West Seattle, Washington
26 Tuesday
Yet another incident in which a catalytic converter was targeted – but this time, Steve reports, the would-be thief/thieves failed:
This morning a little after 5 am on the 3900 Block of SW Rose Street, my neighbors and I were awoken by my car alarm. The windows of my Prius were not smashed but my catalytic converter was cut and damaged. The culprits were presumably scared off by the alarm before they could take it.
A neighbor told me he saw an older powder-blue BMW next to my car (which was out of place) and which had two male occupants, one was possibly Caucasian or Asian. Another neighbor also saw this vehicle near mine with two men, although she couldn’t make out any specific attributes.
The SPD incident # is 2020-253114.
Four Crime Watch reports:
PARK ROBBERY: We have two reports that a man was attacked and robbed of his wallet and phone while at Lincoln Park Thursday evening – one from a friend the victim contacted afterward, the other from a nearby resident who says suspects were seen running through her neighborhood shortly afterward and dropped items from the victim’s wallet. The victim described the robbers as five “Somali or Ethiopian males in their late teens (who) wore hoodies and masks”; neighbors’ description of who they saw, “wearing sweatpants, hoodies, sneakers, and protective face masks … light brown skin (and) lean.” We are still working to get the police report for additional details.
MOTORCYCLE STOLEN: This happened in Top Hat, but stolen vehicles from one side of the city-county line often turn up on the other:
My husband’s motorcycle (was taken) last night or early this morning from Southside by Vintage apartment complex on SW 112th St.
Call 911 if you see it.
BUILDING BREAK-INS: An Alki resident in the 2300 block of Bonair reports, “In 5 years living here,-nothing. Now in one night, 3 cars broken into, a storage room was broken into and several tenants’ stuff taken, and a bunch of packages. This was reported yesterday morning. I think people in this area need to be aware this is happening. It’s never been an issue before.”
PACKAGE THEFT: From Joseph – “Unfortunately, we were victims of a package theft at our house near Hanford and 37th Ave SW last night at 11:26 pm. Here is a link to the video from our security camera. It looks like the woman walked right up to our front door. The image is not great, but hopefully someone recognizes this individual.”
(WSB photo)
1:09 PM: On its way to the Seattle Police evidence room as of a short time ago – what’s believed to be one of two vehicles sought in connection with the Monday hit-run homicide near Longfellow Creek that killed 34-year-old Derrick Lacomb. A WSB reader spotted the damaged car along SW Thistle near 13th SW this morning and contacted us as well as police. Here are two photos the reader sent – the covered-over front light was a telltale feature:
Once police got there for a look at the car, they radioed in that it indeed appeared to be the one they were looking for, so they impounded it. We are checking to see if the other one (as seen in Wednesday’s report) has turned up yet.
4:50 PM: Thanks to the texter who pointed out an SPD update we missed, that the other vehicle was found late yesterday.
From Megan, who says this happened near California/Lander:
I came to my car this afternoon to have found it broken into. The only thing of note in the car was a black Dell desktop computer. I had planned to take it in to the computer repair shop on California to get past the lock screen—it was my deceased father’s and almost everything I have left of him (photos, documents, etc.) may now be lost forever. If someone comes across such a desktop with the lock name “Steve” or “Steve Scott,” please help me recover this computer. I am filing a report with the police and it can be turned in or notified there if something suspicious comes up.
We’ll add the report # when we get it but in the meantime, if you find it or have some other lead, please let us know and we’ll connect you with Megan.
That video is part of an update today in Monday’s hit-run homicide near Longfellow Creek:
SPD Homicide detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating two vehicles believed to be connected to this homicide. Both vehicles were captured on a surveillance camera near the scene. Detectives have asked anyone who might have known the victim – identified as Derrick Lacomb – or have information about the incident to call the Violent Crimes Tipline at 206-233-5000.
Here’s another look at the two vehicles:
As first reported here Monday evening, Mr. Lacomb’s body was found near 24th/25th SW; police said on Tuesday that they believe he was hit and killed by a driver who then left the scene.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports. First, two thefts in the same Gatewood neighborhood:
STOLEN CAR: From Franci: “Red 2015 Subaru Forester. License plate is AWC6225. Police report is 20-249328. The only blemish is paint missing from the back of the driver’s-side mirror.” Call 911 if you see it.
