West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
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.
4:45 PM: Thanks for all the tips about Guardian One over Arbor Heights and vicinity. They were helping SPD with a prowler report. (No other details so far.)
6:12 PM: SPD’s Twitter log indicates the call was in the 10400 block of Maplewood Place.
Last night we briefly mentioned a reported stabbing in the 9200 block of 17th SW. No other details were available at the time but today we’ve obtained the police report. According to the report, it started with a 911 call about “people fighting with knives.” Arriving officers found a man with what the report describes as a deep, 3-inch long wound on his upper left rib cage. He told them he was awakened by his roommate reporting someone was “attacking” his car, parked near 17th/Cambridge. The victim said he went out to check and found someone kicking the car, so he grabbed a small rock and confronted the person, who then pulled out a “7- to 8-inch-long knife” and “started swinging it.” The victim ran back to his apartment, where he discovered he was wounded. Before medics took him to Harborview, he told police he recognized the suspect from social media, though that didn’t pan out. Meantime, a witness told officers that the stabbing suspect had been doing driving stunts – speeding and then slamming on the brakes – in a black SUV, before getting out to key and kick the victim’s car. He was described as Hispanic, about 50 years old, wearing a red T-shirt, blue jeans, and a hat.
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.
With more businesses forced to close because of the governor’s stay-home order, that Seattle Police flyer may be helpful (see it above, and here in PDF) – Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner sent it, along with another city “tip sheet.”
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.
Sent by Shawn:
I live in Sunrise Heights and I had a small fiberglass camper stolen out of the alley sometime early morning of the 18th. I wanted to report to you that even with everything going on right now, an officer arrived about 15 minutes after I called the non-emergency line to take a report. Luckily it had a flat tire, and no spare, so he said it probably couldn’t have gotten far and may leave marks in the road. He said he’d take a quick drive around to see if he could find it. About 15 minutes later, I received a call that it had been found about a half-mile away. It was near a van that a neighbor said showed up a couple nights earlier but did not belong to anyone living nearby and was filled with stuff and had a broken window. Not sure if it was a coincidence or if it was connected but the police were having it impounded. I wanted to share how thankful and impressed I was for the quick resolution and hard work done by the SPD even with all that is going on right now.
Crime’s down but not out.
PACKAGES TAKEN: The video is from Sydney in Fairmount Springs, who reports:
I wanted to share that our Arlo security camera captured a man in broad daylight dressed in a neon vest with a fake scanner stealing two packages off of our front porch when my husband and I were on a walk with our son and dog. This occurred in the Fairmount Springs neighborhood at 41st and Juneau within 4 hours of the packages being delivered. I wanted to share so that our community can be on the lookout for this man and this type of crime. We did file a report with the police as well.
GARDENING THIEVES? Geoff in Seaview sent this report Tuesday:
We just went into our backyard to do some work and discovered that sometime in the past 24 hours someone stole over a yard of bagged topsoil from our backyard.
It must have been quite the operation, but we didn’t see or hear anyone. We’re near the intersection of 46th and Juneau.
If not for COVID-19, tonight would bring the monthly West Seattle Crime Prevention Council community meeting at the Southwest Precinct, usually starting with a crime-trend briefing from local police leadership. Since that’s not happening, we asked them if they’d provide a briefing for us to publish. This is what operations commander Lt. Steve Strand sent:
The Seattle Police Department is making adjustments, during this unprecedented time, to provide public safety to our various communities. The Southwest Precinct is fully functional and our employees are healthy, as we manage our operations, and respond to calls for service. A few changes we have made:
Our Precinct Lobby is locked with a sign telling potential walk-ups how to contact us.
Our Precinct is not holding public meetings but will explore the possibility of alternative formats via email or internet.
Calls are being screened for online, or telephonic, reporting when feasible. Officers are still responding in-person and will take necessary precautions by wearing Personal Protective Equipment if recommended.
Emphasis Patrols have been modified, or canceled, due to the current lack of activity in most of the locations.
It will take some time to see how this will affect our crime trends but for now we are focused on life safety and getting safely through this precarious time.
