Political sentiments are running high, even early in the season: a 56-year-old Admiral resident was arrested after he was seen throwing paint onto a home and the presidential campaign sign in its yard. The victim got the suspect's license plate number as he drove away. When officers went to the registered residence of the car, they were greeted by a man who matched the suspect description. It also helped that the man had fresh blue paint on his hands.

A driver pulled out of the Salty's parking lot and drove straight into trouble, T-boning a passing car and pushing it across the center line and into a parked car. This all occurred right under the nose of an officer who was passing by. The driver had no insurance, but he did have a suspended license and two warrants, including one for DUI. He was arrested and booked into King County Jail.

A 17-year-old was booked into the Youth Service Center after he displayed a handgun (later found to be a realistic BB gun) on a Route 54 bus and stole an IPod from a 35-year-old man. When the suspect got off the bus, the victim alerted the driver and they were able to keep an eye on the suspect as he tried to escape through the Junction. The suspect was also carrying cocaine and had an outstanding felony warrant for auto theft.

Currently in the SW Precinct evidence room: a small black safe found in a planting area outside the Morgan Junction Thriftway.

Two 14-year-olds broke into a Delridge mini-mart and ransacked the business, causing $15,000 worth of damage and stealing $15,000 worth of items, including porn, clothing, cartons and boxes of cigarettes, and money. One was booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of burglary and malicious mischief. The other was fingerprinted and released to his grandmother. He will face similar charges.

In South Park, a man punched his stepson in the face and then hit him in the side with a 5-foot-long pipe. The two continued to struggle, until the stepfather grabbed a kitchen knife and held it up to the 15-year-old's face. The boy fled the scene and called 911. Stepdad was booked into King County Jail for investigation of domestic violence assault.

On Delridge, a couple's argument ended with a 2-year-old being hit in the face and the female partner being hit in the head. The suspect was later caught and claimed to have left the residence "Before things got physical." He was arrested for the domestic incident, but it turns out he was also wanted on felony firearms and drug warrants worth over $25,000.

Burglaries by block: 3800 Delridge Way, 3200 Harbor Ave. SW, 500 S. Cloverdale, 6000 16th SW.

For more cops, crooks and capers, visit The Thin Blue Blog, Megan Sheppard's citywide police blotter. www.thinblueblog.com