STOLEN E-BIKE: Lauren says this happened along the same alley near California/Webster: “My bike was stolen out of a closed garage last night, sometime between midnight and 4:30 AM. RadRover Step-Thru, white, no battery in place. Only a few months old.”
And a short distance to the southwest, this happened early Monday evening:
CAR VANDALIZED: From Ava:
On Fauntleroy and Rose, someone broke my daughter’s car window. It is a small Nissan Versa. Why would someone do this? Please let me know if you hear of someone having seen (it) or taken a video.
No hint of how the window was broken – no rock or projectile found inside.
Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found near 24th/25th SW [map], by Longfellow Creek. We just went to the scene after a tip from a neighbor (thank you) about a big police response.
SPD at the scene included Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman, who told WSB that this all started with an investigation after a report of a hit-run crash in the area earlier today; near some debris left behind, the body was found. Capt. Grossman said they don’t know yet if the hit-run and death are connected; detectives are at the scene to see what they can find.
(WSB photo, June 19)
62-year-old Michael L. Dudley of Burien is now charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the June shooting deaths of 35-year-old Jessica Lewis and 27-year-old Austin Wenner, whose bodies were found in suitcases. The originally reported discovery near Luna/Anchor Park was not the only disposal site, prosecutors say. As reported here last week, police arrested Dudley Wednesday; probable-cause documents said he had been renting a room to the victims and arguing with them over payment of the $1500/month rent. The newly filed charging documents say:
While the precise motive for this crime is not yet fully known, the evidence to date shows that the defendant was angry with the victims for not paying rent and for bringing potential criminal activity to the Ambaum home. The defendant, likely with the aid of others, dismembered the two victims after he killed them, separated their bodies into multiple bags and suitcases and tried to hide them in different bodies of water. This process would have taken a lot of time and effort and his willingness to take these extreme steps demonstrates the threat he poses to the community.
The other “body of water” in which more of the victims’ remains were found is explained later as “near 10000 West Marginal Pl, near the Seattle City Light power substation on the Duwamish River,” a discovery reported to the King County Sheriff’s Office, which subsequently contacted SPD. The Medical Examiner said both victims had been beaten as well as shot.
10 days after the discovery in West Seattle, the charging documents say, family members of the victims told police they had been staying with Dudley since last December. Investigators talked to a variety of other people in piecing together circumstances leading to the murder allegation. Regarding the aforementioned “potential criminal activity,” the court documents say Wenner had been attacked at the Burien house by men with whom he had been having some kind of dispute.
The court document notes that Dudley’s criminal history includes a felony drug conviction from Thurston County in 1996 and convictions in California for Carrying a Concealed Weapon in a Vehicle (1994), Taking a Vehicle for Temporary Use (1995), and Vehicle Theft (1996), plus an Oregon conviction for DUI (1977). As we reported last week, he was charged more recently with misdemeanor domestic-violence assault for allegedly attacking a woman he had been dating. He remains jailed in lieu of $5 million bail. (added) He’s scheduled for arraignment September 8th.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
VANDALISM/THREAT: An Alki resident says someone threw a baseball rock through her window around 11:30 pm Thursday night, with a threatening note, addressing her by name, wishing her children harm, and using a misogynistic slur. Police report is 2020-245673.
ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT: The thefts continue. Just got a note from Jason in the 4100 block of 54th SW:
At approximately 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, 8/23/2020, a catalytic converter was stolen off my Toyota Prius parked on the street. Neighbors who heard a scraping sound woke up to investigate saw a white van with a roof ladder rack and one ladder attached drive south on 54th Ave SW with its lights off. A police report has been filed.
CAR PROWL: From James:
Last night, 10:15 pm. 100th Street right up from 35th Ave. We’ve been hit several times by prowlers (I assume same person, because there was a brazenness to his behavior this time. He’s taken kids’ bikes, jackets, and anything else he can take.)
