Just in via SPD Blotter:

Seattle police arrested a domestic-violence suspect in Kent on Wednesday after his girlfriend was beaten and left in a wooded area of West Seattle last week.

Around 11:30 PM on March 24th, an injured woman walked up to a West Seattle home and asked for help.

The residents called 911, and police contacted the woman, who said she had been riding in a car with her boyfriend when he pulled over in a secluded wooded area. The man then reportedly pulled the woman out of the car and assaulted her, knocking her unconscious. The woman sustained significant facial injuries and had blood on her clothing following the attack.

The victim was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Detectives from the SPD Domestic Violence and Major Crimes Taskforce obtained a warrant for the 26-year-old man and were able to locate him in Kent where, on April 1st, the SWAT team took him into custody.

Over the last month, the Seattle Police Department has seen a 21-percent increase in reports of domestic violence. If you, or someone you know, has experienced violence in a relationship or at home, please call or text 911 to get help from Seattle police and the Victim Support Team.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon:

STOLEN WHITE SUBARU: Reported by Becca:

Sadly reaching out to report that my car was stolen from our driveway last night. We live in the Gatewood neighborhood on Orchard Street. It is a 2017 white Subaru Crosstrek, WA plate BCW8406. Only thing unique is a yellow paint mark on the driver’s side mirror and expired RPZ 29 decal on the windshield.

If you see it, call 911.

BREAK-IN: Police were called to the 9400 block of 35th SW on Monday afternoon after evidence of burglary was found at a vacant, newly built home. According to the report, someone broke in by breaking a window between 8 pm Sunday and 1 pm Monday.

SCAM ALERT: Multiple WSBers have reported that scam callers are busy these days, with scams old and new. Be careful, and remind vulnerable family members not to give out their financial info. Lots of scam-alert resources out there – here’s one worth spotlighting, also containing links for reporting price-gouging and for debunking rumors.

From Patricia:

My car was broken into early this morning around 4-5 am. Neighbor heard a noise, popping sound. Apparently some other cars and neighbors with also the same. I’m on 61st & Spokane. Frustrating and a hassle especially with COVID-19, filed police report online and fingers crossed to find an open repair shop! Stay safe out there, be kind to others.

Here’s how to file an online report, if you need to.

Two West Seattle Crime Watch items today:

BUSINESS BURGLARY: That boarded-up window at the gas station minimart north of Lincoln Park is because of an overnight burglary. The police report says cigarettes and lighters were taken.

MYSTERY MOWER, BUDDHA: Both dumped, likely stolen, abandoned by Riverview Playfield:

Thanks to Kay and Craig for the reports/photos.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

STOLEN CAR: From Kelsey near California/Juneau – her 1986 light blue 4-door Honda Accord was taken Friday morning. Awaiting plate; meantime, if you see a car like this obviously abandoned somewhere, call it in.

PACKAGE THEFT: This happened around 5:15 pm Friday near 26th/Trenton, says Josh, who sent this video link.

ILLEGAL DUMPING: As if a small business that’s had most of its operation closed by the virus crisis doesn’t have enough to worry about – Best of Hands Barrelhouse (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Nicholas sends word of this:

On Tuesday I noticed illegal dumping on our lot. It must have been there a day or so because animals had gotten into the bags already. I began to clean up the mess & sort the trash as there was all sorts of materials mixed in – dirty diapers, plastic bottles, compostables – when I noticed at least four used hypodermic needles.

Furthermore, the lot behind the brewery is not part of our lease. It belongs to Clearview. However, folks are letting their dogs s–t all over the lot. They are being terrible neighbors, and either leaving the feces there, or bagging it and leaving the bags there. I know the majority of West Seattle folks are better than this. Some people just don’t want to take responsibility, & have no empathy for small business owners.

We have no other choice but to add outside cameras to the premises as these aren’t the first or only instances of illegal dumping and bad behavior directed at the lot on 35th & Webster.

lllegal dumping is a misdemeanor.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon:

STOLEN CAR: From Will:

Earlier today I was leaving my apartment complex The Overlook At Westridge at 600 SW Kenyon st to go shopping for my parents when I realized someone had stolen my car from my apartments parking lot. I have contacted the police and was hoping to get any help I can spreading the word. I have attached a photo of the car; it is a black 1997 Subaru Legacy GT.

The license plate is BIU3459.

Call 911 if you see it.