The last part was in response to our question about how crimes like burglary and package theft have been trending, given that far fewer homes are unoccupied in the daytime (which is prime time for those crimes, contrary to popular belief). Leafing through the Southwest Precinct sectors’ Tweets by Beat (automated brief incident type/area mentions that are aggregated on the WSB Crime Watch page), we only see one residential burglary in the past three days, for example.
P.S. Regarding the “emphasis patrol” areas, those have included Westwood Village, The Junction, and South Park.
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.
Angie‘s car was stolen from Delridge/Henderson around 8:30 Friday night: “2016 dark green/blackish color Nissan Altima. Plate #BIF6114.” If you see it, please call 911.
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.
Annie reports this happened early Monday morning near 40th/Barton in Fauntleroy:
Had my car prowled at 6 am. Someone in sweats and a hoodie got into my car and took something out of the glove box. I got to the window in time to see a car racing away with its lights off, east up Barton, then turned left/north onto 39th Ave SW. I filed an online report with the police.
The photo and report are from Holly in Seaview:
Someone vandalized our car, slashing all four tires while it was parked at the corner of Findlay and 47th sometime between 1 pm on the 27th and 11 am on the 29th. No other cars in the vicinity were vandalized. We’ve reported the incident to the police, and it would be great if anyone in the neighborhood could provide information in the comments if they noticed anything.
Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
GYM THEFT: Just in from Natalie:
I had my contents (credit cards and cash) from my wallet stolen tonight between 6:45- 7:30 while working out at LA Fitness in West Seattle. The lock was not broken so I’m assuming they had picked the lock. As I was leaving the gym, my credit card company called me to report possible fraud. They tried to use my card at QFC to buy gift cards (I’m assuming) in the amount of 680 and 200. I have 2 credit cards and they tried both for the same amount. Just wanted to get the word out there.
GARAGE BREAK-IN: Thomas sent the security-camera photo and report of what happened at his Harbor Avenue condo:
We had a break in Sunday morning 1:00 am to 1:30. A man was in our garage stealing small items from cars and broke an elevator emergency box off the wall.
SHOPLIFTERS: Justin at Sound and Fog sends this next report and security-camera image:
These three individuals shoplifted at least once from my store. If they’ve done it to me they’ve probably hit other shops in West Seattle. If you see them, please call the police and reference incident number 20-73345.
He says all three were there February 14th and at least one returned this past Monday.
MIDAS SCARE FOLLOWUP: We asked SPD for the report on the incident at the closed Midas that closed Fauntleroy Way SW in The Triangle Wednesday afternoon.
(WSB photo, Wednesday afternoon)
The available report says this started as a burglary call, largely along the lines of what we reported at the time. The officer writing the report mentions the two people (“complainants” in police terms) who called in after they arrived to “fix a hole in the building,” then continues:
According to C(omplainant) 1, he told our dispatchers that he heard some type of banging coming from inside of the shop prior to our arrival. He advised me that this was approximately a ten-fifteen-minute time delay.
Both Complainants walked into the garage office area and heard (possibly) a door shut. Once they heard that they exited the facility and contacted police.
When we arrived, I noticed a painted-over black Chevrolet pickup with items inside the bed. I looked into the window and it appeared as if the vehicle was in disarray. I eventually found the ignition switch of the vehicle hanging from wires underneath the dashboard. There was another white Buick LeSabre Sedan … and a trailer … The trailer was parked at the Northeast corner of the facility. The Buick sedan was parked at the Southwest area of the facility. According to C1, the vehicles were not there (one day earlier) when they came to do an assessment of the hole located at the rear of the shop.
We did a search of the facility and did not discover anyone inside of the facility. … The access area was approximately two feet in height and approximately two feet in width. It appeared that the unknown suspect(s) left (via) the rear door located in the north part of the shop.
According to witnesses at the adjacent apartment complex, they were cleaning the window at the apartment complex from the outside on a ladder. One person stated that they heard what was a large bang that came from the complex. He believed that sound came from a door that was closing. He then advised officers that the unknown suspect was a white male approximately twenty-thirty years of age. He was wearing a black baseball cap along with a black jacket, approximately five foot ten inches in height.
