West Seattle, Washington
11 Tuesday
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.
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.
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.
From Mike:
Our Mazda 2016 CX-5 (metallic blue with silver roof rails) was stolen out of our backyard during the night on 5/28. The location is 30th and Trenton.
License #: BEN 8375
Police Report #: 21-132069
If you see it, call 911.
UPDATE: Found.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.”
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.
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.
Two businesses hit by crime early this morning:
ROBBERY ARREST: Another 7-11 holdup, this time the one on 35th SW. According to the preliminary police summary, three people entered the store, then one approached the clerk, went behind the counter, and drew a gun from their waistband. The three subsequently “fled the store without getting anything.” Police soon spotted the three suspects approaching “a vehicle parked awkwardly” near an area gas station, and when the officer “told them to stop, they fled in various directions.” Officers chased one on foot and took him into custody; a K-9 search for the others was unsuccessful. The suspect in custody is 18 years old; records indicate the warrant is from a charge filed last week in an Issaquah pharmacy robbery that happened in February.
BUSINESS BURGLARY: Thanks for the tips on this. Somebody broke into the Origins Cannabis (WSB sponsor) shop in The Junction early this morning. We haven’t been able to get the police report but we did call the shop to ask about it; they characterized it as more of a vandalism incident, saying whoever broke in was more intent on causing damage than stealing items. They cleaned up and are open for business.
Police say a shoplift-turned-robbery happened early this morning at the South Delridge 7-11. Their preliminary summary says two females were inside the store just before 7 am when one “grabbed a pack of aluminum foil and concealed it in her pocket.” The clerk confrontd her; she “threw a couple of punches at the employee. The punches missed the employee.” At that point, because of the use of force, the situation became a robbery. The two females left the store; police were called and searched the area but didn’t find them. No further description in the report; police were attempting to obtain surveillance video.
10:09 AM: The photos show the exterior and interior views of the damage West Bay Coffee and Smoothies had to deal with this morning after an early-morning burglary.
The drive-up/ride-up/walk-up stand is at 2255 Harbor Avenue SW. We’re following up to see if anything was taken that people could be on the lookout for.
12:14 PM: They’ve confirmed that the stand is open today – just had to start the day with a major cleanup.
Here’s a stolen electric bike to watch for. The photo and report are from Kimmy:
Last night, someone stole my Rad Power Bike out of our garage (somewhere between 8 pm – 5L30 am). It seems they were somehow able to get into one of our locked cars and take the garage door opener (?!).I have attached a picture of my bike, although it now has a rear-view mirror and basket over back tire that were added since I took the photo. We live in North Admiral, at Lander and 45th.
It’s been reported to police; we’ll add the report number when it’s available. (Added: It’s 2021-908044.)
Here’s a stolen pickup truck to watch for: Mike says his silver 2-door extended-cab 2002 Toyota Tacoma was stolen overnight from the 1800 block of SW Cloverdale: “No obvious signs of break in spotted, no broken glass, etc.” License plate #B26768V. If you see it, call 911.
12:11 AM: Police and fire are headed for 16th and Roxbury after a report of a shooting. One person is reported to be in the Walgreens parking lot with a gunshot wound. Updates to come.
12:16 AM: According to emergency radio, the initial report was that someone was firing a gun at passing vehicles.
1:07 AM: 1 person was taken to Harborview. No additional details yet about their condition or what happened, and no word of an arrest; police were focusing on the 16th entrance to the Walgreens lot.
1:56 AM: SFD says the victim is a 44-year-old man who was in stable condition when transported to Harborview Medical Center.
5:08 AM: Here’s the entire brief preliminary summary filed by police: “On 5/12/2021, at about 0006, there was a report of a shooting at 16th Ave SW/SW Roxbury St. Three victims got into an argument with the suspect. During the argument, the three victims ran across the street to the Walgreens parking lot while the suspect was shooting at them. The suspect fled the scene on foot. One of the victims was shot in the groin and taken to HMC by SFD.”
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
BICYCLES STOLEN: The screenshot above is from this security video sent by Zach after 2 bicycles were stolen from his home near Admiral/59th last Thursday:
He reports, “Thieves came into our garage (we left it open for a few hours) and they took both our bikes off the rack and loaded them into a truck and sped away. My bike is an REI City 1.1 hybrid in teal color and my wife’s is a Novara Fiona beach cruiser style in teal/white. A police report has been filed and the bikes have been reported stolen on BikeIndex.com.” The SPD report # is 21-110902.
