West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
4th of July aftermath reports:
GUNFIRE, NOT FIREWORKS: We heard part of this call around 1:30 am but not enough until we could confirm with police. Now we have that confirmation. Near 9th SW & SW Henderson, a report of gunfire led police to discover that “a residence was struck several times” plus shell casings were found (at least 15, according to radio communication we heard at the time) in the intersection. No injuries reported.
FAIRMOUNT PLAYGROUND RESTROOM DAMAGED: Seattle Parks has just confirmed that the damage done to the comfort-station building at Fairmount Playground was the result of fireworks. It’s closed as a result:
(WSB photo, this morning)
Parks says it will put up fencing around the building while the interior damage is repaired.
The building is just a few years old, and cost more than $325,000.
LINCOLN PARK: Toward the south end of the beach, someone blew up a trash can:
That photo came in via text this morning.
BEACH DRIVE FIRE: No structure fires in West Seattle on the 4th or so far today. “Brush fire” is the most common categorization for open-area fireworks fires and this one around 6:30 pm at Beach Drive/Jacobsen Road was the only one:
The tipster who sent the photo said it was a fireworks-sparked fire.
One week ago, burglars broke into the nonprofit West Seattle Tool Library, which is co-housed with Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge. Christina Hahs hopes you will be on the lookout for what was taken:
Someone broke in to the Tool Library’s Shop last Thursday evening, about midnight, and stole the following items. We’ve fixed the door, so hopefully this doesn’t happen again. We’ve also submitted a police report, and are providing security footage to them, but there may not be much they can do.
If you see any of the following items, with West Seattle Tool Library or WSTL written on them, on Craigslist or at any local pawn shops, please let us know so we can claim them. We’d just like to have our stuff back so it can be available for everyone in the community to use.
Makita Cordless Hex Driver Drill
Makita Reciprocating Saw
Makita Combo Cordless Driver and Drill Set
Makita Cordless Impact Driver
Craftsman 165 Piece Mechanics Tool Set
Custom Electronics Repair Kit – A Husky 22″ Black Tool Box containing soldering and wiring supplies
Cen-Tech Function Digital Multimeter
Master Dual Material Screw Driver Set – 20 piece
6-8 different drill and driver bit sets in Dewalt and Milwaukee boxes
Here are images of similar items.
(June 2018 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
11:04 AM: Some asked about an arrest Monday afternoon at the Morgan Junction Starbucks. Seattle Police have just announced that the person they took into custody is a suspect in last year’s murder on Alki Avenue SW near Anchor Park:
Seattle Police have arrested a 25-year-old man for the June 2nd, 2018 homicide on Alki Beach of stabbing victim Jonathan Pecina, age 28. Officers arrested the suspect in West Seattle.
Homicide detectives recently received DNA evidence from the WSP Crime Lab linking the suspect to an item left at the crime scene. This week, detectives coordinated with officers of the Southwest Precinct bicycle unit and the Southwest Precinct Anti-Crime Team in an attempt to locate and apprehend the suspect.
On Monday afternoon July 1st at about 4 pm, the suspect was located by those Southwest Precinct officers at a coffee shop at California Avenue SW and Fauntleroy Way SW. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Detectives interviewed the suspect and then booked him into King County Jail for investigation of murder. This remains an active and on-going investigation.
You’ll recall that SPD announced the DNA breakthrough back in January.
ADDED 1:27 PM: We asked SPD a followup question about how they found the suspect; Det. Mark Jamieson says the suspect “was known to frequent West Seattle. Officer spotted him at the coffee shop and came up with a quick plan to arrest him safely.” He is scheduled to appear before a judge this afternoon, and we’ll add any more information that emerges.
ADDED 4:16 PM: Though the suspect is not yet charged in this case, he has a high-profile West Seattle-related conviction on his record, so we are identifying him: Nickolas J. Osborne In March of last year, he set an SPD car on fire while Southwest Precinct officers were taking him to jail after arresting him for harassing Lincoln Park/Lowman Beach visitors. He pleaded guilty to malicious mischief in that case. Since then, records show, he also has served time for threatening people with a knife at a gym in Redmond – two incidents that happened just days after the West Seattle murder. Probable cause was found this afternoon to hold Osborne in lieu of $500,000 bail. We are reading the newest documents and will add any additional new details.
