An armed robbery attempt on Delridge Ave s.w. had a flaw in the planning stage. On Nov. 28 around 2:43 a.m., the employee of a bar on the 9400 block of Delridge Ave was cleaning up shop when a Hispanic male (suspect #1), 5’5”, 150 pounds in dark clothing began knocking on the window and pleading to be let in. The employee told him the bar was closed, but went outside (locking the door on his way out) to see what the problem was. The Hispanic male told the employee he had not eaten in a couple of days and “some guy was trying to rape him,” then asked if he could use the bar as refuge from his possible assailant. As the bar employee called 911 on the man’s behalf, another Hispanic male (suspect #2), 5’4”, 160 pounds with short blonde hair approached the men and asked the bar employee “What’s up (redacted)?” The employee told suspect #2 he was calling 911, at which point suspect #1 poked the employee in the jacket with a “large kitchen type knife.” Both suspects then fled northbound on foot on 16th Ave s.w. The police officer who wrote the report summarized the events as follows: “Two Hispanic males were seeking to rob the tavern by using a rape story and it didn’t work after (the bar employee) called 911 and (locked) the door.” The suspects are still outstanding and the knife thrust did not penetrate the bar employee’s jacket.

A 2003 Mazda was car prowled on the 4100 block of Beach Drive s.w. last week. The unknown suspect entered a parking garage, got into the Mazda and instead of aiming for the usual booty of electronics, spare change and CD collections, he/she went for the vehicle manual, vehicle maintenance receipts, vehicle registration and a garage door opener (the building manager changed the garage door code after the theft).

On Nov. 30, officers responded to a commercial alarm on the 4500 block of California Ave s.w. It was raining at the time and as officers approached the building by alley, they saw two fresh wet footprints on the dry pavement leading up to the back door and a third wet print on the door itself, evidence that the perp had tried to kick the door in. There was also evidence that the attempted robber tried to pry the door open. The kicking and prying techniques proved futile and the suspect never gained entry.

Police reports released to the public are always redacted to protect victim and suspect names. Usually it only takes a moment to clarify who’s who without actual names, but the following report dumbfounded this Herald reporter. If you want to take a shot at deciphering the following report, please submit your summary of events to policeblotter@robinsonnews.com and we will include it in next week’s column! The report exactly as written:

“On 12-1-10 I was assigned uniformed patrol, car 2F22. While on patrol I was summoned on-view by Store Security at (blank), 28(blank) SW Barton St. in the city of Seattle. The witness, (blank) advised me there was a person in the store previously arrested for Theft Shoplift and was given the standard criminal trespass admonishments at that time. The suspect, Mr. (blank), also gave his brother's name at the time of his previous arrest, (blank). Since that arrest, (blank) learned that Mr. (blank) gave a false name and in fact (blank) talked to his brother, (blank). Mr. (blank)' true name was obtained, Mr. (blank) admitted to what (blank) knows. Mr. (blank) was taken into custody and subsequently released. (blank) Store Security will correct the original Theft report.”

Burglaries/break-ins/car prowls by block: 7900 7th Ave s.w., 4500 California Ave s.w., 4100 Beach Dr s.w., 8800 20th Ave s.w., 2800 s.w. Barton St, 1200 s.w. Holden St, 7900 20th Ave s.w., 3000 s.w. Thistle St, 6000 45th Ave s.w., 1600 Edgewood Ave s.w., 6700 14th Ave s.w., 2100 44th Ave s.w., 5600 26th Ave s.w., 5600 23rd Ave s.w., 9400 Delridge Way s.w., 9400 17th Ave s.w., 4500 41st Ave s.w., 3200 s.w. Juneau St, 2500 s.w. Trenton St

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.