On Friday (March 12), we received the following email from BTB Reader Jessica, who was concerned about what she thought was a S.W.A.T. team busting down the door of a Burien house on SW 143rd:
On my way home today at approximately 4:30 I saw about 12 swat team members marching up SW 143rd st. from 4th Ave.
With guns drawn and a battering ram they broke down the front door at XXX SW 143rd Street (ED. NOTE: address removed).
I snapped a photo from my phone and you can vaguely make out the swat team entering the house (see photo below).
As a resident of the neighborhood I am hoping you can find the reason behind this type of police work.
Thank you,
Jessica
Here’s Jessica’s cell phone pic – it’s hard to see clearly, but it appears that something’s going on at the front door:
We contacted Sgt. John Urquhart, Public Information Office of the King County Sheriff’s Department, who sent us this reply:
Not the SWAT team.
One of our neighborhood narcotics units.
The search warrant was for drugs and some cocaine was found.
The resident, age 43, was booked on felony drug charges.
That’s about it.
So, there ya go – it was just another major drug bust, not the S.W.A.T. team.
Just another day in Burien, huh?
Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer
Tuesday afternoon (Mar. 2nd) around 2pm, a potential domestic disturbance 9-1-1 call in Burien turned into the shooting death of a Pit Bull at an apartment near the intersection of 4th Ave SW and SW 155th.
According to a King County Sheriff’s officer on the scene, the Pit Bull escaped from its apartment when its owner, who was unrelated to the original disturbance call, heard some commotion. The dog then allegedly “charged” a cop, who shot it in self-defense. The officer (or possibly another officer) then had to “euthanize” the injured dog by shooting it again, possibly numerous times, according to witness accounts.
The dog’s body was covered in a yellow tarp when we arrived, as Animal Control officers and police continued to investigate the scene.
A neighbor who witnessed the attack told us that he felt the Pit Bull had endangered and scared other residents and children before.
UPDATE 3/3/10 Noon: We just received a response from Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer, who said:
There is an ongoing investigation of this case so I will need to be somewhat brief in my response.
I can tell you the officer was not bitten.
Dog attacks happen occasionally and like any life/safety issue, the Officers are trained to respond to the level of danger using necessary force.
Some of the other questions may be answered in the course of the investigation.
- Chief K
Here are photos we took on the scene shortly after it happened (WARNING: one pic includes visible dog blood):
The deceased Pit Bull's body lies under a yellow tarp.
At least four Burien Police cars and two Animal Control units were on the scene.
Blood from the shot Pit Bull was still visible in the apartment driveway.
As if wondering what had happened, this dog stuck its head out the window of a car as it passed the scene.
The email transcription below was originally posted to the Three Tree Point Yahoo Group, which has seen a recent increase in residents airing concerns about possible suspicious characters in the neighborhood.
According to this specific report, a “suspect” male knocked on the glass door of a home at 5am and asked for help, as if he were stranded. The male member of the household, speaking through the locked door, asked the man to leave his property, yet the suspect didn’t. After switching his story and asking for a cigarette, the male resident displayed a handgun and requested again that the suspect leave, which he finally did.
Later the suspect was seen trying to flag cars down up the road, and that’s when the resident called police, who came to the scene, then found and questioned the suspect. Here’s the exact email thread (names and addresses have been removed):
The messages below were forwarded from our block watch captains:
From: “Galusha, Roy”
Date: February 26, 2010 7:05:13 AM PST
Subject: RE: BLOCKWATCH ALERT!!! Early morning knockerThank you for sending this on to me … It appears that several calls came in on this individual. Someone did flag down Officer Hennesy. Officers Skaar and Fitchett also responded. They made contact with the individual at SW 160 and 15 SW. I heard the detail on my way into work this morning when they were running his name. I did not talk with them, so I don’t know what story he told them. The individual lives in the South end of Des Moines. He had an Obstructing warrant out of Olympia; however, it was non-extraditable (meaning they won’t take him from King County). He was ultimately released because we had no crime or warrant that we could hold him for.
I would like to say that M did an outstanding job of paying attention to detail and forwarding that information on. Her husband did the right thing of confronting the individual from inside the house and refusing to open the door for him. He also let the individual know that he was armed. It is real common if someone is trying to get in or trying to keep you distracted, that if you come up with an answer to one question, to throw another line at you; i.e. if you don’t fall for the fact that he broke down, can you give me some cigarettes. If he needed a ride to work, why didn’t his friend he was visiting give him a ride?