ADDED 4:54 PM: The probable-cause narrative begins by recounting the night of the murder, including “There were many 911 callers who reported seeing or hearing two Hispanic males and a white male yelling at each other on the inland sidewalk in front of the condominiums. One eyewitness heard the white male yell at the Hispanic male that that he hated people with saggy pants.” The three started fighting and it all ended with Jonathan Pecina being fatally stabbed. The other man with him was interviewed by police days later. He is reported to have told them:
They were confronted by a white male walking in the opposite direction. (The witness) would primarily refer to the man as a “Trump Supporter.” When asked what “Trump Supporter” meant, he claimed this person was racist against “Mexicans”. There was no further explanation of his use of the term “Trump supporter”. (The witness) said that the guy started saying “racial sh-t” including “I hate Mexicans”. Torres said they were going to walk off but “the guy kept saying sh-t”. The guy pulled out a knife. Jonathan took off his belt to use in self-defense. (The witness) said he was not wearing a belt (and) denied ever hitting the suspect. He said it all happened very fast but suddenly Pecina was stabbed.
While DNA from a knife sheath found at the scene did not bring up a match last year, this year it did, to Osborne. And, the probable-cause narrative continues, “Database research has revealed that Nickolas Osborne has been the subject of racially charged violent crimes and incidents before and since the murder of Jonathan Pecina.” They include the two we mention above; in the Lincoln Park/Lowman Beach harassment that preceded the poilce-car-torching arrest, Osborne is reported to have been saying he wanted to kill Mexicans and Black people (using a slur for the latter). In the Redmond case days after the Alki stabbing, police note, Osborne “used a knife to threaten a Hispanic male at a gym while muttering about the Illuminati, FBI, and MS-13.”
The document also says he was involved in two Alki incidents this year, a “disturbance” in March in which he was reported to be yelling racist and misogynist slurs both before and after police took him into custody, and one a little more than a week ago in which he allegedly had been pursuing “a Hispanic man” with a knife and was shot with a BB gun, later telling police “he was shot at by ‘border jumpers’ and ‘f—ing Mexicans’.”
Any of those items look familiar? From Julie: “Found these in a bag behind a bush near 21st and Delridge. Includes keys and fob. Contact at jules654 (at) gmail (dot) com if it’s yours.”
Kit reports a garage break-in at the 206 Apartments (California/College):
Wanted to let you know that someone entered the secure garage at my daughter‘s apartment building and ransacked her car. There was nothing valuable kept in the car but they took her garage door clicker. Police report filed, building management notified. Folks in the neighborhood should keep their cars and homes locked up, though. Prowler at work in the area.
From Andrew:
A pink Kent Terra 2.0 kids’ bike was sitting outside of our house (35th + Charlestown area) for a few days – I brought it in to get it out of the rain. I’d love to get this bike back to its owner if they want it.
It’s been abandoned at least a week – another reader reported a sighting last weekend. If it’s yours, let us know and we’ll connect you (as well as advising Andrew to check with police).
FRIDAY: Reader report just in from Lorrie: “Our black 2009 Pilot was stolen last night, sometime between 1-4 am. License plate 908ZRK. We are in the Seaview area, on Raymond St.. It has tinted windows. No bumper stickers or eye-catching identifying marks to make it more noticeable. It did have a Seahawk license plate frame. Please call the police if you see this abandoned anywhere. Thanks.”
SATURDAY: Lorrie reports it’s been found – in Renton, in bad shape.
Two reader reports so far today:
STOLEN CAR: The photo and report are from Joe: “2018 white Honda CR-V stolen in the vicinity of 37th and Findlay area last night (June 27th) between 10:00-11:00 pm. No distinct markings other than the WSU license plate frame.” Call 911 if you see it.
ANOTHER GATEWOOD CAR PROWL: From Alex, “Somebody broke into the car on the street sometime between 10 pm 6/27 & 7 am 6/28. … Went only for the ‘new’ car on the street with out of state plates (Nevada) – this happened to be a rental car because our car is in the shop due to a West Seattle driver blowing through a stop sign a couple of weeks ago. Police Officer did say there was another incident a block or so away.”
(WSB photo)
10 AM: That’s one of the police vehicles that drew a lot of attention (thanks for the tips!) in Arbor Heights this morning, near SW 98th and 41st SW. The operation was wrapping up when we got there and so far all we know is that it was Renton Police serving a warrant. We’re pursuing more details and will update if we get any.
