WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police investigating drive-by gunfire
(WSB photos)
11:28 AM: Police are at 29th SW and SW Henderson [map], investigating a report of multiple shots fired from a passing car. No injuries are reported but police have found at least one shell casing and are blocking the street in the area while they investigate. A preliminary description of the vehicle: Black BMW.
11:41 AM: Photos added. Police at the scene tell us they have now found four casings (that’s one of them in the photo above this line). This happened midblock, in the 8800 block of 29th. Still no additional descriptive information confirmed.
12:09 PM: At least one car was hit by a bullet (above).
3:05 PM: More information from the preliminary police summary: “Witnesses reported that a black or gray BMW was (northbound) in the 8800 block of 29 AV. SW chasing another vehicle, possibly a Volvo. A suspect was seen shooting a handgun from the passenger window at the vehicle it was chasing.” Police recovered “six small-caliber shell casings” in all.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Store broken into, again
11:27 AM: From Lori McConnell at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) in Admiral:
We wanted to let you know that we were broken into. We discovered it coming in to open the shop this morning. They didn’t trip our alarm – the broke a panel to the side of our door and crawled in that way.
They used a reader board from the Luna Apts to smash the window in. They got more merchandise than we are happy with. But nobody was here or hurt and we are focusing on that. Thought it might be good to get word out for other businesses. We are going to look at ways to beef up security in fear that things are getting worse in the hood.
This isn’t the first time West Seattle Runner has been hit by burglar(s) – our archives show at least two other break-ins, in 2019 and (at their original location south of Admiral) in 2013.
1:50 PM: WSR’s Tim McConnell just emailed with this update: “SPD just called to say they found a lot of our items in a tent camp in Lake City. They are collecting and cataloging it and will return it to us shortly. That’s all I know right now, I’m just happy to get some stuff back. We would like to say we appreciate their hard work in helping us limit our losses.”
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: House shot at; guns seized; hit-run clues sought
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
HOUSE SHOT AT: Police investigated a reported drive-by shooting in the 5600 block of 23rd SW. A resident said someone shot at the house and then drove away. No one hit/hurt.
GGUNS SEIZED: Police included these photos with a report of officers seizing the two guns when arresting a man:
This happened around quarter past 5 this evening near Delridge and Findlay. The preliminary police summary says four people were arguing “over a past assault.” A woman, “in an effort to defend her son, began bragging about owning a firearm.” A man said he owned one too. She expressed doubt. He went to his car and brought out one of the guns, “causing the victim to feel intimidated.” She called 911. They searched his vehicle and “recovered two semi-automatic handguns and their respective magazines loaded with ammunition.” The 31-year-old suspect was booked into King County Jail for investigation of unlawful use of a weapon.
HIT-RUN: From Rose:
My car was parked outside Luna apartments, 2745 California Ave near PCC, around 2:30 pm today and someone smashed the hood of my car – there was blue and white paint on the hood. I was wondering … if anyone saw anything.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Truck stolen, again (update – found); assault arrest
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
TWICE-STOLEN TRUCK: From Andrea:
Last night my truck was stolen for the 2nd time in 2 months from in front of my house on 45th SW. It was locked and had a club in it. License number B30800H. Red F250 HD with a matching canopy and a black construction rack. Attached is a picture. (When stolen) ot did not have the Kayaks or the bike rack on it.
Call 911 if you see it. (WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: A commenter spotted it and called it in; we have confirmation from Andrea that they got it back.)
ASSAULT ARREST: A reader asked about the sizable police response to an encampment area near 1st Avenue S./S. Cloverdale near the southeast edge of West Seattle. The preliminary SPD summary says a woman was arrested for assaulting a man who lived there. She was there to visit another man, described in the report as her boyfriend, but instead barged into the structure where the victim was sleeping. Police say she woke him up, hit him, and demanded he leave, then tried to stab him; he suffered a finger injury while fending off the attack. Police responded and told her to come out and surrender; she did, and was booked into King County Jail.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Double damage in Westcrest Park car break-in
The report and photos are rom Amy:
Our car was the unfortunate target in the high-car-prowl area at Westcrest Park today. We were parked in the playground lot between 1:15-2:15 pm.
