West Seattle, Washington
26 Tuesday
WSB readers have done a great job lately finding stolen items reported here – documents, a backpack, even a car. So maybe you can find some of what a thief took from Makenzie:
I wanted to report a break-in this morning on 46th and Walker. My car was broken into, and about 400 dollars worth of camping equipment was stolen. I wanted to put the word out in case anyone in the neighborhood finds the contents somewhere, or knows anything about it. The stolen property includes; a REI hiking backpack (around 25 liters), two Nalgene water bottles, a pair of down-filled pants (Mont Bell brand), a Patagonia rain jacket, and a map of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
If you find any of this, let us know and we’ll connect you.
(Reader photo, early today)
Early this morning, we covered the Alki incident in which two 19-year-old men were shot and wounded. This afternoon, we’ve received a message from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman, not so much about the incident’s specifics as about the state of local policing:
Dear West Seattle Neighbors (and Alki Residents, specifically):
As reported on WSB, there was a drive by shooting on Alki early this morning. Following a response from patrol officers, the Gang Unit responded to initiate a follow up investigation. The most recent information about the incident can be found here, on the SPD Blotter.
I am concerned about a recent uptick in shootings in West Seattle and have made violent crime–and gun violence–one of my top priorities. I have directed my officers to deter gun crimes whenever possible, take illegal guns off the street, make arrests for gun crimes, and conduct thorough investigations in shots fired incidents.
I also want to be transparent about SPD’s current resource situation. It is not unusual to have a total of eight officers working in all of West Seattle at any given time–usually four on the west side and four on the east. And during our most busy times, all of those officers are literally running from 911 call to 911 call, based on priority. I recently had to make the difficult decision to eliminate the full-time bicycle squad in West Seattle and to incorporate the officers back into the 911 call response rotation.
Last week I spoke with a frustrated resident who called the non-emergency number several times about some issues at the Don Armeni Boat Ramp, seemingly without a response. I did a little research to find that his call held for almost an hour because officers were busy responding to a rape, shots fired, threats to harm with a suspect on scene, a stolen car, and a stolen license plate. Once officers were finally free and able to respond, they arrived within 16 minutes of being dispatched.
I hear often from residents who make a request to have an officer stationed on their block or in their neighborhood. We simply do not have the resources to fulfill those requests. In past years, SPD had the budget to have officers work emphasis patrols in certain designated areas–like Alki–on an overtime basis. Unfortunately, our budget no longer permits us to do that, and we must work with the available on duty resources.
Please continue to call 911 for emergencies, the non-emergency number for all other complaints (206-625-5011), and officers will be dispatched according to priority and availability. I also encourage you to reach out to the Crime Prevention Coordinator assigned to the Southwest Precinct, Jennifer Danner, about crime prevention strategies. I also encourage you to join SPD in working with other city agencies–like SDOT and Parks–on problem-solving approaches (like the creation of Stay Healthy Streets) that may curb vehicle and pedestrian traffic that lead to other problems.
We clarified with Capt. Grossman that by “uptick in shootings” he included the recent non-injury shots-fired incidents. This is the first injury shooting incident since he took over the precinct a month ago.
(Reader photos)
2:55 AM: Thanks for the tips. 2 people have been taken to the hospital after what police call a drive-by shooting, near 55th/Alki. We just got here to try to find out more.
(WSB photos – this one & next two)
3:08 AM: Two blocks of Alki are shut down while officers investigate. The victims were in a pickup truck into which bullets were fired; casings were found in the street.
3:33 AM: Added more photos.
Police say the victims were both men, one shot in the chest, the other in the arm, both expected to survive. No suspect description yet. This happened during what already was a busy night at Alki, as residents were telling us around midnight – from multiple illegal beach fires to fireworks to stunt-driving in the street (added – reader photo of busy beach shortly before the shooting, hours after closing time):
Police and SFD had been dispatched previously. Also of note: This is the first Alki shooting since February (the suspect in that case remains jailed, awaiting trial).
10:30 AM: SFD says both victims are 19 years old.