10:26 AM: The Renton PD media liaison tells us all he knows so far is that it was a drug-related warrant.
Both of these reports came in within the past few hours, both from Gatewood:
BIKE BATTERY STOLEN: The crew at Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) saw someone leap out of this truck, steal the battery off a Lime bike, and take off:
The plate started with C957. No police report # yet.
CAR BREAK-IN: A reader reports a car prowl in the 4300 block of SW Orchard. Preliminary tracking # from SPD online eport: T19002926.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch cases:
BUSINESS BURGLARY: A customer of West Seattle Nursery told us they were burglarized overnight, and we subsequently requested and obtained the police-report narrative. It says the break-in was discovered by an employee arriving early this morning. “Several areas of the nursery had been ransacked,” police wrote in the report, with the burglar(s) gaining entry to the buildings by drilling out/otherwise removing the locks. They left behind a mess, the report says, mentioning “several file cabinets and drawers had been tossed around the offices.” If you have any information for police, the case number is 19-231377.
And two reader reports of vandalized cars:
ADMIRAL: Kevin reports this happened last night:
Frustrated! While eating at Pizzeria 22 (California and College) with the car parked on the street nearby, we got keyed. Deep gouges in front quarter panel. Note on window from a kind witness: “Your car was keyed by blue Subaru YUX—-.” Why do people do this? SPD online report filed….and Mr Subaru— we’re looking for you!
NEAR LINCOLN PARK: Marie reported this last weekend: “The rear window on our SUV that was parked on Faumtleroy near Kenyon was smashed for no apparent reason (besides meanness!) on Sat night or Sunday morning. Car was locked…nothing of value inside…wasn’t even rifled through. Someone just got their jollies by destroying the window (and costing us $ and aggravation).”
One month ago today, Jan’s Beauty Supply in The Junction was burglarized. We didn’t hear about it until a customer mentioned it recently and encouraged them to tell the story, both as a warning and in case it brings in tips. Here’s what we received:
The incident occurred early morning 5/24/2019 between the hours of 3:30 am -5:30 am. (This is an ongoing investigation. Since we are a small business it really hit us hard.)
By use of surveillance cameras we were able to put together that there was a lockbox located in walk-through alcove (if your property management group has one on your building, be aware they can walk right into your building with a key) that was broken into with a rock. They entered the building and kicked in our back door. Proceeded to remove our entire safe.
Overall it was a two-hour process as we feel they knew what they were doing. They left the premises several times to see if a silent alarm was triggered.
Came back and it took them quite a while to remove the entire safe as it weighed over 300 lbs. and was located in an upstairs office which most people don’t even know we have. They used a cart we had in the storage area to wheel the safe out the door. And we ask if anyone who might have heard (because this had to have been very loud going out across the parking lot) to please contact the police if perhaps they saw a vehicle they were loading the entire cart and safe into. The retail portion of the store was untouched. However, with the holiday weekend and having to close bank accounts etc., it really put us behind with business.
We want to say thank you to everyone who was so supportive to us that following week. It took us some time but we are back up and running. We have been here 35 years and never had this happen before. Always a first time. So everyone needs to be aware. A final Thank you to Officer Ross from SPD for being so patient with Maile Hudson as she very slowly pieced together for them step by step what was missing etc. Was disturbing for all of us. All of SPD was great to respond and were so professional. Nice to know they were a phone call away.
If you have any potential tips in the case, refer to incident # 2019-186834.
10:31 AM: Thanks for the tips. West Seattle High School sheltered in place for a while this morning, less than an hour. Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson says it was because of a threat via social media. Seattle Police spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson says police were initially called around 9 am and are investigating. No other details so far.
1:11 PM: WSHS principal Brian Vance sent this message to families:
I know that there have been a few incidents and media attention the past couple of weeks that have prompted communications home. Unfortunately, we had an incident this morning that I want to share information about. We are sending you this letter to update you on the facts and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students.
This morning, it was reported that one of our students created a social media post with threatening content directed toward our school security team.
We quickly determined that the student who allegedly made the post was not in school at the time.
We worked with SPS security and the Seattle Police and decided to put the school in the shelter-in-place protocol. This happened just after first period began.
The student who allegedly made the threat was contacted by police and was taken into custody.
The shelter-in-place was lifted before the end of first period.