VAPE STORE BURGLARY: Thanks to the texter who sent the photo and asked about the police response in the 9000 block of Delridge Way SW early today:

We followed up with SPD. The vape shop was broken into around 4 am. Witnesses saw four suspects, described only as wearing hoodies and backpacks, running away northbound on 21st SW. They dropped some items along the way and left a hammer inside the store, apparently after using it to break in. Officers searched the area but no one was found.

ABANDONED BICYCLES: The photo is from Neil in North Admiral, who says they were dumped in his yard overnight:

Yours? Let us know and we will connect you.

First we received this report from Ryan via email:

At 8 am this morning at the intersection of Roxbury and 16th Ave – a man was in the middle of the street sitting down with his hands in the air – his feet, hands, and mouth were duct taped – he was signaling – asking for help – he looked like he was a hostage or something snd was dumped on street. Another citizen called 911 and pulled over for him – very scary to see that – police were driving around everywhere on Roxbury.

We didn’t hear about this in realtime but shortly after seeing Ryan’s note, we heard a detailed alert via police radio. Police were seeking a car, stolen from South King County, whose trunk the duct-taped man reportedly had been in. (How he got out wasn’t mentioned.) It was described as a black 4-door 2012 Toyota Camry, plate BHL2715. If you see it, call 911.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch items:

SCAM CALLS: We’ve received two recent reports – one today for the City Light scam, claiming your power’s about to be shut off, even spoofing the phone number so it looks legit. City Light’s Scam Alert page reminds you:

Seattle City Light Employees will:
Never call, email, or make a home visit requesting an immediate payment.
Never call on the weekend
Never call to request credit card, banking, or financial information
Never email you to request credit card, banking, or financial information
Never request credit card banking or financial information during a home visit
Never shutoff service without providing written warning in advance

The other scam report involved a call that’ll claim you have a “federal criminal offense” and have to call a certain number to speak to a “federal agent.” None of this type of action would be handled by phone. You may already savvy to scam calls but someone you know might not be, so remind them that even in the current crisis, scammers are still hard at work.

STOLEN CIVIC: Car thieves remain busy too. Second report today (here’s the first) – this one’s from Kirk:

My car was stolen from my condo parking spot on California Ave. SW & Dawson. I discovered it missing today, March 14, but it could have been stolen as early as March 11. It’s a green 1994 Honda Civic Hatchback with the license number of ADY3889.

If you see it, call 911.

FOUND BICYCLES: These were seen in Fauntleroy:

They’ve been there more than a day, we’re told. Recognize one or both? Let us know and we’ll connect you with the finder.

Auto theft continues to run higher than usual in West Seattle, according to what Southwest Precinct operatisns commander Lt. Steve Strand told the Fauntleroy Community Association board tonight. (More on the meeting tomorrow.) Here’s a reader report we received tonight from NJ:

I’m on the hunt for my 1993 Subaru Impreza Wagon, teal blue, license plate AIN2495. It was stolen sometime between 9 pm March 9 and 6 am March 10, from the 4700 block of 48th Ave SW. It is likely parked/abandoned in West Seattle, as the transmission was in need of repair and probably wasn’t much fun to drive around. I am hoping someone will spot the car in their neighborhood. It has been reported to the police.

If you see it, call 911 ASAP. (And then let us know so we can get word to NJ!)

Jury selection is under way for the trial of 40-year-old Gabriel Putnam, the suspected would-be burglar shown on porch video last June trying a Beach Drive door handle while holding a large knife. After he failed to show for a court appearance; a warrant was issued, and he was arrested in October in Idaho and extradited back here. Putnam has been in the King County Jail ever since, in lieu of $25,000 bail; Once a jury is seated, testimony will begin in the courtroom of King County Superior Court Judge Mary Roberts. He is charged with attempted residential burglary and second-degree burglary. According to various trial-preparation documents in online files, the defense argues that Putnam carried the knife for protection and that the fact he was shown walking away after discovering the door locked (here’s the video) indicates he was not intending to burglarize the house. He was arrested on the property of another Beach Drive home further south; the defense says he was just trying to find somewhere to sleep. Pretrial motions granted by the judge included one to exclude any mention of WSB news coverage, which the defense called “inflammatory, unsubstantiated, and irrelevant.” His trial is expected to last about a week.

From James:

Black Nissan Pickup Truck with black canopy stolen last night between 10-6 on the 5900 block near California Ave., plate # B52477U.

Call 911 if you see it.