The thieves broke out two windows (passenger side and left rear), ripped out the rear privacy screen, and took a cell phone. Everything else was left intact. We were able to track the time of the break-in as well as their route due to the GPS locator on the phone, and tracked the phone to the last known location, just a few blocks away at SW Barton between 16th and 17th Aves SW though were not able to recover it.
Reporting to help others be aware… it was a cool and rainy afternoon, lot was not busy at all, but no observed obvious car sitters when we pulled in.
A police report has been filed.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen contractor’s van to watch for (update: found)
10:54 AM: The photo and report are from Alexis:
My husband’s van was stolen from in front of our house sometime between 8:00 pm last night and 8:00 am this morning. It was locked and parked in the street. We live in the Genesee Hill neighborhood (in the 4000 block of) 51st Ave SW. It is a white 2003 Ford Econovan 250. It has my husband’s logo on both sides and the back of the van – “Toma Construction LLC.” It contained many tools.
We have notified the police. This happened to us about 6 years ago in a different neighborhood, and neighbors found it dumped and emptied out nearby. If anyone has seen it, please contact us at alexislewinger@gmail.com, at 602-326-7262, or at 206-697-5087.
But first call 911.
2:43 PM: Alexis says they recovered the van – someone spotted it at 40th/Edmunds and called police.
UPDATE: Man stabbed in Westwood
2:45 AM: A sizable Seattle Fire and Police response is headed to the 2200 block of SW Barton for what’s reported as a person “assaulted with a weapon.” Updates to come.
2:49 AM: Officers at the scene – a building lobby – have told dispatch that the victim says he was stabbed at a nearby bus stop. He is reported to be wounded in an arm and leg.
2:54 AM: The victim will be taken to the hospital by SFD medics. No word so far of any arrest(s).
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: About the big police response near EC Hughes Playground
A few people asked us about a mid-afternoon incident that brought a big police response to the EG Hughes Playground area (28th/Holden and vicinity). One neighbor who saw the end of it said police were chasing a man through the playfield area and then across two yards until he was tackled and arrested near 29th/Kenyon. Medics were called for the suspect, who, the witness says, complained after being cuffed that he was having trouble breathing. We didn’t catch word of this until it was long over; we eventually made contact with Southwest Precinct Lt. Dorothy Kim, who said the man was arrested for domestic-violence assault: “When the officers attempted contact with the suspect, he took off running, which resulted in a foot pursuit.” She says he was booked into the King County Jail.
UPDATE: Early-morning fire in Fauntleroy ‘intentionally set’
4:05 AM: Midsize fire response this past hour to Fauntleroy/Henderson, near the ferry terminal. We just caught up with the crews still on scene and they told us it was a carport fire, handled fairly quickly, no injuries.
11:08 AM: Though no investigator had been dispatched at the time of the fire, we noticed on the log that one was sent a few hours later. SFD says their investigation determined the fire was “intentionally set,” with damage totaling about $1,000.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 4-figure shoplifting arrest (updated)
ORIGINAL THURSDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police arrested a suspected shoplifter tonight after a four-figure theft from Ulta Beauty in Westwood Village. Their preliminary summary says officers responded to a report of “multiple fragrances” stolen from the store. They found the suspect on foot nearby and recovered $3,094 worth of stolen items. The suspect was booked into jail; the items were returned to the store.