I continue to ask for your partnership in reminding students about safe and appropriate use of social media. Social media can take on a life of its own and comments that are perceived as threats or dangerous are taken seriously and investigated. The outcome and consequence of posts and comments can be unpredictable and has the potential to follow students for years.
Thanks to the parents who forwarded the note.
Join your neighbors to talk about crime prevention, safety, and emergency management at Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting, last one before summer hiatus. The agenda includes an update from and Q&A with SPD leaders from the Southwest Precinct, which is where the meeting will happen, 6:30 pm Tuesday (June 25th), 2300 SW Webster. All welcome – Block Watch involvement not required.
2:29 PM: If you’re wondering about the police search in North Delridge, officers are searching after a man reported being robbed while sitting in his car. We haven’t picked up radio communication on exactly where that happened but the robber was reported to have gotten away walking southbound on 26th, and a K-9 team is searching the Delridge Playfield vicinity. The only description we’ve heard for the robber so far is black, male, 17-19 years old, 5’11”, thin build, dark hoodie.
3:14 PM: Still searching.
MONDAY UPDATE: We obtained the report narrative from police. First, the location: It happened in the Delridge Community Center parking lot. The victim told them the robber put a knife to his neck and stole his tablet following what was supposed to be a meetup arranged via Offer Up to buy a speaker. The seller was late. The speaker didn’t work, so the victim refused to buy it. That’s when the seller pulled out a 2.5-inch pocket knife, held it to the victim’s neck, and demanded money. He went through the victim’s pockets, took his phone, then reached into the victim’s car and took the tablet and a speaker, and fled.
Thanks for the tips. We’ve obtained the police report on a street robbery Wednesday night just north of The Junction. The 48-year-old victim told police her purse had been stolen by robbers described as “3 males, 18-21, two black males and one mixed race, one with a gray hoodie,” who got away in a silver sedan. Within minutes, she had already gotten an alert from her bank that one of her cards had been used a a store for tw $400 transactions. She told police she was walking in the alley behind her apartment building near California and Dakota when the first robber walked up and asked her for the time. She replied and tried to keep walking – then the other two approached her, cut her off, grabbed her purse. A struggle ensued and she was dragged a few yards before they ran away with the purse then jumped in the car and drove off. Police went to the store where the cards had been used – to buy $800 in gift cards – and obtained surveillance video; they also found some of the victim’s cards, after a witness in the store told them the three suspects had thrown cards on the ground outside. The police report notes that one of the officers had responded to a shoplifting incident at the 35th/Barton 7-11 earlier that day “and received surveillance footage of similar suspects.”
5:36 PM: A former JV girls-basketball coach at West Seattle High School is charged with “communicating with a minor for immoral purposes” via online messaging. Seattle Public Schools tells WSB the former coach, 28-year-old Michael D. Gutierrez, was fired in February, 10 days after the school learned about the allegations. Here’s what the charging document alleges:
The defendant 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.
The probable-cause document on file says an assistant principal discovered two students, now both 17, having been “inappropriately contacted” via social media. One victim said Gutierrez had been contacting her via Snapchat since 2017, with remarks including saying he wanted to stay in a hotel with her and wanted to have kids with her. Then, she told police, he invited her to come practice at the gym several times last summer, saying other students would be there, but she turned out to be the only one. This past January, she said, he asked her to come into an office for a “grade review” but instead touched her and tried to get her to kiss him.
Here’s the statement we obtained late today from Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson:
When SPS learned of the allegations of inappropriate comments and behavior by an adult hourly coach, we immediately contacted Seattle Police on Feb. 15, 2019.
That same day, SPS released the adult from all coaching responsibilities until the outcome of an internal investigation was completed.
On February 25, 2019 (the Monday after mid-winter break), SPS terminated the individual’s employment. The individual was a part-time coach. The individual was not a teacher, counselor, etc.
Court records show the charge was filed against Gutierrez this past Monday. It was first reported by KIRO TV this afternoon (thanks to the reader who pointed that out via the WSB Community Forum so we could research and confirm). The court documents also say Gutierrez has no criminal record. He is not in custody but the charging documents say that if he does not appear for arraignment, scheduled for July 1st, an arrest warrant will be issued.
