West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
Julia hopes you can help find her stolen car:
My ’97 Subaru Legacy wagon (black with large dent in back left bumper, plate #AHG5464) was stolen from in front of our house (8600 block of 16th Ave SW) overnight. This is the second time this car has been stolen from this exact location. I had the “Club” on the steering wheel and the car was locked. I have reported this info to SPD.
If you see it, call 911.
Thanks to the texter who sent the photo and tip: For at least the third time in less than two months, someone has broken windows at the West Seattle Junction KeyBank. (Our previous reports are here and here.) We don’t know if police have apprehended anyone – we’ll have to check on that later this morning – but radio communication indicated arrangements were being made to get the windows boarded up.
That’s security video from the backyard of Matt‘s home near Fauntleroy/Thistle, across from Lincoln Park. He hasn’t been able to check yet for any other damage but is sharing this so others will be on the lookout. The intruder’s been reported to police; we don’t have the report number yet but will add when we do, in case you have a tip to report.
One week ago, we reported on a burglary at the Senior Center of West Seattle. While police continue to investigate, the nonprofit center has to deal with the costly aftermath – stolen items, damage repair. So the philanthropy group Impact West Seattle is coordinating a community fundraising drive to help. Rachel Lazar explains, “They have been such a supportive partner of Impact West Seattle, hosting our quarterly giving meetings. And we have learned so much about the incredible programs they offer as they are truly a gem in our community.” You can donate by going here!
One reader report today, with security video. I’s from Michael: “On Friday morning, 0500 hrs, July 26th, my helmet and gloves were stolen from my motorcycle. It was taken from our covered carport in our condo building (in the 4100 block of) Chilberg Ave. SW.” (We’ll add the police-report # when we get it.)
12:09 AM: Multiple 911 calls about gunfire sent police to 9th SW/SW Henderson, just west of Westcrest Park, and officers have reported via radio that they’ve found shell casings south of the intersection. No injuries reported so far, and also no description of suspect(s).
12:29 AM: Unrelated so far as we know, but here’s another call that’s drawn a police response of note: A resident in the Aura Apartments (35th SW just south of Avalon) reported someone broke into their apartment and ran out, westbound, with a laptop. Police are searching the area, with a K0 unit dispatched too.
The photo and report are from David:
Stolen between 11 pm and 11 am from the corner of Willow and 39th in Gatewood. 1992 Toyota Pickup regular cab with white canopy. License C30416C.
If you see it, call 911.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:20 AM: Police have closed northbound 16th SW at Brandon while investigating what was initially described via radio communication as a robbery or carjacking attempt. The would-be robbers are reported to have fired into the air as they fled; police found at least one shell casing in the street. A K-9 team is helping search right now. No further details but we’ll follow up.
ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: We obtained the police report; this was classified as an armed robbery. The three victims told police they had been parked on 16th SW when the robbers walked up to the passenger side of the car and said, “This is a robbery, give us all your s–t! Get out of the car!”P Police say the victims thought that the two robbers – who appeared to be juveniles – were joking until one pulled out a handgun and pointed it at them. The robbers then grabbed a victim’s backpack. The unarmed robber jumped into the car at one point. Eventually after a struggle over the backpack, the two robbers ran away. The one with the gun fired a shot in the air first; nobody was hit. Police searched but didn’t find them.
(Screen capture from security video)
Early today we made a periodic check of the files in court cases we’ve been following. One discovery of note: An arrest warrant for Gabriel C. Putnam, sought and granted just yesterday. Putnam is the 39-year-old man arrested and charged after this video-recorded Beach Drive burglary attempt last month. Police found him on another Beach Drive property further south, and also found a knife that appeared to be the one shown in the video. As we reported two weeks ago, he was released from jail into the CCAP program, which requires daily check-ins. Court documents say he stopped making those check-ins last week, so an arrest warrant was issued. If he is found and arrested, the warrant sets bail at $25,000.
TUESDAY: Thanks for the tip. A texter reported a “major police presence” at Tony’s Market (35th/Barton) so we went over to check. The police had just left as we arrived, but proprietor Joey told us it was a break-in attempt. He interrupted the would-be burglars; they took off, and he called 911. We’ll be checking tomorrow on the potential security video (and the police report).
ADDED WEDNESDAY: No updates. We did talk again with Joey, who explained that he happened to have eyes on his business while pumping gas at the 7-11 across the street when he saw the break-in attempt.
Recognize that burglar? The nonprofit Senior Center of West Seattle says he broke into the center’s Stop ‘n’ Shop Thrift Shop around 3:30 am Sunday. Among other things, the burglar stole “some expensive items” that were being researched. They observed that the burglar “seemed to know his way around the center.” If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 19-268996.
