By Tim Clifford

Brutally violent assault in Delridge restaurant
An especially violent assault was committed against a worker at a restaurant located in the Westwood Village Shopping Center in the early morning hours of May 10. Just after 4:22 a.m. the 23-year-old suspect, described as a white male with a red beard and appearing very intoxicated, entered the restaurant and immediately began a confrontation with a male employee.

Calling the worker a “faggot” and spewing a slew of obscenities the suspect was quickly told to leave. The employee attempted to escort the suspect to the door when suddenly the suspect began punching him. Both men ended up on the ground fighting each other. During the struggle the suspect pulled out a knife and went for the employee’s side.

The victim held tight to the suspect’s arm but the knife still made a small puncture wound on his side. Other witnesses attempted to pull the suspect off the victim. As they were trying to help the suspect managed to head butt and punch the victim as well slice the back of his head with the knife. The suspect ran away once he was pulled off the ground.

Officers arriving to the scene found the knife in the restaurant and took statements from the victim and witnesses. The employee was treated for his injuries at the scene. A k-9 unit was dispatched to begin tracking the suspect.

At 5:03 a.m. a deputy driving along 25 Ave. S.W./ S.W. 100 St. spotted the suspect and arrested him. After being positively identified by the victim the suspect was booked into the King County Jail on Investigation of Assault. During the arrest the suspect waived his Miranda Rights and offered his own statement on the events.

Choke hold
Bike patrol officers were waived down by a man with visible injuries at 2:15 p.m. on May 12 along 10 Ave. S. and S. Donovan St. The two officers could see cuts and swelling on the man’s neck while they spoke with him.
The man told the officers that he was in his yard at his house on S. Donovan St. when the suspect, a man he doesn’t personally know but has seen around the neighborhood, stormed onto his lawn saying “that’s my backpack”. Before the man could respond the suspect grabbed him by his shirt and began punching him in the head. Eventually the suspect worked his way behind the victim as he was on the ground and put him into a chokehold.

The victim believed he was going to die and went limp hoping the suspect would let him go. When he did the victim ran into his backyard and waited until the suspect was gone. The suspect left the yard and did not take backpack he was after with him.

The victim declined going to the hospital and told the officers that he believed the suspect is homeless and lives on the street in South Park. He also told the officers he would absolutely be able to identify him if they arrested him. The officers did an area check for the suspect which turned up negative. The suspect remains on the loose.

Crimes reported between May 1 and May 8

Burglaries by block: 4800 block of Fauntleroy WY S.W., 3500 block of S.W. Raymond St., 8100 block of 41 Ave. S.W., 4500 block of S.W. Director Pl. 8600 block of Delridge WY S.W., 8800 block of 9 Ave. S.W., 8400 block of 12 Ave. S., 1000 block of S. Donovan St., 1200 block of S. Cloverdale St., 9500 block of Myers WY S. (2 reported), 4000 block of S.W. 107 St.

Car prowls by block: 4000 block of S.W. Maryland Pl., 2700 block of Alki Ave. S.W., 2800 block of S.W. Genessee St., 4500 block of Delridge WY S.W., 5600 block of 41 Ave. S.W., 2700 block of Macarthur Ln., 7300 block of 36 Ave. S.W., 8000 block of Fauntleroy WY S.W., 8100 block of 11 Ave. S.W., 8600 block of 9 Ave. S.W., 9000 block of 39 Ave. S.W.

Car thefts by block: 5600 block of California Ave. S.W., S.W. Cambridge St./ 20 Ave. S.W., 1400 block of S. Concord St., 10400 block of 42 Ave. S.W.