ADDED NOON FRIDAY: More details from the full-length police report – the suspect is a 31-year-old man. Police found him after checking the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail in the Roxhill Park area south of Westwood Village; the report says the trail “is commonly used by shoplift suspects as it allows significant cover and provides multiple access/exit points.” They found him with a backpack that looked “overstuffed”; a witness had told them he was in the store wearing a backpack and “carrying a large laundry bin” into which 34 bottles of fragrance products had been placed. The witness said he was then seen in the parking lot near trash bins, removing tags from the stolen products, and transferring them from the laundry bin. Police found the 34 bottles in the backpack. According to online records, the suspect has a lengthy criminal history going back more than a decade and is currently awaiting trial on charges from two building burglaries downtown early this year. The documents from that case say his record includes at least 55 failure-to-appear warrants from past cases.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Catalytic-converter theft, interrupted
That’s the jack left behind by two would-be thieves who tried to steal the catalytic converter from Andrew‘s pickup truck at 45th SW and SW Stevens at 4:45 am today. Andrew says he chased them off; he did not get a good look at the second person but “the one doing the cutting” was a man in his late 20s to early 30s, white, wearing a red hoodie” and, Andrew says, tried to hit him with his Sawzall before fleeing. He is specifically wondering if anyone might have gotten security video of the two and/or their car, which “was parked a block south on 45th Street and appeared to be a black or dark colored F-150. The police asked that if anyone had any footage of the thieves walking back to their car to add it to the police report. He would be holding a Milwaukee red Sawzall and walking southbound on 45th Street around 4:50 AM.” The SPD incident number is 21-136648.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Hit-run truck sought
That’s some of the damage done to a car parked in (corrected) Belvidere this morning by the driver of a hit-run truck. The car’s owner says a neighbor saw it happen on 39th SW just after 10 this morning; the vehicle was described as a “big box truck” labeled Morro Bay Cabinets. That’s a California firm that subsequently told the damaged car’s owner they no longer own the truck. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 2021-135807.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 cases of multiple car prowls
In West Seattle Crime Watch – two parking lots hit by multiple car prowls:
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: This is from a case bulletin circulated by Southwest Precinct police:
On 5/20/2021, the above-pictured suspects broke out the passenger window of the victim’s parked vehicle at West Seattle HS (3000 California Ave SW). The suspects took the victim’s wallet, which contained the victim’s driver’s license, cards, and a check for $20k. The suspects were caught on cell phone camera prowling multiple vehicles in the parking lot. Upon realizing that they were being filmed, they fled the parking lot in suspect vehicles 1 and 2. There appeared to be a third suspect in the driver’s seat of suspect vehicle 2.
If you are aware of any other incidents involving these suspects or vehicles, or are able to identify either suspect, please email lauren.laumbattus@seattle.gov
The second vehicle, not shown, was a black 2008 Pontiac G8, plate starting with BLU.
WESTHAVEN APARTMENTS: The photo is from PP:
That’s one of three cars they reported Friday were hit by car prowlers in the complex (2201 SW Holden).
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 cars to look for; SWAT standoff followup
Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – first, two cars to watch for:
30TH SW: From Austin:
Please keep an eye out.
My mom’s green 4-door Honda Accord was stolen from 8800 block of 30th AVE SW Wednesday afternoon between 3-6 pm.
Forest green Honda Accord LX 1997 LIC# 705-HYN
Any information or if you see it, call 911.
SPD incident # is 2021-129716.
45TH/ADMIRAL: From Halina:
We need help locating our 2017 White Volkswagen Alltrack (Station Wagon) plate #BGC6085 (has a Seattle University Alumni plate holder).
We parked across the street from our house (on 45th Ave SW) last night at 5:20 pm between Admiral Way and Lander Street. Around 4 pm this afternoon we noticed our car was missing… There is construction on our street but we were parked well outside of the no parking zone. We called over 10 towing companies and the impound contact numbers listed on the street signs but it has not been impounded. We also connected with the site contacts for the two construction sites on 45th ave – both indicated they did not have any vehicles towed.
We really appreciate any information you may have to share, and your help keeping an eye out for our car – thank you!!