This could have been a legitimate case of the person trying to get a ride to work, to him trying to get into the house to rob them. I don’t know, we probably never know, but the important thing is that the family and neighborhood is safe. We used to have a saying when I was working in the Air Force Security Forces career field.
“Today I prevented 10,000 terrorists from gaining access to the base and blowing up my planes by being ever vigilant and providing a level of force protection.”
If anyone asked how I could prove it, my answer was “Can you disprove it?”
This is the same situation, we can’t prove that he was trying to break in, but you can’t disprove that he wasn’t planning to.
Great job.
Officer Roy Galusha
============
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 6:42 AM
To: Subject: BLOCKWATCH ALERT!!! Early morning knocker THANK YOU! M, for reporting this.Begin forwarded message:
Subject: Early morning knocker
This morning at 5 am we had a man knock very loudly on our front door. Our door is completely glass, so my husband was able to see him very clearly and speak to him through it without opening it. The man was African American with a shaved head, approximately 5 ‘ 10″, between the ages of 28 and 32, wearing khaki colored Carhardt-type work jacket and pants. He said he’d been stranded and needed a ride, though my husband noticed he was completely dry and it was raining outside. My husband then told him it was very early and he needed to get off of our property, the man then said he smoked and wondered if we had any smokes? My husband again asked him to leave our property. The man hesitated and then insisted that he was stranded. My husband then showed him a handgun he had grabbed on the way to the door and told him we carry weapons in the neighborhood so you need to be careful and once again firmly asked him to get off our property.
Upon leaving our driveway a Ford 250 type truck drove by and stopped, they appeared to talk though he could have just flagged him down. We then called the non-emergency police number to report the incident, the police responder said she’d received several calls from this area regarding multiple people, she described a “dirty white man and a Hispanic.” After making the report, my husband drove up the street to see what the status was. He saw the same man up the road near 160th frantically trying to flag people down in their cars. My husband then drove back home seeing a police officer on the way. He stopped and directed the officer back to the man to investigate. We believe this man was possibly with a group of men looking to rob homes and somehow got left behind or the ride was scared off. We do not question this man was potentially armed and looking to obtain a vehicle. Either way, he was quite aggressive and insistent in asking us to let him into our home, by repeatedly asking for a ride and then for a cigarette.
This is a good example of what a stranger will do to gain entry, and why you should never open your door. Thanks to everyone for communicating about your respective incidences and if anyone else had a similar experience this morning please notify the group – this block watch really helps us all to be prepared in events such as this.
Best- XX
============
Date: February 26, 2010 6:35:59 AM PST
Subject: Suspicious person on 25th Ave SW this morningWhile on my way to work at 5am this morning, I called 911 to report a suspicious person coming up out of the driveway at 25th SW.
He was a black male, I believe in his 30’s, with a shaved head, and wearing a yellow rain coat. He approached my truck, told me he was visiting a friend, and that his vehicle broke down, and needed a ride to the Burien Park & Ride so he could get to work.
When I told him no, he then asked me for money for a cab. I called 911 immediately.
We highly recommend that our Readers join a local “neighborhood email group” where residents can subscribe and get updates by email (ie: suspicious characters, crime reports, garage sales, missing pets, city issues, etc.), which we see happening down at Three Tree Point.
Here are two good resources where you can search for one near you, or create your own:
The Des Moines Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man who was photographed by security cameras (see pics below) during a Redondo bank robbery on Saturday, Feb. 13th.
The bank robbery took place around 4pm last Saturday at the Wells Fargo Bank inside the Safeway store at the Redondo Square shopping complex, located at South 272nd and Pacific Highway South.
According to police, the suspect told the bank teller he had a gun and demanded money.
No weapon was seen and no one was injured during the robbery.
The suspect was last seen leaving the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspect is described as:
- Black male with a very light skin complexion
- About 6′2″ tall
- Thin build
- In his 20s
- Dark colored “beanie hat”
- Dark (or black) hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants
- Silver-rimmed sunglasses
Here are two security cam pics – recognize this guy? Anyone with information about this case should call the Des Moines Police immediately at 206-878-3301 or dial 911:
| Mar |
| 11 |
| 6:00 pm |
Together with the King County Sheriff’s Office, Burien and SeaTac Police are continuing their twice-yearly “Citizen’s Police Academy” program with an orientation on Thursday, March 11th, and classes on Wednesday nights from 6pm-9pm.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Citizen’s Police Academy Training
WHEN: Starts Thursday, March 11th and continues through April 24th. Classes are held on Wednesday nights from 6pm to 9pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.