5:38 PM: We’ve just published a message from the Southwest Precinct’s new commander, Capt. Kevin Grossman:.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:
PROWLERS: From Steven in North Delridge:
A little bit before 1:30 am this morning (31 July) prowlers entered my property from the neighbor’s backyard. My decking contractor’s air compressor was stolen. They also surveyed the side and back yards, obviously looking for other items to steal. They also checked windows to see if they could easily gain entry into the house. This occurred on the west side of the 4800 block of 25th Ave SW. My CCTV system caught it all. The cameras are obvious, it is equally obvious they didn’t care about getting recorded.
Two males, one Black, the other unknown. The one with the blue hoodie, the word “EAGLE” is emblazoned across the top of the hood. Both were wearing work gloves. Non-hoodie one is wearing a baseball cap. Hoodie one is wearing a USA flag (red/white/blue) cloth face mask.
This is the second such event on this block within the past three weeks (that I know about). The first time the intruders also forced entry into the neighboring house. Fortunately the offenders decided to crash there for a while, the police were summoned and they were arrested. That house was (and still is) unoccupied, it just got sold and the new owners have not moved in yet.
A police report has been filed.
SCAM CALL: From WSCurmudgeon:
Today a bit after 2 PM, the following voice mail message was left on my mobile phone:
“… department is to inform you that there is a legal enforcement actions [sic] filed on your social security number for fraudulent activity. So when you get this message kindly call back at the earliest possible on [sic] our number before we begin with the legal proceedings. That is 833 972 ****. I repeat 833 972 ****. Thank you. ”
Versions of this scam have been around for years. You’ve mentioned these types of scams periodically, so thought you might want to do so again. The Social Security Administration (SSA) never initiates contact with recipients via phone regarding their benefits or problems with their accounts. A mailed notice always precedes any telephone contact.
I definitely did NOT call this number back. I reported this call to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. It’s easy to do online.
The photo and report are from the Highland Park Improvement Club:
Please Help – Someone has stolen the BLM banners from the Highland Park Improvement Club fence – we have recovered half of them but are still searching for the rest. The piece we have was found around 14th & Thistle. Please email with any leads – hpic1919@gmail.com
HPIC is a nonprofit community organization headquartered in a century-old building at 12th and Holden, and has been busy even with the pandemic putting gatherings on hold, offering free food for families, among other things.
One new report and two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
PUGET RIDGE GUNFIRE: After a reader report about confirmed gunfire on Puget Ridge last night, we requested the incident narrative from Seattle Police. It happened around 9:30 pm; a vehicle described as a “dark-colored sedan” was seen in the 5500 block of 18th SW. One block north, police found five shell casings, all described as 9mm Luger, from two different manufacturers. The police report says no property damage or injuries were reported.
STOLEN CAR FOUND: Kelly confirms what a commenter posted this morning below the report about her stolen white Honda Pilot, taken Friday in Admiral – it was found in the 9400 block of 17th SW.
STOLEN BACKPACK FOUND: The backpack belonging to Tina‘s son, reported stolen at Lowman Beach, turned up today nearby. (Thanks to the finder who texted us so we could tell Tina!)
Kelly is hoping for help looking for her stolen car. It’s a white 2020 Honda Pilot LX, Washington plates BTN0935, stolen in Admiral last Friday morning. If you see it, call 911.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes today:
STOLEN BOAT RECOVERED: Alyssa emailed us this morning to report her 13-foot aluminum boat and trailer “stolen in the middle of the night from in front of our house in Highland Park.” But just as we were preparing to post about it, she sent word that police have found it – missing its motor. (Added: She says it was dumped blocks away, left in the middle of the road by Riverview Playfield.)
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BAG OF STUFF: From Marc:
Someone dumped a bag of tools with a i-phone in it and a small space heater still in it’s box. I plugged the i-phone in and looks like the owner has tracking on it??? Anyway, I am hoping to return this stuff to the rightful owner. Found off of Delridge, Willow st. and 24th.
If that might be yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.