7:24 PM: Just in from an Arbor Heights resident – this clip showing a package thief in a “Just Do It” T-shirt. The victim reports:
We had a few packages stolen from our porch today, and this dude seemed to be making the rounds (I’m assuming because a lot of Prime Day stuff was getting delivered).
If it’s helpful to anyone, here is the video from my doorbell … it seems like others have had the same people steal from them today as well.
The resident also sent this clip from a neighbor’s camera showing a different thief but apparently the same vehicle. We’ll add the police-report number when available. This kind of incident usually can be reported online – police continue to reiterate that it’s really important for everything to be reported.
11:59 PM UPDATE: Police report # is 19-264203.
We are now less than three weeks from Night Out 2019, a night to gather with your neighbors and celebrate community while reflecting on safety. Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner is reminding you to register your block (building) party – a requirement if you plan to close a street (non-arterials only), but appreciated even if you don’t. August 6th is the night; deadline for registration is August 4th. (And if you wouldn’t mind us stopping by to photograph your party, email us before Night Out – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!)
ORIGINAL REPORT: That’s Olivia‘s car, and she is hoping you will help watch for it: “My car was stolen last night between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am this morning. It is a 2000 Honda Civic four-door in Plum Pearl (dark purple). No bumper stickers or cosmetic damage.” It was stolen on the county side of 25th/Roxbury so a report is on file with the King County Sheriff’s Office; call 911 if you see it.
ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Update from Olivia – “SPD found my car on the 9400 block of 15th Ave SW and I was able to drive it away.”
Bryan sent that photo Saturday night but we had just missed police by the time we got there, so we pursued followup information today: SPD confirms gunfire on 16th SW near SW Holden around 8 pm Saturday. Multiple calls came in to 911 from people who heard it; one witness reported seeing someone in a vehicle firing a gun “into the air.” No one was hit/injured and no property damage was found, but officers did find shell casings. One area resident told us police were also canvassing the neighborhood to see if anyone had security video of the incident.
Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:
KEYBANK VANDALIZED AGAIN: For the second time in a month, somebody broke the glass at KeyBank in The Junction. We heard the dispatch on this one late last night; witnesses reported it and police responded quickly but on followup today tell us the vandal was not found. No attempt to break in was reported – the rock thrower walked away. One witness who called it in also emailed us and described the vandal as “white, male, 5′ 9″, small/medium build, 40ish, black shirt, tan pants, short haircut, w/ a necklace.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 2019-252988.
BIKE STOLEN AT SCHOOL: A reader sends this report and photo:
On Tuesday, July 9th, at 1:56 pm, a person walked into the Chief Sealth IHS main office and stole a bike. After review of security cameras, the person had been inside the building and watching the office for almost 15 minutes. They walked into the office, grabbed the bike and walked out. If you know who this person is, please call the Sealth main office, 206-252-8550. A police report has been filed.
The bike is a K2 ZED Mountain Bike, black with gold, gel seat.
Followups on two recent West Seattle Crime Watch cases involving burglary suspects arrested with weapons:
PUGET RIDGE SUSPECT CHARGED: Prosecutors have filed two felony charges against 36-year-old Jeremiah N. Fry, arrested Monday morning with a loaded shotgun. They also succeeded in having a judge raise his bail to $225,000, pointing to a 20-year criminal history. Fry is charged with one count of first-degree burglary and one count of unlawful gun possession. The charging documents say “the victim woke up to a nightmare in the form of this defendant standing outside her open window in the darkness of the night. The victim acted quickly, slamming the window shut and then instinctively ran to her daughter’s room to seal off the other access point to the residence. To the victim’s horror, when she went into her sleeping daughter’s bedroom, she became face-to-face with the defendant again as he had moved … to her daughter’s open window.” Police arrested him less than two blocks away and said he dropped the loaded 12-gauge shotgun as they approached. Most of his prior convictions were for property crimes, although as noted in our Monday report, he also has an assault conviction for violence involving his girlfriend and their baby. In that case he got a year-plus sentence under the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative.
BEACH DRIVE SUSPECT OUT: 39-year-old Gabriel C. Putnam, the suspected would-be burglar arrested after being caught on video trying a Beach Drive door with one hand and holding a large knife with the other, is out of jail. As we reported June 19th, he was charged with attempted residential burglary and has no prior criminal record. At his arraignment a week ago, a judge granted the defense motion to release him into the CCAP program, which requires daily check-ins. Documents say he told the court he would be living at a downtown shelter. He’s due back in court next week.
(WSB photo, Tuesday night)
2:08 PM: Last night, we reported on a warrant operation in the 9200 block of 9th SW. Today, Seattle Police announced the results:
Detectives seized 13 pounds of meth and large quantities of heroin and oxycodone on Tuesday following a narcotics operation targeting a south-end drug dealer.