Email: halinamoran@gmail.com
SPD incident # is 2021-130545.
SWAT STANDOFF FOLLOWUP: Charges are now filed against the man arrested early Monday after an hours-long standoff at a house across from Lincoln Park. 39-year-old Kevin H. Harris is charged with four felonies – unlawful imprisonment, 4th-degree assault, harassment, and 3rd-degree malicious mischief, all with the extra label “domestic violence.” The charging documents alleging that Harris threatened his father and kept him from leaving the house and calling for help includes a note that prosecutors thought the initial $7,500 bail was too low:
Bail Request: The State regrets the decision of the Honorable District Court Judge Lisa Paglisotti on the Investigation Calendar to set bail in the amount of $7,500. The State had requested $25,000 based on the vulnerability of the defendant’s elderly and understandably frightened parents. His father is particularly vulnerable due to physical disability. After the offenses in this case, the defendant refused to come out for police for 6 hours. Under these circumstances, the current bail appears disproportionately low compared to the substantial likelihood that the defendant will commit a future act of violence against his parents, and that he will interfere with the administration of justice.
The jail register shows Harris is still there, and that his bail remains set at $7,500.
CRIME WATCH: Park car break-ins; catalytic-converter theft on video; prevention advice
Two reader reports to start:
WESTCREST PARK CAR BREAK-INS: The photo is from a reader who happened onto at least four cars with broken windows at Westcrest Park this afternoon. No word what if anything was taken.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT ON VIDEO: Ed in South Park sent the link to video he uploaded after a theft on S. Henderson a week ago:
This happened May 18th on South Henderson Street. Police report number: 2021-908911.
PREVENTION ADVICE – GARAGE BREAK-INS: We have been reporting on an increasing number of garage break-ins. Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner sends this bulletin with prevention advice:
If you cannot read it above, see it here.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Supermarket robbed; tires/wheels stolen; bicycle taken
Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:
GROCERY-STORE ROBBERY: According to a preliminary police summary, the Junction QFC was robbed just before 4 pm. Police say someone robbed a checker by implying he had a gun, then fled on foot. No description or other details available.
TIRES/WHEELS STOLEN: This happened to Tyler‘s pickup truck overnight in Seaview:
Tyler says the pickup was parked on SW Findlay west of California and adds, “I had locking wheel nuts on every wheel and they were still able to get away with them.” Here is what they looked like:
Police report # is 2021-908820.
BICYCLE TAKEN: Our inbox has had an uptick in bicycle reports these past few days – either stolen-and-missing or dumped-and-likely-stolen (scroll through this archive to see them). This is in the former category, from Renee:
Our son’s blue 24″ wheel REI Co-Op bike was taken from our garage some time in the past 3-5 days, while our garage was left open. We noticed it missing on Sunday 5/23. There is no identification on the bike, and it’s not registered on the Bike Index (now I know!). Ok to email myred5@yahoo.com with info.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 bicycles – one stolen, one found
Two reader reports about bicycles:
STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Lorie:
My middle schooler’s new Kona Blast mountain bike was stolen from Target (Sunday) around 4:45 – left inside the double entry doors with friends’ bikes for safekeeping while shopping. It is brown with orange writing, pink grips – large frame. Contact Mike at gatobay2018@aol.com. Police report has been filed.
FOUND BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Conrad:
I walked up and down the staircase that goes between the upper part of Pigeon Point and the bike trail under the bridge several times this weekend and noticed this bike. I don’t see it on the Bike Index and hope I can help it be found by its owner.
Email us if it might be yours and we’ll connect you.
UPDATE: Suspect in custody after police standoff at house across from Lincoln Park
(Reader photo via Twitter)
1:37 AM: Thanks for the tips. Police including SWAT officers are in a standoff at a house in the 7800 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, across from Lincoln Park, an apparent warrant situation, but the man they’re seeking isn’t coming out, so they’ve been using a bullhorn to try to convince him. No other details so far.