Classes will run for 13 weeks, plus a graduation ceremony including a certificate of completion and pictures with police staff. A light meal will be provided for students. There are presentations by many of the Sheriff’s Office Units and several opportunities for hands-on experiences, plus a field trip to the King County Communications Center.
The training sessions are held twice a year in the spring and fall. The sessions require approximately 20 hours to complete. There is a minimal fee for tools supplied to students, enabling them to build their own emergency response kit.
WHERE: Initial meeting is at the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Station, which is located at 15100 8th Ave SW in Burien; subsequent classes will be at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.
COST: FREE!
INFO: From a press release:
Graduates of the Citizen’s Police Academy will have a better understanding of the law enforcement role in the criminal justice system and an appreciation for the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s complex society. They will also be better able to assist offices in improving their neighborhoods and communities.
The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations or workplaces in basic preparation and response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.
SeaTac and Burien Fire and Police Departments partner in offering this eight-week training held on weekday evenings, with a Practical Fianl Exercise held on a Saturday. Sessions require approximately 20 ours to complete. There is a minimal fee for tools supplied to students, enabling them to build their own emergency response kit.
Training is designed to cover the following:
- Disaster Preparedness
- Fire Safety
- Disaster Medical Operations (Triage, Treating Life Threatening Injuries, and Assessment, Treatment and Hygiene.)
- Light Search and Rescue
- Team Organization
- Disaster Psychology
- Terrorism
Graduates will also be eligible for the Ride-Along program, in which you can spend up to an entire shift riding with an officer.
This course is an unforgettable experience and it’s completely free for anyone who lives or works in the cities of SeaTac or Burien!
There are two sessions each year and they fill up fast, so register early with your local Community Service Officer.
If you are interested in attending the next session and would like an application sent to you by mail, please contact CSO Mechee Burnett at mechee.burnett@kingcounty.gov or 206.973.4917 (you can also download a PDF application here).
- SEATAC: If you are from the SeaTac area, please contact: CSO Eloise Kruger: 206-973-4915 or ekruger@ci.seatac.wa.us
- BURIEN: If you are from the Burien area, please contact: CSO Nicki Maraulja: 206-296-3333 or nicki.maraulja@kingcounty.gov
A hit-and-run rampage happened Monday night around 7:45pm in White Center when a van struck at least four different vehicles before fleeing to Burien.
The crime occurred at the intersection of 4th Ave SW and SW Roxbury before the driver drove off and later abandoned his van in Burien.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department:
There was a H & R accident at 4th & Roxbury last night about 7:45 PM.
The driver of the other car was taken to Harborview with non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect vehicle took off striking a car, (causing considerable damage) at Olson & Myers Way, then continuing southbound.
My understanding is that other cars were hit as well as it drove on.
The suspect car finally pulled into a random driveway at SW 130th and 8th Ave South.
The driver and two passengers fled on foot and could not be located, even with a K-9 dog.
The suspect vehicle was a 2000 Toyota Siena.
The hit and run driver is still at large, and the reasoning for the crime is still undetermined.
UPDATE Thursday 2/4/10: We just received word from Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department that the driver of the smashed-up Kia (pictured, left) involved in Wednesday’s 3-car crash at the intersection of First Ave South and SW 112th has died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
He was a 49 year-old Burien man, and his identity has not yet been released by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Click here to read our previous coverage, including photos shot at the scene.
A major three-car, high speed accident closed the intersection of First Ave South and SW 112th early Wednesday morning (Feb. 3rd).
According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, the accident occurred around 6:45am when two cars (a Kia and a white Toyota pickup truck) were stopped at a red light in front of The Barrel Tavern.
Soon, a red Chevrolet pickup barreled into both of them, nearly destroying the small Kia (see photo slideshow below). The Chevy truck ended up over an embankment in a neighboring house’s backyard.
The driver of the Kia was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. It appeared that the airbags in the Kia had deployed, and scattered amongst the crash debris was a hat and an iron.
The other two drivers and a passenger from the Kia were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, or for observation.
