Freedom of information in America is a right afforded to all, yet used by few. For those involved in reporting news, it is a tool as common as the pencil – a crucial cog in the steps toward an accurate story. Those who just read the news have busy lives and probably don’t see diving into court documents and police reports as an ideal way to spend their downtime. However, the Internet makes getting at crimes or cases that interest you relatively easy. Here are a few links to check out:

My Neighborhood Map, provided by the City of Seattle, has easy-to-read crime icons over a map of Seattle. You can set dates and types of crime for a customized map. In order to read the police reports linked to a crime, you will need to set up an account, which only takes a minute.
http://web5.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx

SPD Blotter is a blog of Seattle Police Department news and events that is normally updated several times a day.
http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/

Daily Docket, published by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is a bulletin of significant court cases in King County and generally focuses on the prosecution of violent criminals and serial offenders.
http://www.kingcounty.gov/prosecutor.aspx

And now, a few reports for the blotter. In more serious crime news, check the latest on the Thomas J. Qualls shooting here.

A Nintendo Wii, 15 video games and a Tony Hawk skateboard designed for the Wii were stolen from the home of a couple living on s.w. Graham. They had been out of town at a wedding reception and their two “semi aggressive, medium sized dogs” were left on guard. The Wii, before its unfortunate relocation, was attached to large flat screen TV that was left untouched in the burglary (apparently size considerations were made). The victims told police the thief was probably someone they know, otherwise the dogs would have gotten involved and there would have been signs of forced entry (there was only an unlocked front sliding window). They gave officers a list of people who knew they were out of town, but pinpointed no suspect.

In what could be described as a wicked case of the munchies, a shoplifter entered an area gas station on Tuesday and grabbed three boxes of Twizzlers, two boxes of Good & Plenty candy and a couple bags of Ruffles (it’s the ridges, they drive some to crime) with no intention of paying. This was all done in plain sight of the employee on duty who approached the thief, but got kicked (hands were kind of full at the moment), so he let the suspect go. The employee was not injured and left officers with a description of the suspect.

This assault report comes from a downtown Seattle cell phone store, but deserves mention. Shortly before noon on Wednesday a customer with a broken cell phone came in and requested that it be replaced or repaired immediately. The customer service rep explained that it’s not that easy (it rarely is with cell phone companies), so the suspect threw his phone at him (and missed). The employee politely handed the phone back to the suspect, explained the repair procedure again and then dodged the airborne phone once again. The suspect yelled, “Cancel my account” and stormed towards the exit. He grabbed his bicycle that was parked inside, swung the doors open and attempted to complete the storm. Unfortunately, the doors swung back too soon and one of his pedals got stuck. Already committed to leaving with haste, the suspect began yanking on his bike and yelling. He freed his bike and took the door off its hinges in the process. The employee refused to give police the suspect’s name or access to security tapes, stating it was corporate policy not to do so.

Burglaries/break-ins/car prowls by block: 3200/1200 Harbor SW, 4300 SW Admiral Way, 2700 Belvidere SW, 1900 SW Charlestown, 4200 W Marginal Way SW, 3000 SW Orleans, 3800/5900 49th SW, 9000/4000 35th SW, 4700 41st SW, 4700/9400 26th SW, 5400 Delridge Way, 1700 SW Graham, 1200 SW Holden, 7500 30th SW, 3000 SW Elmgrove, 1400 SW Trenton

The success of this column is largely based on feedback, tips and suggestions from you, the reader, so please contact Ty Swenson anytime at policeblotter@robinsonnews.com.