Two reports so far today:
ANOTHER CAR DAMAGED BY GUNFIRE: If you heard gunshots early Saturday in the Gatewood/Morgan Junction area – here’s what the police report we obtained today says it turned out to be:
(Saturday morning) I was dispatched to (the 7000 block of) California AV SW, unit to investigate the report of property damage in the form of bullet holes in (victim’s) vehicle that occurred overnight.
I contacted (the victim) in the alley behind his building (east of California AV SW) where his vehicle was parked, backed in to a parking spot perpendicular to the alley. It was immediately obvious that the front and hood of his vehicle was riddled with fresh bullet holes. (He) stated that he approaches his vehicle from behind so he noticed a large wet spot running away from his vehicle but did not notice anything was wrong until he attempted to start his vehicle and “a bunch of warning lights went off” and it would not start.
(We) located 8- spent 9mm Blazer brass shell casings scattered around the alleyway in front of (the) vehicle. We also located 8 separate bullet holes in the front bumper, grill, and hood of (the) vehicle. There were vehicles parked directly on both sides of the’s vehicle as well as in many other spots of the parking strip. None of the other had any damage to them. (The victim) stated that he had just bought the vehicle approximately a month ago and just moved into this apartment building approximately a week and a half prior and did not know of anyone in his personal or professional life that would do something like this. I agreed with that the incident did seem to be targeted toward him or at least his vehicle specifically. A check with SPD dispatch showed a shots fired call with multiple callers from the east of this address at approximately 0048 Hrs this morning (2020-222259). Officers responded and did not locate anything.
No indication whether it might be related to last week’s incidents; police said the weapon in those appeared to have been a shotgun.
STOLEN BACKPACK: Tina hopes you can help find her child’s backpack, stolen Sunday at Lowman Beach Park and containing some items of hers as well: “The backpack is black with Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog. We were at the beach just past all of the houses at the very end of the road.” If yu see an abandoned backpack like that, let us know and we’ll connect you.
P.S. Thanks to the person who found Linda‘s stolen documents and got them back to her after seeing the report here!
11:53 AM: Thanks for the tip: After a report of broken glass at Second Gear Sports in Morgan Junction (6529 California SW), we stopped by to inquire, and found out they were cleaning up after a burglary. No other details yet – they were still working on determining what was taken. We’ll add the police-report number when it’s available.
4:39 PM: An update just received from the proprietors:
To Our Community,
We have upsetting news that our beloved, family-owned store Second Gear Sports was burglarized in the wee hours on July 24, 2020. The front glass to our storefront was completely shattered. Two of our new Flash-brand electric bicycles were stolen, both gray in color, as well as a few backpacks and about three dozen pairs of sunglasses. A police report has been filed. We would welcome any assistance by our community if you have information.
Second Gear Sports is still here for you, and we ask that you continue to support us. If you have any questions or concerns, please message us at info@secondgearsports.com or call 206-935-3552.
Thank you,
Ellen & Mark Bremen, and our staff
8:13 PM: Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader report
WINDOW SHOT OUT: From Jenny:
My car was shot with a shotgun in the middle of the night last night. The police officer said it had happened to several other cars in West Seattle as well. (I live a few blocks west of the Junction.)
We have a BLM sign up in our window, and I’m wondering if we were targeted because of it. It would be helpful to hear from the other victims if they had signs up as well.
ADDED 10:21 AM FRIDAY: A Southwest Precinct update on the car-window vandalism:
Southwest Officers responded to a shots fired call with property damage. Several cars along Fauntleroy Way SW were damaged—apparently with a shotgun. No injuries reported. On arrival, officers located a vehicle with the rear driver side and passenger side windows shattered. A second vehicle with similar damage was located one block away. No evidence located at either scene, additionally- no suspects or suspect vehicles. Officers canvassed for external video and nothing of value found.
Anyone with info — or video — please call the SW Detectives at (206) 233-2612 (Sgt Jeff Durden) or (206) 233-2623 (Main line).
