By Tim Clifford

Shoplifting escalates to threats and assault
Just before 6:30on Oct.28 police received calls of an assault on a security guard at a store in the Westwood Village Shopping Center on the 2600 block of S.W. Barton St. The suspect was easily spotted by security officers after leaving the dressing room wearing heavy layers of unpaid for merchandise, including underwear. With multiple tags clearly visible and dangling all over his body the suspect’s exit was blocked by the guards.

After being asked to return all of the merchandise the suspect threatened one of the security guards with “don’t make me kill you”. As soon as this threat was lobbed at the guard the suspect began pushing him, at one point pushing the guard into an exit door hard enough to open the door and cause a minor knee injury to the guard. After a short altercation the suspect managed to run away from the store.

Responding officers spotted the suspect (notably by the amount of price tags hanging off of him) a short time later during a canvass of the area. The suspect attempted to elude the officers by ducking into the yard of a house he was passing. The officers arrested the suspect and drove him back to the store to be positively identified by the victim.

The clothing that the suspect was wearing was taken and bagged up as evidence in the case. The clothing that the suspect had worn when he entered the store was also recovered from the dressing room and entered into evidence. The suspect was booked into custody at the King County Jail.

Neighborly dispute
An argument between neighbors over Halloween decorations covering a shared fence escalated to an assault on the 4200 block of S.W. Donovan St. on Oct.24. The suspect in the case installed the fence over eight years ago and ever since the neighbors have been at odds over the property lines of their yards.

Earlier this month the victim had decided to put up decorations on the fence assuming that it was shared property. After heated arguments over the weeks failed to convince the victim to remove the festive decorations the suspect tried convincing him with a letter. Once that also failed the suspect hung up “No Trespassing” signs on the fence facing the victim’s house.

Aggravated at seeing the signs the victim decided to remove them with wire cutters. Even more aggravated at seeing the victim attempting to remove the signs the suspect rushed out his house and grabbed a bucket in the yard. Shouting “Get off my fence” the suspect smacked the victim’s hand with the bucket.

While this stopped the victim from cutting down the signs it also prompted him to call the police.

Though no sign of injury was viewed by responding officers the victim decided to press charges. Police advised both parties to have the property lines resurveyed for clarification. Police also informed the suspect to call 911 before reaching for a bucket next time.

Crimes reported between Oct. 25 and Oct. 31

Burglaries by block: 3200 block of 41 Ave. S.W., 6000 block of 49 Ave. S.W., 4700 block of S.W. Eddy St., 3900 block of S.W. Austin St., 7500 block of 32 Ave. S.W., 4100 block of S.W. Elmgrove St., 8600 block of 25 Ave. S.W., 500 block of S. Monroe St., 1000 block of S. Thistle St., 9000 block of Delridge WY S.W.

Car prowls by block: 1100 block of California Ave. S.W., 1400 block of Palm Ave. S.W., 3200 block of Harbor Ave. S.W., 5000 block of 46 Ave. S.W., 2700 block of S.W. Sylvan Heights Dr., 3900 block of S.W. Southern St., 7900 block of 29 Ave. S.W., 300 block of S. Cloverdale St., 8800 block of 8 Ave. S.W.

Car thefts by block: 2400 block of Alki Ave. S.W., 36 Ave. S.W. / S.W. Dakota St., S.W. Avalon WY / S.W. Genessee St., 4800 block of Fauntleroy WY S.W., 5900 block of High Point Dr. S.W., 1500 block of S.W. Holly St., 7700 block of 14 Ave. S.W., 7900 block of 20 Ave. S.W., 8400 block of 8 Ave. S., 1000 block of S. Cloverdale St., 3500 block of 3500 block of S.W. Ocean View Dr.