We advised both complainants if there were items that was taken from the shop in back of the pickup truck to start taking them off of there. In doing so they located a small (bag) that contained what possibly were explosives. (Two sergeants) were advised of the situation and notified Arson and Bomb Squad.
The burglary report also says the Community Police Team was asked to work with building owners/management to get a trespass contract so they can deal more quickly with anyone found at the site. And it notes that the black pickup “that had the possible stolen items” was impounded so burglary detectives could deal with it, while the contractors were advised that they could have the mystery white sedan towed “at the owner’s expense” if they chose to. No further info, though, about the items the contractors described as grenades.
From Angela via email:
My car was broken into last night. I live on 38th Ave SW, cross street SW Hanford st. They got away with my car charger and cord, the manual to my car, a few pairs of sunglasses, and a tube of hand lotion. Nothing super valuable, just very annoying. I must have left my car unlocked (though i swear i locked it…. but thankful for no damage). I did the online reporting of this incident for statistics purposes. If anyone sees a Subaru Forester manual while out walking, pick it up for me!!!! I can’t imagine the thief/thieves keeping that….
Three suspects who were charged two weeks ago in unrelated West Seattle cases all appeared for arraignment today before King County Superior Court Judge Patrick Oishi. Here’s what happened, according to court documents:
ALKI SHOOTING: 21-year-old Allan D. Hawley was arraigned on 2 counts of first-degree assault, filed against him in the February 2nd Alki Beach shooting that left two other men injured. Hawley requested that his $400,000 bail be reduced, but the judge said no, so he remains in King County Jail. His record includes 1 felony conviction, as a juvenile, in a burglary case.
JUNCTION ROBBERY: 38-year-old Monique S. Anderson also was arraigned today. She is charged with one count of second-degree robbery, accused of getting violent while trying to steal sunglasses from West Seattle Optix in The Junction on February 5th. Anderson also requested a bail reduction; that motion was denied and she remains jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail. Her record includes three adult felonies and one juvenile felony.
TOOL THEFT/BUYBACK STING: 31-year-old Jared M. Bruce had already been released on personal recognizance by the time he was charged in this case. When charges of attempted stolen-property trafficking and unlawuful gun possession were filed, his bail was raised to $75,000. Though he has 17 adult felony convictions (along with 8 juvenile felonies), he remains out of custody, now ordered to be an electronic home detention. He told the court he’ll be living in Lakewood.
Three weeks ago, we noted a plea hearing was scheduled for Michael Gutierrez, the former West Seattle High School JV-girls basketball coach charged with inappropriate sexual communication with a player. It didn’t happen on the date shown in online court files then, but documents now show it did finally happen. Gutierrez pleaded guilty to one count of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. That’s what he was charged with last June, about four months after he was fired from the part-time coaching job following a district investigation. Charging documents said he “engaged a student-athlete he coached in (in)appropriate sexual communication in electronic communication and in person. The defendant kissed the girl and also grabbed, or spanked her bottom on a number of occasions.” Gutierrez, 29, has no criminal record and is scheduled to be sentenced by King County Superior Court Johanna Bender on March 13th. According to the case files, prosecutors are recommending a one-year jail sentence that will be suspended if he successfully completes two years of probation. The conviction will require him to register as a sex offender.
Two Crime Watch notes tonight:
WHITE CENTER SHOOTING: Thanks for the tips on this. One person was found in White Center tonight with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, after deputies responded to a report of shots heard near 16th/Roxbury. The story’s on our partner site White Center Now.
BURGLARY ATTEMPT: We asked SPD about this early-morning incident near 34th/Morgan. Their summary:
Officers responded to the 6300 block of 34th SW for a reported burglary in progress at about 2:15 am this morning. According to the victim, an unknown person attempted to enter the house via the dog door. The homeowner was able to scare off the suspect before they got inside. According to the victim, the suspect, possibly two, fled the area before the officers arrived. Officers conducted a thorough search of the area, but did not locate the suspect(s).
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