ADDED 7:43 PM: WSHS principal Brian Vance has just sent email to families about this, and a parent forwarded it to us. Here’s what he wrote:
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:
STOLEN GREEN ACCORD WAGON: From a reader:
My friend’s 1994 Honda Accord wagon was stolen sometime yesterday evening Wednesday, June 19th between 7pm and early this morning before noon at Alki Beach off 60th Avenue SW. The Honda is dark green with several stickers on it.
Plate is AWA 9854. If you see it, call 911.
CAR PROWLER ON VIDEO: From Jennifer in Fauntlee Hills:
(Tuesday) night multiple cars on our block (Fauntlee Crest SW) were rifled through. At least a couple people had items stolen. Two neighbors recorded footage of the thief. [Editor’s note: Here’s the clearest one:]
A sad reminder to lock your doors each night. We forgot and lost our belongings…a stolen gift card to Mud Bay, Sunglasses, etc. Filing a police report in hopes that someone recognizes him. Wanted to let others in the neighborhood know.
Two days after we reported on an attempted burglary in which the suspect was shown on security video holding a large knife in one hand while trying a door with the other, a charge has just been filed. 39-year-old Gabriel C. Putnam is charged with attempted residential burglary. The charging document clarifies that the break-in attempt happened in the 4800 block of Beach Drive SW (the police report and Twitter log had conflicting block numbers). It also says:
The Defendant attempted to enter the victim’s home through their front shortly after 4:30 in the morning. His actions were caught on the victim’s Ring doorbell camera, footage which also shows the Defendant trying the door handle of the residence, armed with a large kitchen style knife. Upon realizing the home was locked, the Defendant is seen walking away from the house.
According to the Defendant’s PR interview prior to his first appearance. The Defendant came to Washington three weeks ago after saying with his family in Idaho for 6-8 months, and prior to this he had been homeless. The Defendant admitted to not having a fixed or permanent residence – indicating that he attempts to sleep in the Lake Washington area. The Defendant lacks significant ties to the Seattle and greater King County communities. The Defendant has no Washington State convictions, nor does he have any out of state convictions.
The probable-cause document lists his last-known permanent address as in Huntsville, Alabama. That document also recaps that after the residents of the first house called 911, police found Putnam outside a house in the 6000 block of Beach Drive “inside a pool building which appeared to be part of the home.” After arresting him, police asked him where the knife was; he said it was in the pool building, and that’s where they found it. When filing charges today, prosecutors asked that his bail be doubled to $20,000, and the judge agreed.
From Katherine:
My car was stolen out of my driveway in Highland Park last night or early this morning. It is a green Honda CR-V, 1999. License plate is ANV7277. Has Hillary Clinton and Rat City Brass bumper stickers. Please be on the lookout!
If you see it, call 911.
FIRST REPORT, TUESDAY NIGHT: We asked police tonight about the incident that led to this email to West Seattle High School families from principal Brian Vance:
As summer approaches, we continue to focus on instruction, a safe and secure school, and timely communications to families.
I want to share information regarding an incident that affected our school community. We are sending you this letter to update you on the facts and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students, and that all students are safe.
This afternoon, school staff were alerted to a stranger on campus who threatened a student and then left campus. Following district protocols, students immediately reported the incident to security staff and the Seattle Police Department was called. SPD was able to find the suspect off campus and take him into custody.
We are very proud of how our students and families responded to this incident and reported their concerns appropriately. I continue to ask for your partnership in reminding your students about safe and appropriate conduct. If students hear about any potentially inappropriate or dangerous behaviors, please have them contact a staff member immediately. Reporting is a responsibility when someone is hurt, in danger or in an unsafe situation.
Please be assured that the safety and security of our students is a top priority. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We happened to have a team member at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting when we received that letter, forwarded by a parent. So we asked Capt. Pierre Davis about the incident. He said the man was outside the school, verbally harassing students, and at one point tried to get in, claiming he was a student, though he is way past high-school age. He is someone with mental-health problems who is known to police, the captain added. We don’t know the suspect’s status yet, though, as we don’t have the case number and haven’t found an obvious match on the countywide jail register but will follow up further tomorrow.
