) Beach Drive SW and I’ve reported it to the police. It is a 2018 Hyundai Elantra – Color white – rear window smashed – stolen between 6:15 pm-8:17 pm Wednesday. Thinking it will most likely be dumped somewhere. License plate BRX-1834. Police report # 23-58043.

(WSB photo, August 24, 2020)

Two and a half years after the Delridge hit-run death of 34-year-old Derrick Lacomb, his accused killer has pleaded guilty to reduced charges. 40-year-old Steven J. Abrahamson was originally charged with second-degree murder for hitting and killing Lacomb in the 6500 block of 25th SW, near Longfellow Creek, on August 24, 2020. Prosecutors said the two knew each other and that Abrahamson hit Lacomb with his Crown Victoria after some kind of argument. Abrahamson’s car was found in Highland Park three days after Lacomb was killed; Abrahamson wasn’t arrested until November 2020, more than a month after he was charged, and has been in jail ever since. We’ve been checking on the case periodically and just discovered tonight that Abrahamson was in court last Thursday, pleading guilty to reduced charges of first-degree manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 9 1/2 years, which is the top of the “standard range,” when Abrahamson is sentenced by Superior Court Judge Nicole Gaines Phelps on March 31st.