Scott Schaefer was on scene around 8:45am to take these photos, as Investigators worked amidst the strewn crash debris at the closed intersection:
Here’s a video report from KING5.com:
B-Town Blogger Diana Arney’s Burien house was burglarized on Monday (Feb. 1st), sometime between 9am and 1pm. Diana lives near Puget Sound Park, and the burglar forced their way into her home via a side door.
We’re posting this story in hopes that it can help alert our Readers to be better prepared for these kinds of crimes, which seem to be on the upswing in this down economy.
Here’s how Diana describes her experience:
Just wanted to give you a heads up about a burglary that occurred at my home this afternoon. The incident occurred sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the block of SW 126th St. and 2nd Pl. SW, very close to Puget Sound Park. The suspect(s) forcefully entered my home via the side door, splintering the door and frame. They locked my dog in a room of the house and stole an LG 42″ LCD TV, a new Compaq laptop computer and an Xbox 360 with games.
A witness stated that they saw a black, Volkswagen sedan suspiciously driving in front of the house between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. I called the Sheriff’s office and a deputy came out to the house to write up the report. While the deputy was at the house I heard another call from her radio stating that there had been another house burglary in the area, and two teenagers were the primary suspects.
I was told by the sheriff’s deputy that these burglaries are common in the area, especially in the early afternoon when kids get out of school and many people are still at work. One additional note: while the sheriff deputy was quite helpful and thorough, it took her two hours to respond. I understand it wasn’t an emergency, but I’m curious how the response time will be affected once Burien annexes the area.
We had to screw down the side door for the night. We believe the suspects opened the gate in our driveway that leads to the backyard (and side door). I believe then they must have backed their car up in the driveway to the side of my house, and loaded up their car with my stuff. In the last picture, it shows a foot stool in our family room (where the TV was) that is normally located outside near the side door. We have no idea what the burglars were thinking, placing the stool there. The only thing above the stool are the ceiling fans.
Not sure if this is “post-worthy” or not, but it might be a good heads-up for people in the area to read about and be aware of.
Thanks!
Diana Arney
Here are photos taken at the scene of the crime:
The side door to Diana's house was kicked in.
...breaking the deadbolt and damaging the wooden door frame.
Note the boot print in the wood just above the dead bolt.
A 42" LG HDTV once sat here.
And here are some crime prevention tips courtesy the Normandy Park Police Department:
Most burglaries occur on Monday through Friday in the daytime.
The crooks are depending on everyone being at work or school.
Many burglars have confessed upon arrest and reported they knocked on the front door or rang the bell to make sure no one was home. If someone answers the door they tell them they are lost or looking for their lost dog or some other such excuse.
Surprisingly citizens rarely doubt the burglar’s reason for being on their front porch and do not call the police. If a stranger knocks on your front door you do not have to open your door. You should make sure they know you are home and telling them to leave your property from behind a solid door is a great option. Then call us.
Most car prowls occur in hours of darkness where the thief depends on the cover of darkness to hide his criminal behavior. Often our follow up investigations reveal the thieves broke into an unlocked car. There were cars close by that were locked and untouched.
- Lock your doors. It is a simple way to prevent so much crime.
- Install motions lights. They are now very reasonably priced and easy to install. The crooks do not wish to be illuminated during the commission of their crime.
- Alarm systems, dead bolts, motion detector light systems, dogs, peep holes and other such simple crime prevention tools work very well.
- Do not advertise your new purchases or Christmas gifts. A cardboard box from a new 50 inch TV sitting next to the cardboard recycle bin lets everyone driving by know exactly what is in your house.
Never leave your purse or wallet on a counter top or table top that can be seen from the front door. Likewise never leave a purse or wallet on a car seat even if you are “just going to be away one minute.” That is when the opportunistic thief takes your wallet, credit cards and cash.
The family of deceased Burien man Mark Ebinger (pictured, left), 25, who was stabbed to death outside Good Time Ernie’s last November, has increased the reward offered to $10,000 in hopes of generating tips that will lead to an arrest.
Mark and his brother Peter, 24, were attacked outside the Burien bar on the morning of November 12, 2009. Mark died from stab wounds at the scene. Peter was stabbed numerous times, but survived.
Detectives believe there were several witnesses to the attack, and these witnesses might have information that could solve the case.
The homicide occurred outside Good Time Ernie’s Pub, located at 15747 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.
