SPD Blotter reports that a 23 year-old suspect was taken into custody yesterday after a witness found him trying to break into a car on Stone Way, near N. 45th St.
It was around 7:15 a.m. (on Tuesday, December 18) when the witness noticed a person trying to break into a car, according to the Blotter. When the suspect couldn’t get the door open, “he pulled a handgun out of his pocket and used it to try and smash the car’s window. The witness flashed his headlights at the suspect, and the suspect took off running down N. 43rd Street.”
The witness called 911 and began to follow the suspect. Police arrested the suspect near Woodland Park Avenue N. and N. 45th Street when they spotted him “trying to break into another car.” They found the handgun nearby and later discovered it was reported stolen. What’s more, the suspect is a convicted felon “who’s not supposed to have access to firearms–also wanted for a felony domestic violence warrant,” according to the Blotter, which also notes that “Officers booked the suspect into the King County Jail for unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of stolen property, and the felony warrant.”
Wow… That’s really close to where I live. Glad this guy was busted.
Bravo to the witness!
very close to me also, 1-2 blocks.. odd, I was driving from my apt about 710 am and saw nothing suspicious it was still a bit dark
Flashing headlights at and chasing someone who has a gun is not very smart.
Thanks to the citizen that followed up on this event! Way to go! An actual arrest of a car prowler, something that rarely occurs. Awesome!
I am a block off 45th & stone and would have been walking to the bus right by where this is reported at that time. didn’t notice a thing. Guess I should snap out of my morning commute stupor from now on!
Lately it seems like i’ve heard lots of car alarms going off in the evening/night. Makes me wish I had off street parking.
Excellent! Excellent!
A big THANK YOU to the alert witness and to the SPD for their prompt response!
@eM – did you live on Kitty Genovese’s street?
Good work to whoever reported this and took action. Thanks.
I’ll volunteer to hold him down with his mouth on the curb if someone else wants to stomp on the back of his head.
@ BD, low and unnecessary blow
The person could simply have called the police with the info and location and the police may have been able to catch him in the act the first time. Flashing him and having him take off running wasn’t just dangerous, but it alerted him that he had been discovered.
@Michele – I disagree. Whoever did this stopped a crime from being committed. I hope someone does the same for me, I certainly would do the same for them.
One thing I have noticed since coming to Seattle is that people dont look out for each other like they do in other parts of the country where I have lived. I find that people won’t even look you in the eye and say hello much here unless you know them well. So critizing a neighbor who looks out for another neighbor just perpetuates this problem.
@BD calling the cops every time one hears a car alarm going off somewhere in the neighborhood seems a bit excessive. While I can’t say I’d make myself known to someone breaking into a car w/a gun, I would definitely report it and am glad this guy was caught.