After purchasing narcotics from a 39-year-old South Seattle man over the last month, police arrested the dealer in Georgetown early Tuesday.
(Seattle Police photo)
Investigators searched his vehicle and recovered 334 grams of meth and 76 grams of heroin. They then served a warrant at a West Seattle home, in the 9200 block of 9th Avenue SW, in connection with the case, and seized a duffel bag containing over 13 pounds of methamphetamine, 53 grams of heroin, and 74 oxycodone pills from a trailer in the backyard. Police also arrested a 41-year-old man at the home in connection with the case. Both men were booked into the King County Jail for narcotics violations.
We’re checking now on the suspects’ status.
2:34 PM: Both remain in the King County Jail.
Recent reader reports:
LINCOLN PARK CAR BREAK-IN: Wendy reports this happened Monday morning: “Had my car window passenger side broken into between 7-7:15 am while dropping off my boys at YMCA summer camp – interrupted prowler so notbing was taken, reported to police. Had parked in south parking lot.”
HIT-RUN: From Alison:
My daughter went to Starbucks on Alki and parked our car – 2016 Mazda CR-X 5 Red – on 62nd SW between Stevens and Admiral (about 3018 62nd Ave SW). My car repair person believes a box truck or flat bed truck smashed into the front passenger corner and just kept going. This was major damage not just a scratch.
Any witnesses? Let us know and we’ll connect you.
PACKAGES TAKEN: Juan‘s Ring camera caught this video of someone taking packages from his porch on July 2nd. This happened on SW Holden near Riverview Playfield.
9:33 PM: Thanks for the tips: 9th SW is closed between Barton and Roxbury right now because of a police response. At the scene, SPD would tell us only that they’re attempting to serve a search warrant. As shown in the photo, SWAT team members are involved. At last report, they were asking everyone inside the residence to come out. We’ll be checking back. (In case you wondered, this is not far south of last Saturday’s response.)
9:42 PM: Radio communication indicates police have been able to get into the residence.
A 36-year-old man remains in the King County Jail this afternoon after an arrest on Puget Ridge early this morning. From SPD Blotter:
Southwest Precinct officers responded to a report of an attempted burglary in the Puget Ridge neighborhood early Monday morning. After checking the home, officers located a possible suspect one block away carrying a loaded shotgun.
At approximately 5:00 am, officers were checking the area after responding to the home in the 1800 block of SW Dawson Street for a report of an attempted burglary.
During the area check, an officer located a possible suspect one block away, carrying a shotgun. Police arrested the 36-year-old man, who is a convicted felon and unable to legally possess firearms. Officers booked him into the King County Jail on felony charges of burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm. Detectives will handle the follow-up investigation.
The jail register indicates the suspect spent a month in jail last year on a probation violation related to a 2014 assault case. That case, records show, involved domestic violence against his then-girlfriend and their baby at their residence in southeast West Seattle. Court documents say he also has a lengthy record involving nine other felonies and six misdemeanors.
4:56 PM: Police have blocked 9th SW between Trenton and Henderson as they try to get someone out of a residence there. We don’t know yet exactly what happened that led to the call but police are using a bullhorn to ask that someone come out so they can resolve a no-contact-order violation. avoid the area TFN.
5:28 PN: The suspect has emerged from the residence and is now in custody, per police radio.
5:37 PM: They’re now getting ready to reopen the road.
ADDED: The 60-year-old man taken into custody was booked into the King County Jail.
(June 2018 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says it’s not filing charges “at this time” against 25-year-old Nickolas Osborne, arrested Monday in connection with the June 2018 Alki Avenue stabbing death of 28-year-old Jonathan Pecina. Here’s the KCPAO’s statement:
We appreciate that Seattle Police Department has worked hard on this investigation, taking extraordinary measures to identify the previously unknown participant in this fatal encounter. Since that arrest and over the past several days, this office has made a thorough review of available evidence trying to determine whether the state could disprove a claim of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt, as required by law. At this time we have concluded that we cannot file a charge.
A lengthy memo provided with the statement concludes in part:
In this case, the suspect has a plausible claim of self-defense. Even though Osborne disavows any memory of the incident, the evidence from independent, unconnected witnesses is that he was surrounded, taunted and baited by two men; that the men “kept pushing him and pushing him for a fight”; that the men were both using their belts as weapons; that they were assaulting Osborne with their belts, so much so that a witness commented “the guy is pretty tough because he’s taking some pretty good whacks”; that the assault went on for a while until Osborne “finally took a blow at them”; and that there was no doubt that the two men were the aggressors.
We’ll add the rest of the memo text once the names of witnesses can be redacted.
ADDED 4:27 PM: Below is the text of the KCPAO memo, with witnesses’ names redacted. Be aware that there are some graphic descriptions of the stabbing scene.
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