What could have been a tragedy was recently averted up on Gatewood. Homeowners heard suspicious noises on their back deck around 4 a.m. and discovered an obviously intoxicated young man who couldn't explain why he was there. Telling him to stay put, the couple called 911. It turns out that the impaired 22-year-old lived two blocks away and had become separated from his friends. He was transported home. His mommy promised to keep him from wandering into anyone else's yard.

Around 7 a.m. on the 12th, a passerby noticed a man lying face down, with his head on a pillow, in the alcove doorway of an Alaska Junction business. Not getting a response from the man, he called 911. Medics determined that the fellow—a 29-year-old West Seattle resident—was deceased. The Medical Examiner found no signs of foul play, but test results are pending.

Elders—Beware of a scam in which someone calls to say that your relative has been in an accident and that money needs to be wired before they can be released. One West Seattle gentleman received such a call about his grandson and recognized the con attempt. If you receive such a call, alert the Seattle Police Department on the non-emergency number: 206- and provide as much detail as possible, including the number the call originated from (if you have caller ID).

Two “customers” walked into an Alaska Junction store. One “accidentally” broke a lamp, and while store owners helped with the cleanup, the second would-be customer helped himself to money from the register. He was caught red-handed and returned the money when asked but departed in a hurry. The suspects are two black males, aged 30-49, of medium build. One wore a white vest. The other wore a white baseball cap and a black leather coat.

Currently separated, a West Seattle couple has a child in common. Dad spotted Mom in line for a concert downtown and allegedly began calling her names and saying she was a terrible mother for leaving their child to go out. Afraid, mom left the scene and missed the concert. Dad later showed up at her residence, kicking and banging on the door. Once inside, he prevented Mom from calling 911 and pinned her on the couch, refusing to leave. Officers paid him a visit later that evening and booked him into King County Jail for investigation of assault and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.

Hearing her neighbor screaming for help, a woman called 911. Officers arrived at the Avalon address and found the door barricaded. The victim yelled that they should kick the door down—that she was tied up and couldn't open it. Entering the apartment, officers found the highly intoxicated 62-year-old sitting on the floor with her arm stuck in a recliner chair. The woman claimed that she was chained to the seat, and that the man responsible had fled. There was no sign (nor had there been any sound) of a struggle. Or chains, for that matter. She was transported to the hospital for a checkup.

Burglaries/break-ins/car prowls, by block: 2100 California Ave. SW, 5200 Fauntleroy Way SW, 10200 California Ave. SW (2), 8600 35th SW, 7500 35th SW, 10400 Maplewood Pl. SW, 9200 35th SW, 3600 49th SW, 3000 Avalon Way, 3400 49th SW