This time he got my wallet from my car. I saw him walking into the driveway and by the time I walked out he was already walking away saying, ‘I was looking for a friend, I didn’t do nothing wrong’ and then he walked quickly away from me west on 100th. At that point I didn’t know if he was armed and I didn’t realize I had left my wallet in the car so I just let him walk away (he gave off a creepy vibe).
He had a dark hood on, a face mask, and very difficult to see any identifying features. Police report being filled out. They didn’t send anyone by. I just wanted to let you guys know so our neighbors can be aware and take precautions.
8:25 PM: This week, Seattle Police have been talking about an increase in gunfire incidents around the city and locally. Tonight it happened again in West Seattle. The car in the photo above was pulled over at California/Juneau after police got reports of multiple vehicles involved in a gunfire incident near 48th/49th/Charlestown. This car was found to have a bullet hole in the hood. Police were still looking for at least one other vehicle last we heard; no injuries reported. We are on the way to the original scene to see if we can find out more.
8:41 PM:. Police are still talking to people at the original scene but tell us they have not made any arrests so far.
8:58 PM: Police just told dispatch that they’ve also recovered a shell casing near 48th/Charlestown.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
SMASH-AND-GRAB SUSPECT CHARGED: Last month we reported on a smash-and-grab theft at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction. Now the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged a suspect. 22-year-old Christopher A. King of Renton is charged with 2 counts of first-degree theft, in this case and a March incident at a jewelry store in Tukwila. The documents say he has a record including burglary and auto theft and just got out of prison in January. While the thief wore a disguise (security-video framegrab above) while smashing a display case and bolting with $36,000 in jewelry, the charging papers say King was identified thanks to the store employee who reviewed video and found a store visitor earlier in the day, undisguised, with the same clothing, shoes, watch, and hair (as shown here). That image was in turn circulated among law-enforcement officers and one recognized King. He is not in custody; there’s a $10,000 warrant out for his arrest.
ANOTHER CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT: Kimberly reports a catalytic-converter theft overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, near 47th/Hinds. (We have a followup question out asking what make/model of car.)
A couple nights ago, Kay told us about Brooke, working to restore a vandalized bus-shelter mural at 35th/Thistle. Today, Brooke sends an update:
Just wanted to share the (almost) final result. I need to let this dry and then touch up where it was gouged.
Pretty pleased with the progress and hopefully it inspires others in the community and if nothing else is a bit of good news. I had no idea how much this mural meant to folks.
(WSB photo, June 19th)
12:56 PM: Two months after the discovery of two murder victims in a suitcase at Duwamish Head, police have just announced an arrest:
A 62-year-old man is in custody for the murder of two people after their remains were located in West Seattle in June. On Wednesday afternoon, detectives arrested the suspect at a residence in Burien. He was interviewed and then booked into the King County Jail.
The victims were 35-year-old Jessica Lewis and 27-year-old Austin Wenner, both from south King County, both shot to death. More info to come …
1:22 PM: The suspect remains in jail. He has not yet been charged so we are not publishing his name. We haven’t found a felony record for him yet in state files, but case documents from a 2016 misdemeanor domestic-violence-assault arrest in Burien describe him as “a convicted felon.” He’s due for a probable-cause/bail hearing this afternoon and we should have more information after that.
5:10 PM: Still awaiting more details, but the jail register shows the suspect’s bail is now set at $5 million.
7:23 PM: The probable-cause document from the bail hearing says the suspect had rented a room at his south Burien home to the victims but had been fighting with them and wanted them to leave. Neighbors told police that on June 9th, they heard gunfire coming from the house, and heard a male voice yelling “Please don’t do this, just let me leave.” Burien Police went to the house but no one answered the door. When Seattle Police served a warrant there yesterday, the document says, they found bullet holes, bullet strikes, spent rounds, and blood in one of the rooms. The rounds were 9mm, same as a gun they found in the suspect’s car at the time of his arrest. He told detectives the victims had been staying with him and acknowledged they had been fighting with him and had been unable to pay the $1,500/month rent he was charging, but he did not have an explanation for the evidence of gunfire in the room. One more note: The probable-cause document says, without details, that the suspect has a record for drugs and DUI.