(back to original post) PROWLER: From Jessica at 35th and Cloverdale:
10:47 pm Wednesday night. Motion lights scared him off. This is the second prowl in a few months.
FIRST ITEM, 8:57 PM: From Linda:
My SUV was broken into last night (I accidentally left the door unlocked) in the Fauntleroy neighborhood near the ferry. There was nothing of value to the thieves, but they took my work crate full of financial brochures and notes. This won’t be of value to anyone, but me. I’m expecting the papers to be dumped somewhere and have walked the neighborhood looking for them. I’m hoping if someone finds them, I can retrieve them. They also took my kiddo’s epi-pens, which they probably won’t realize until they open the case. It’s a small black case with two generic epinephrine injectors, some Benadryl and Pepcid for allergies. I can replace them, but if found, would love them back.
Let us know if you think you’ve seen any of that, and we’ll connect you.
ADDED 10:24 PM: Just received from Katherine, a rude “welcome” for her new neighbors:
On Tuesday morning around 4 AM, a man in a white pick up truck stole a trailer off of my new neighbor’s Penske moving truck that was parked on Admiral way facing uphill, just before the Schmitz Park bridge.
My security footage is a little grainy, so we couldn’t get a license plate. Any tips would be greatly appreciated as they are on the hook for the costs.
Three notes tonight:
(July 8)
ARSON SUSPECT CHARGED: A 35-year-old man is jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail, charged with arson and burglary, in the White Center fire that gutted a former funeral home almost two weeks ago. The full story is on our partner site White Center Now.
GUNFIRE INCIDENT: Several reports of “gunshots or fireworks?” over the weekend, but we found just one confirmed case of gunfire, early Sunday in South Delridge. Here’s the narrative we obtained from the police report:
The victim got into an argument at a local club with an acquaintance, the suspect. That suspect made a comment that the victim took as a threat. Later, on 7/19/2020 at about 0235 hours, the victim returned home (8600 block of Delridge Way SW) and was walking to her apartment. The victim observed a vehicle pull into the block being driven by the suspect. The suspect pointed a firearm at the victim and fired two shots before leaving the scene, then the victim called 911 to report the incident.
A spent shell casing was located in the street and collected as evidence. There were no reported injuries or property damage. The suspect was not located.
BICYCLE FOUND: Missing a green and black Specialized bicycle? Someone found one and posted in the WSB Community Forums.
(update) Three reader reports this morning:
STOLEN BICYCLE: From Jessica:
My bike was stolen from our apartment’s parking garage Friday night/early Saturday morning in the North Admiral District. They cut my other bike in half to get to this one because they were unable to remove the Kryptonite lock. The lock is likely still on the bike. If anyone sees it, please contact us: Mike (msarniak@hotmail.com, 708.912.7243) and Jessica (jengel07@hotmail.com, 708.921.3429) or call the police, who have the information.
Serial: (ends in) 237M
Manufacturer: Trek
Name: Trek Remedy 8
Model: Remedy 8
Year: 2018
Primary colors: Black
Frame size: L
Frame Material: Aluminum
(added) STOLEN SCOOTER: From Amanda:
My red 2013 Honda PCX150 scooter (WA License plate begins “2D”) was stolen from our driveway, just north of the golf course, on the afternoon of Sunday, July 19th. Please contact Seattle police if you see it (report # 2020-217800, 206-733-9800) and thank you.
BAG DUMPED, POSSIBLY STOLEN: From Lauren:
(That) bag has been on the parking strip on Juneau between 38th SW and 39th SW since Friday AM. We thought maybe someone had forgotten it while packing up a car for the weekend, but it’s still here and we’re wondering now if it’s been stolen/dumped. It’s an olive green duffel with a Jeep logo. Haven’t looked inside but it’s partially unzipped and looks full.
From the “thieves will take anything” department, a brief reader report emailed by Cary: “25 concrete deck footing were stolen from our back alley in the 5400 block of 46th SW sometime after midnight.”