ADDED 2:16 PM WEDNESDAY: The 30-year-old suspect remains in jail. We just received the report narrative from police, which says the call was dispatched just before 1 pm Tuesday:
I was dispatched to 3000 California AV SW (West Seattle High School) to investigate a man who threatened to shoot a student at the high school. The remarks on the call stated, “10 MIN AGO, UNK MALE WAS TRYING TO GET INTO SCHOOL, TOLD COMPL HE WAS A STUDENT BUT APPEARED LATE 30S, THRET TO SHOOT STUDENT, NO WEAPONS SEEN”
In route to the call, Officer Constantin located ARRESTEE standing near California AV SW / SW Hanford ST. When I arrived on scene, (suspect) was detained by Officer Constantin and myself. I patted down (his) waistline but did not find a weapon. Officer Freese arrived to the high school and began talking to VICTIM/( and the other witnesses. The victim and witnesses were all high school students.
E stated the following: He noticed a male (suspect) walk onto the high school campus through the iron entrance gates. (Suspect) began tugging on the locked gym door. The gym was occupied with students at the time. (He) asked (Suspect) if he was a student. (Suspect) replied that he was student.
…verbally challenged the male again. (Suspect) responded to 2 by stating that he was going to go get his gun, come back and shoot . On a scale from 1-10, 1 being not scared at all and 10 being extremely scared, stated that he was a 3. t did not see a weapon on (Suspect)’s person. was transported from the school to (Suspect)’s location and positively ID (Suspect). provided a sworn statement. Three student witnesses with 2 were transported from the high school to (Suspect)’s location individually. (Witness) provided a sworn statement and positively identified (Suspect). (Witness), provided a sworn statement and positively identified (Suspect). (Witness) positively identified (Suspect). W refused to provide a sworn statement. Sworn statements were uploaded to DEMS.
I observed security footage of the incident. (Suspect) is seen approaching the school at 1245 hours. He enters the property from the parking lot located on the west side of the school. He enters through the west entrance of the school. Immediately after entering the school, (Suspect) is seen standing by the gym doors. Then, (Suspect) appears to be having a verbal altercation with someone out of the frame of the camera. The verbal altercation last less than 2 minutes before (Suspect) is seen walking away from the school at 1249 hours. (Suspect) told Officer Constantin (post-miranda) that he was attempting to get into the school’s gym to play basketball and denied threatening
This is the suspect’s third booking into jail this month, according to the jail-register entry’s log. One was related to a hit-run crash, the other related to a failure to appear for a hearing in that case. The log also shows that he spent six months in jail last year, June through December, related to an assault case in which, according to the court document we just downloaded, he punched a Metro driver in the face downtown.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The suspect’s bail is set at $22,000.
(Seattle Police photo)
Checking on recent cases, we discovered that the man arrested in The Junction with the sawed-off shotgun shown above (as reported last week) is now charged. The charge against 48-year-old Michael J. Mullen was filed just two days after he was released from jail on personal recognizance. He is charged with one count of “unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun.” The charging documents say it was “heavily altered” and “loaded with what appeared to be a live 12-gauge shell” – and had three more rounds taped to its barrel – when Mullen allegedly brandished it at people in the alley behind the west side of the 4700 block of California SW. The documents also say his criminal history consists of two convictions 20 years ago, DUI and disorderly conduct, and that he lives with relatives west of The Junction. A $15,000 arrest warrant was issued at the time the charge was filed.
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: We’ve received multiple inquiries about this case and contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office to find out more. Spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott told us a news release would be out shortly, and here it is:
Francisco Carranza-Ramirez, a 35-year-old male from White Center, was just released from jail on June 13, 2019 on a rape charge from a 2018 incident.
As part of his guilty plea, Carranza-Ramirez was issued a sexual assault protection order that stated he cannot have any contact with the victim or her residence. On June 15th, a few days after his release, Carranza-Ramirez violated the protection order by being within 1000 feet of the same victim. The following day, the suspect assaulted the victim, knocking her out of her wheelchair, strangled her, and threatened to kill her. Deputies arrived on-scene but the suspect fled prior to their arrival. He was not located.
Detectives believe Carranza-Ramirez is still in the White Center area and is homeless. He is also believed to still have long hair like his photo. The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information of where Francisco Carranza-Ramirez is to call 9-1-1.
According to the court documents in the original case, Carranza-Ramirez and the victim were acquaintances in passing, living in the same WC neighborhood, and then he started stalking her, raping her twice last September, both times with her 2-year-old son in the apartment. He was arrested after the second incident and had been in jail since then, almost nine months, until his release on June 13th after pleading guilty.
THURSDAY UPDATE: KCSO says they now believe Carranza-Ramirez is in Mexico.
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