1:57 AM: Police may be shutting down a section of Fauntleroy until this is resolved. The warrant is for an alleged domestic-violence incident.
2:19 AM: Not over yet. If you are in the area and heard explosion-type sounds, those were “flashbangs” (meant to disorient but not injure).
2:53 AM: Fauntleroy is blocked, a neighbor confirms. Meantime, more flashbangs.
3:23 AM: Officers radioed that they’ve taken the suspect into custody. (The victim was already safely out of the house.)
3:33 AM: Fauntleroy Way is reopening.
9:37 AM: The suspect, who is 39, is in the King County Jail. The initial police summary says the victim is his 74-year-old father; he is accused of threatening to assault the victim while preventing him, police say, “from leaving the residence or calling 911.” The summary says this all started just before 9 pm last night.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car prowler; 2 dumped bicycles; more
Three Crime Watch notes:
CAR PROWLER: From a Sylvan Heights resident:
This man was seen in the Sylvan Heights neighborhood at 3:30 am. By the time the police had arrived he was gone. He was attempting to get into this car for at least 15 minutes.
DUMPED BICYCLES: From the dumped-and-likely-stolen file:
Found these two bikes dumped by the bus stop at Trenton and 16th today:
They’ve checked Bike Index – neither is registered. They’ll be checking with police too, but in the meantime, if you recognize either let us know and we’ll connect you.
SUSPECTED GUNFIRE INVESTIGATED: We don’t always receive police reports on suspected gunfire that goes unconfirmed, but we did on this one that happened just after 2 am today, so in case you heard it too: “Multiple callers reported hearing gunshots in the 4500 block of Beach Drive SW. Officers located two unidentified witnesses who reported hearing shots being fired and vehicles speeding away. No victims, shell casings, or evidence were located.”
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Building break-in; ‘pretty convincing’ phone scam; dumped Novara bicycle
Three reader reports:
BUILDING BREAK-IN: From Laura:
At about 8:30 (Thursday) morning, a person gained access to our condo building near California and Findlay and managed to break into some storage lockers.
We will add the police-report number when we get it.
PHONE SCAM: The utility-shutoff scam callers are still at it, and Emily emailed this warning:
I live near the Junction and just received a scam call (a 206 number) from someone claiming they were from Seattle City Light and that my account is past due (it isn’t) and they were giving me a courtesy call because they were about to disconnect my electricity. They then gave me an 800 number to call to resolve my balance and prevent disconnection.
I didn’t call the 800 number, I instead called Seattle City Light to verify my account was ok and they told me that there was a scam happening right now and that Seattle PD was investigating. Apparently a lot of people have been victims and Seattle City Light can’t really do much to help them. Just wanted to share in case they’re calling other West Seattle neighbors – the guy was pretty convincing!
City Light’s website notes: “City Light will never demand payment over the phone. If you receive a call from someone demanding payment and threatening to shut off your power, hang up immediately and call 206-684-3000 to confirm your account status. You can report attempted scams to City Light using our online form.”
P.S. Same goes for other utilities – if you get a call claiming shutoff is imminent, hang up and call the utility to check your status.
DUMPED BICYCLE: The photo and report are from CJ:
I found this bike stashed in my backyard this morning at 42nd Ave SW and Heights. Looks like a beat-up Novara brand that’s been spray painted silver.
Yours? Let us know and we’ll connect you.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Help solve a building-garage burglary
Building-garage burglaries have been on the rise. These security-camera images are being circulated by Southwest Precinct police in hopes of identifying the person caught on camera during one in The Junction earlier this month:
On 5/4/21, the above-pictured male entered the secure parking garage at 4752 41st Av SW. He went through the garage and into the mailroom, where he opened several packages. He then broke into a utility room and stole a trombone and bike.
If you can identify this suspect, please email lauren.laumbattus@seattle.gov
Refer to incident number 21-110446.
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