Officers responded to a home on 26th SW where a stranger had come to the door, demanded money, and then disappeared around the corner toward the backyard. They checked the residence and found the man hiding in the basement. An ID check showed that he was wanted on $67,000 worth of felony and misdemeanor warrants for theft, drug charges, and driving with a suspended license. The suspect, a 46-year-old Youngstown resident, was booked into King County Jail.

A citizen brought a lost and confused elderly woman to the SW Precinct on Tuesday afternoon. Officers were unable to establish her identity through questioning or through checks on missing persons. She asked to use the restroom and proceeded to take off her clothes "for a shower," though no shower is in the restroom area. She then placed gel soap in her hands and headed for the exit without rinsing it off. A female officer assisted in rinsing her hands and covering her in a blanket for transport by ambulance to the hospital. At 7:30, the woman's niece reported her missing, and the woman?s identity was confirmed.

In the 5600 block of California Ave. SW, someone entered a business through an alley door and stole a purse from the office.

After answering a Craigslist ad to become a "mystery shopper," a woman was nearly roped into a forged check scheme. The "business" sent her a check, asked her to deposit it, wire the funds elsewhere and keep $350 for her trouble. But luckily she learned that the business check was forged before she dipped into her own account to send the money.

An 82-year-old woman needed officer assistance in leaving her home after her intoxicated husband became physically abusive. The victim's daughter and son-in-law were also pushed around by the suspect and wanted officers to be present as they escorted mom from the home. The victim says that the suspect's behavior is typical and that he rarely remembers any of his behaviors once he is sober. The three victims left the residence, and the suspect was told to stay in the house and not contact the victims that evening.

A couple got into an argument about the man's alleged substance abuse. When the woman shouted for help, her father entered the room. Boyfriend allegedly pulled a knife and caused superficial cuts on dad?s neck shoulder and back. Dad, meanwhile, managed to break boyfriend?s nose and teeth. Officers found broken window glass shattered around the basement floor. Boyfriend was taken to Harborview for treatment and then booked into King County Jail for investigation of assault, property damage, and domestic violence.

After he was told to quit playing video games and fold some laundry, a 14-year-old shoved his mom to the floor, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her around the room. He was booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of domestic violence assault.

In the latest of a series of possible rival gang-related attacks, a man kicked in the door at his ex-girlfriend?s apartment, and he and some friends entered and allegedly kicked the woman and her 1-year-old in the head. The attack was videotaped by a man who entered with the suspects. Mom and daughter were treated for bruised heads, scratches and swelling.

At the Admiral Safeway, a woman was stopped from leaving the premises with $505 worth of groceries stuffed into a shopping cart. She apparently thought they were invisible under the pile of shopping bags she had artfully arranged on top of them.

America's national "Night Out Against Crime" is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th. Get to know your neighbors?and even have your street blocked off for the celebration if you register before August 2nd. Contact Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow at the SW Precinct: 206-684-7724.

On August 16th, head on down to the SW Precinct for the Annual Precinct Picnic, from 1-4 p.m. Dancing, music, food, raffles, magic, and more. Get to know your officers, meet some of the SWAT team, and take a precinct tour.

Ready for more crooks, capers, and cops? Visit The Thin Blue Blog, Megan Sheppard?s citywide police blotter. www.thinblueblog.com