SAFETY ALERT: A reader wants to alert neighbors about a suspicious driver following her as she walked in north Morgan Junction last night, pushing her bicycle at first: “A black sedan pulled up next to me slowly and was slowly driving right next to me keeping pace with me as I walked. I looked over and noticed the windows were pitch black. You couldn’t see into them at all. For the first second or two I didn’t think anything nefarious was happening and was expecting them to maybe roll down a window and ask for directions or something like that. But the car just kept slowly driving next to me and all of the sudden I felt like I might be in a bad situation so I walked faster and they followed and then I hopped on my bike and took off really fast.” The driver did not follow from that point. No further description of the car; she just wanted to get this out there in case it had happened to anyone else.
Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
BUILDING BREAK-IN TURNED ROBBERY: This happened early today in the 2600 block of 42nd SW. The preliminary police summary says the victim, observing from their apartment, saw someone “walking from the storage area with the victim’s tools. Victim went out and confronted the suspect, who was carrying the victim’s tools that had been stored in a secured storage area. The suspect fled on foot and the suspect gave chase. As the victim caught up, the suspect turned on the victim and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the victim. The victim disengaged and the suspect continued fleeing on foot. The suspect was last seen westbound on the 4200 block of SW Lander St.”
BUILDING BREAK-IN WITH ARREST: Police are investigating whether that incident might be linked to this one a bit later in which they made an arrest. Their preliminary summary says, “The manager of the apartment complex heard crashing coming from the laundry room. They went to investigate and found the door had been forced open and they observed the (suspect) in the room among overturned machines and coins on the floor. The (suspect) claimed they had permission to be there, but the manager knew otherwise. The (suspect) rushed by the manager, who called out for help. Other residents heard and came out to see the (suspect) fleeing. The group of residents grabbed the (suspect) and held them down until police arrived. They also found a gun on the (suspect). It turned out to be a realistic-looking pellet gun. The (suspect) was arrested for burglary.”
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN CASH DRAWER: Cameron found this atop a compost/yard-waste bin near Oregon/California – if you’re missing one, let us know:
HIT-RUN: From D, who took the photos outside Fauntleroy Church:
Erratic driver smashed into signs, lost a wheel, and continued up Brace Point. As we’re looking at the wreckage a bus driver stops long enough to say the car is just around the corner. We drove up to 35th but did not find it. How far can it get on 3 wheels?
Two reader reports and a followup tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch:
MAILBOX PROWLER: The video and report are from Justin in the Alki area:
Just wanted to share with the community that these is someone going around checking mailboxes in the middle of the night. This is the second time I’ve caught video of this person. The other time, he was on a BMX-style bike.
BUILDING BREAK-IN: The photo and report are from Jordan
I wanted to share a break-in incident we had here at the Broxton (5016 California Ave SW) to make the community aware. An intruder broke into our condo building on the evening of May 4th around 10 pm. They spent over 30 minutes inside the building, stealing at least 1 item and tampering with at least 1 vehicle in our parking garage. We would appreciate any/all feedback from the community on this person’s identity to add to our open police report.
We don’t have that report number yet but will add it here when we do.
BURGLARY SUSPECT CHARGED: Also on Tuesday night – as reported here Thursday – police arrested a 36-year-old man after a break-in at a Morgan Junction apartment building. Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed two second-degree burglary charges against the suspect, Justin Goolsby. The charges cover the break-in in our report – one that left mailboxes, doors, and cars damaged at a building in the 6500 block of California SW – and another one earlier that night, in the 6900 block, around 10 pm. At that building, court documents allege, Goolsby “damaged several doors, discharged a fire extinguisher, stole the complex’s garage door opener, and rendered two elevator doors inoperable due to damage.” He has no felony convictions but is awaiting trial on three charges from Avalon Way building burglaries one night last November; he remains in King County Jail with bail set at $5,000.
Two more West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Jake:
My wife’s bike was stolen from a shared garage in the 4700 block of 41st Ave SW around noon on May 4th. The thief slipped under the garage door behind a car that was exiting the building. The bike isn’t worth much money so it may have been dumped somewhere before leaving West Seattle. Please be on the lookout. Bike is posted to the Index and a Police report has been filed (#2021-110446)
FIRE-SETTING ARREST: A 51-year-old man is in jail tonight, bail set at $1,000, arrested for investigation of reckless burning. Police say that they responded to an area across from Westwood Village just after 8 pm last night, after a complaint that someone was “using lit newspaper to try to catch a wooden residential fence on fire.” The report adds, “The resident of the house pulled the lit newspaper out of the fence before the wood caught on fire.”
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