Editor’s note: Over the past few weeks a combination of dropping property crime in West Seattle (due to a number of arrests, according to Seattle Police) and some technical issues with the online police report system has limited available reports for West Seattle. So for this week: a look at crime around the city.
Metro bus driver attacked over $1.50
Around 6:30 a.m. on January 19th a North Precinct officer was traveling on 15th Ave N.E. when she witnessed a Metro bus crash into a tree. As she approached to help she heard over dispatch that the driver had been assaulted by a 40-year-old male suspect who was still on the bus. Backup arrived and officers boarded the bus, arresting the man. The Metro driver told police he was in a dispute with the suspect over a $2.50 fare. The suspect only had $1.50, became upset because he was going to be late for work, and punched the driver several times in the face while he was driving. The victim lost control of the bus and collided with a tree in a planting strip. The driver suffered bruising and swelling to his face and a possible broken right leg in the attack. He was taken to the hospital and the suspect was booked for investigation of felony assault.
Landscaper beaten, robbed
On Jan. 13 a man was walking near the intersection of 9th Ave and Spruce St., heading towards a bus stop after a day working in landscaping, when he was approached by three young males. One of the suspects struck the victim in the face with a bottle, breaking it and causing severe lacerations. The suspects then jumped the man, punching him several times before taking $60 and fleeing. Police responded and found a group matching the suspect description. One of those suspects was positively identified by a witness and booked for investigation of robbery.
Hand cart theft leads to umbrella assault
On Jan. 13 police responded to an assault call on Wallingford Ave N. The victim said he came home after a short walk to the post office and saw a middle-aged man walking out of his garage with a hand cart. He asked the man what he was doing and the man muttered he was stealing the hand cart, dropped it and started to walk away. The victim followed the suspect to find out where he was going. The suspect became agitated, spun around and struck the victim on the head with an umbrella. At that point the victim gave up pursuit and called police. Back at the house, the victim noticed the generator was moved. He believed the suspect tried to steal the generator with the hand cart, gave up on that and just went for the cart.
Gunshot victim hitches a ride in Georgetown
In the early morning hours of Jan. 17 two women were driving around Georgetown looking for an afterhours party when they realized they needed gas and started slowing down to stop at a Shell gas station. As the driver slowed on Corson Ave S. a male suddenly appeared at the rear passenger door, pulling on the handle and asking to be let in. She unlocked the doors and the man jumped into the vehicle. “I’ve been shot. Take me to the hospital,” he reportedly said. The women noticed another man walking towards the vehicle and stepped on it, taking the victim to Harborview. The victim suffered two gunshot wounds to his chest and one to his abdomen. He was uncooperative in telling police who shot him. At the time of the report the victim was in surgery.
Burglaries by block: 3600 SW Roxbury St, 5000 Delridge Way SW, 7900 27th Ave SW, 5400 42nd Ave SW, 9200 Fauntleroy Way SW
Car prowls by block: 3000 60th Ave SW, 8000 45th Ave SW, 7500 24th Ave SW, 2600 SW Thistle St, 1600 SW Holden St, 5400 Delridge Way SW
Vehicle thefts by block: 3800 22nd Ave SW, 4200 W Marginal Way SW, 7500 14th Ave SW, 6500 16th Ave SW, 7500 29th Ave SW, 4700 23rd Ave SW