Four reader reports:
MORE GATEWOOD GUNFIRE: Late last night, we heard a dispatch for possible gunfire in the 7100 block of California SW. Did not hear any report of what if anything officers found at the time, but we just received this via text:
Shots fired again in Gatewood last night, same alley as the car shooting 3 weeks ago. This time shots were fired directly into our neighbors’ house, through the kitchen and bedroom windows. Police have been notified. Fortunately no one hurt.
BUSINESS BURGLARY: The report and photo are from Mark:
Just popped in the Rite Aid on California Ave south of the Junction, saw a shattered window to right of door. Asked the employee on duty, says around 5 am someone broke in and stole cartons of cigarettes and about 30 or so airplane bottles of liquor. They were caught on camera, though.
RACK THEFT ATTEMPT: From M:
Someone tried to steal the kayak rack off my SUV (Friday) night, while it was parked in my driveway in Seaview. Both the rack and the crossbars have locks, but they still managed to break off the end cap and try to slide it off the crossbar. My car was broken into a few months ago in the same location, though there was nothing in it to take. There’s a very bright motion light in the driveway, but doesn’t seem to bother them. They must’ve spent a good deal of time trying to get the rack off.
FROM THE ‘DUMPED/LIKELY STOLEN’ FILE: Recognize these camping chairs?
Texter just spotted them at the California/Fontanelle bus stop.
REMINDER – CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY: Hear from and talk with Southwest Precinct police at 7 pm Tuesday (August 18) during the first West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting in six months. Online, of course – connection info is in our preview.
The photos are from a texter whose Jeep was prowled on the northeast end of Fauntleroy, along the west end of the West Seattle Bridge.
“They took the tools to take apart a Jeep. Also the tool to take the spare tire off the rear. Everything else is replaceable. They took the whole glove compartment too.” If you find anything like that, let us know and we’ll connect you.
4:21 PM: From SPD Blotter:
Officers arrested a 46-year-old man in West Seattle this morning after he called police about his missing wallet, which he had left behind during an earlier burglary.
On Friday, August 14th, just after 3:00 AM, officers were called to the 6600 block of SW Admiral Way to investigate a burglary. The complainant told officers that an unknown male had entered her apartment and that she had awoken to find a man standing next to her bed.
The woman and her boyfriend told the suspect to leave, which he did. The couple then called 911.
The couple provided police with a description of the man, including the fact that he might have had a dog with him. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect. However, a backpack the suspect had left behind was found at the scene.Officers examined the contents of the backpack and located identification of the possible suspect. The physical description on the ID matched the description of the suspect provided by the victims.
At approximately 8:30 AM, the 46-year-old male suspect called 911 to report that an unknown person had stolen his wallet within the past 10 minutes. The man identified himself by the same name that was on the identification left at the burglary scene. When police contacted the man, he declined to file a report, but officers noticed he was wearing similar clothing as described by the victims, and he was in possession of a dog.
The original burglary victims were brought to the scene where they positively identified the suspect.
The suspect was arrested and later booked into the King County Jail.
Animal Control officers responded to take custody of the suspect’s dog, and may be opening an investigation into possible criminal animal abuse, as there was evidence of recent injuries to the dog.
Detectives will handle the follow up investigation.
5:40 PM: The suspect remains in jail tonight. He does not have any felonies on record in this state, nor any recent arrests.
Thanks for all the tips. We’ve had multiple recent reports of paint vandalism – from tags to specific messages – so it’s time for not only a report but also to revisit what you can do. (Note: We have photos of everything mentioned but WSB policy is to not show graffiti, with few exceptions, such as an investigation when more evidence of a specific vandal’s work were being sought.)
FAUNTLEROY: On the sidewalks around the Endolyne business district’s main intersection – 45th/Wildwood – over the past two nights, someone has stenciled COPS LIVES MATTER in more than 15 spots. In that same area, a resident’s new handmade A-board sign reading BIDEN 2020 had the Democratic candidate’s name painted over and replaced with Trump in blue paint. That sign’s owner says similar vandalism was done to a sign he made for his sister in Seaview.