9:40 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are searching, with K9, in south Admiral, after what one neighbor tells us was gunfire, no known victim. They say it happened near 48th/Hanford and that a shell casing’s been found on the street. (Side note: We’ve heard a scanner mention of people standing around and watching. Be aware, that can get in the way of the K9’s suspect-tracking.)
9:54 PM: Still searching.
The photo and report are from Jim:
A hit-and-run driver in a distinctive red van clipped a bunch of cars down by Lowman Beach this morning shortly after 11:00 a.m.The van pulled over momentarily. Driver got out, looked at the damage, and decided to take off. While the van was pulled over, my neighbor took … pictures. She describes him as a thin man wearing a baseball cap, possibly in his 30s. The van has a solar panel on top, and will likely have some body damage. (Possibly an) early ’90s Chevy cargo van.
Jim says the driver hit at least three cars.
P.S. We’ll add the police-report number when we get it.
ADDED FRIDAY: It’s 20-214915.
Two reader reports (neither specified location aside from West Seattle):
STOLEN CAR: From Sean:
Silver 2000 Lexus RX 300
Liscense plate BPP 6873
Stolen between 11 pm Tuesday 7/14 and 8 am today.
Call 911 if you see it.
STOLEN SCOOTER: Taken out of a reader’s garage in broad daylight: “Blue Razor Scooter A5 Kick Scooter.”
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
WYATT”S JEWELERS SMASH-AND-GRAB: Another jewelry smash-and-grab – this time at Wyatt’s Jewelers (a longtme WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village. Here are some of the security-camera images:
It happened on Tuesday afternoon around 2:30 pm. The thieves smashed a case that held men’s jewelry, grabbed some items and bolted. Lauren at Wyatt’s was still doing inventory as of late last night but assessed the stolen items as mostly: “Men’s bands. Some trays were real and some were just fake Alloy for custom ordering purposes.” Here are two of the stolen rings:
We will add the police-report number when we get it. (UPDATE: 20-213041.)
FOLLOWUP: Another followup on last week’s similar smash-and-grab at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction. Going through video footage from earlier in the day, they found this:
Same shirt, jeans, shoes, and wristwatch as the masked/jacketed thief (as seen in other images they showed us) seen in the first followup. SPD incident number is 20-208198.
2 West Seattle Crime Watch reports involving local businesses:
PEGASUS BOOK EXCHANGE: The Junction book shop was hit by theft over the weekend – $200 in already-purchased books. “People can help us out by donating via the WSJA. People’s amazingly generous donations have already helped us recoup the cost of the loss,” Emma from Pegasus tells us. Any overage will go toward some security improvements. (Thanks to Elise for the tip on this.)
TOOLS TAKEN: Jack at Be Green reports, “My crew had some landscaping tools stolen this morning in Gatewood. These are battery operated and of course the stupid thieves didn’t realize the tools did not have the batteries in them. I’m guessing they are just going to dump them somewhere. If anyone finds them, there is a small reward. There was a mower and weed whacker. The suspect car was a ’90s purple Accord with no plates, just a paper sticker in the back window. (Here) is a picture of a car that represents this color and model.” And stock photos of the types of tools taken are here and here.
Sent by Alki resident April:
My husband’s car was stolen last night. Blue Honda CR-V, damaged driver side door. License plate AWL8452. If you happen to see the car anywhere, please let me know or call the police. This is more of a huge inconvenience than anything. Luckily we did not really have anything valuable in the car and it wasn’t exactly in great shape, but my husband was laid off due to COVID back in March so it’s just a huge hassle and financial burden. Car was stolen yesterday, July 10th on his 40th birthday!
Call 911 if you see it.
On Wednesday evening we mentioned a smash-and-grab incident at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction. Today, the business shared a security-cam image with us in hopes that might help lead to a suspect. They tell us the thief mostly got away with jewelry. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 20-208198.
While out following up on a few things, we happened onto a lights/sirens police response in The Junction. They were headed for Bellevue Rare Coins at California/Oregon, where, they told us, someone walked in, smashed a display case, grabbed items, and ran. A K9 will be joining the search. No description available.
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