ALKI: Several spots along the promenade were hit last Thursday night with scrawled messages, mostly in support of “defunding” police. The vandalized spots included the concrete walls atop and alongside stairways, and the brick restroom building near 63rd/Alki.
BEACH DRIVE: A resident who often walks along the north end of Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook – north of the area that’s closed for the seawall project – sent a photo this morning of new tags and other paint vandalism on the concrete wall by the water. Far from the first time, but clearly the work of multiple vandals.
DELRIDGE: Recent paint vandalism at Delridge Skatepark is also not the first time, but a neighbor was particularly angry about the profanity the vandal(s) included, given the park is used by very young skaters as well as teens and adults.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT PAINT VANDALISM: Except for the A-board signs, everything mentioned above is/was on city property. This page explains what can be done – report it online, via the Find It Fix It app, or call the hotline, 206-684-7587. Various city crews are assigned to clean graffiti on city property. On private property, it’s the property owner’s responsibility.
Close call at a West Seattle home: Last night just before 11 pm, we heard the dispatch for suspected gunfire near 9th/Henderson, but didn’t hear whether police found anything, so today we requested the report narrative:
911 received multiple calls reporting possible shots being heard in the area of 9 Ave SW / SW Henderson St. Officers arrived in the area and located spent shell casings in the street. A nearby house had been struck several times, with some of the bullets passing through the home. The occupants of the home were contacted and cooperated with the investigation … SW Patrol processed the scene, took photos and collected evidence. A standby was conducted at the request of the victims to allow them time to pack belongings and leave the area for the night. The Gang Unit was notified.
No one was hit/injured. That’s not the first time for gunfire in the area; our archives include this report from last December.
Two reader reports:
STOLEN CAR: From John: “We had a 1999 red Honda CR-V stolen in the last day from SW Stevens St and 46th Ave SW. License BHY9500.” If you see it, call 911.
STOLEN LICENSE PLATES: From Leah, who says this all happened on 40th SW between Edmunds and Hudson:
My daughter’s car had the license plate stolen late evening on 7/31. She has an AZ plate only on the back with tabs expiring in 11/2020.
I talked with a neighbor a few days ago who was outside while I was walking my dog and mentioned his back plate was missing and asked if it was stolen. He said yes and said it was an out of state plate (didn’t say which state) but said the tabs were expired because he was trying to sell it. I told him about my daughter’s stolen plates and told him to report to SPD …
While walking our dog this morning, we saw another car parked that had both plates missing which my daughter says she saw last night with both plates still on. Looks like the car of a student from out of state (parking pass for Warren Wilson College-NC).
This now makes three cars with stolen plates on the same street.
From Festus, hit by a health-minded car prowler:
I live on 34th between Cloverdale and Trenton. Someone broke into our car in our driveway overnight while we were home.
Luckily, some Covid masks and a bag of giveaway clothes were the only things taken, but they really threw the inside of the car around. Just wanted to get the word out. Prowlers are out with the nice weather…
The photo is from a reader reporting an e-bike theft: “My partner had his brand-new bike stolen from our storage at the Huxley [Fauntleroy/Edmunds] over the weekend. It’s a $1,700 bike, still in the box. He uses this bike for work as a courier. If anyone has any leads, please, please let us know.” It’s a black RadCity Step-Thru. The placeholder report # is T20021439.
Reader report:
I live in Arbor Heights, and my Honda Metropolitan was stolen from my driveway, from inside my carport last night, Friday, 8/7, between the hours of 8 pm and 8 am Saturday morning. It has Washington plates, and a slight hole in the seat. If anyone has seen this, please contact the police, or Jena at (206)383-6999.
We’ll add the plate #/incident # when available.
The report is from Sam:
Our 2004 Prius had its catalytic converter stolen Monday or Tuesday night. We finally got it into Alki Auto this morning to diagnose it. And we were one of three vehicles they got today with stolen catalytic converters. Seems like this isn’t going away anytime soon.
Checking our Crime Watch archives, this type of theft has been going on for the entire 12+-year span we’ve been publishing West Seattle news – thieves are after the metal content.
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