As we reported on Dec. 28, 2009 when we attended the family’s first press conference at the King County Sheriff’s office:
Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”
“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.
The Ebinger Family at the Dec. 28th press conference.
Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.
Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”
Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”
Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.
Mark Ebinger's brother Peter was also stabbed, but survived.
“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”
Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.
Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”
The investigation is still ongoing.
“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”
Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”
On our original Nov. 12th report, there are now 105 Comments, which make for some very interesting reading – see it here – many comments are in scolding tones to those who were there that night but have refused to come forward to identify the suspect(s). Perhaps this higher reward will change that?
Crimestoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the case.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours), or 9-1-1.
This week marks the fourth anniversary of the death of Nicole Pietz, who was last seen at her Lynnwood home by her husband on January 27, 2006.
The body of Pietz, 32, was found strangled Feb. 6, 2006, in a wooded area near South 114th and Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien (see map below).
Her car, a 2003 Jetta was found in the University District about two weeks later.
After four years, this case remains unsolved, according to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department.
The reward for information on the case that leads to an arrest or conviction is at $36,000. In addition, Gail Schneider, Nicole’s mother, has said the family will pay the legal costs for anyone who comes forward with information germane to the case, but wishes to use the services of an attorney.
The case is active and still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
Here are some photos provided by the family of Nicole:
Pietz’ body was found in Burien in a wooded area near South 114th and Des Moines Memorial Drive:
View Larger Map
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hrs).
The King County Sheriff’s Department reports that a 22-year old Burien man was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday morning (Jan. 26th) around 1am while walking near Chelsea Park when two men approached him, brandished a gun to his chest and stole his cell phone.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart, both suspects then ran away, but were chased by the victim. When they saw this the suspects popped off a few shots at him, which generated several “shots fired” calls to 911.
The victim didn’t give up though – police say that he caught up with the two men in Chelsea Park (at SW 136th and 8th Ave SW) and starting fighting with the unarmed one. But the one with the gun pistol-whipped the victim on the back of the head. The fight ended when both fighters got tired and the two suspects “ran’ off again.
One deputy looking for the ‘shots fired” call found the victim staggering down the street with head lacerations. A K-9 unit tracked one of the suspects to the park nearby, and also found the gun that was used hidden under a garbage can along with the stolen cell phone.
The victim, a Burien man, was treated and released.
The captured suspect, a Seattle man, age 19, was taken to the hospital and stitched up before being booked in jail for investigation of Robbery.
The second suspect was not located.
One man was arrested when a marijuana “grow house” operation was busted in the Top Hat neighborhood Friday morning, Jan. 22nd by Bellevue Police, working with the King County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team.
“This was a joint mission with the Eastside Narcotics Task Force (ENTF) and SWAT on a search warrant for a grow house in Burien,” said Officer Carla Iafrate, Bellevue Police Public Information Officer. ”A couple flash bangs were used for distraction when breaching the doorway. One adult male was arrested.”
The ENTF is a partnership of the King County Sheriff’s Office and police departments from Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Mercer Island.
Bellevue P.D. was apparently involved because it was serving the search warrant, according to Sgt. John Urquhart of the Sheriff’s Department.
No other details of the operation are available at this time.
Early Saturday morning (Jan. 23rd) a Metro bus driver, 56, was assaulted in Tukwila, receiving injuries that sent her to Valley Medical Center. Three persons were later arrested, one for the assault and two for vandalizing the bus.
And as police were converging on the scene, a King County Sheriff’s police cruiser crashed into one from a Tukwila Police officer. The Tukwila officer was treated at the scene, while the Sheriff’s deputy was taken to Valley Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
The incident occurred just after midnight, when the Metro Route 124 bus stopped in Tukwila at South 144th and International Blvd. to let passengers off. A group of seven or eight youths gathered at the back door but only two got off before the doors closed. At least some of the group went to the front of the bus and the driver was punched in the head several times, knocking her unconscious.
Meanwhile two suspects kicked and hit the rear door of the vehicle, breaking glass and bending the door frame. All suspects then ran off.
A Tukwila Police K-9 dog tracked the group to a house in the 13700 block of 45th Ave South. Eight people were detained. Eventually witnesses from the bus identified three people who were directly involved in the altercation. They were arrested.
All three were booked into the Youth Center, including a 15 year-old boy from Renton, for felony assault. Two males were booked for felony vandalism, ages 16 and 17, from Tukwila and Kent, respectively.
A passenger called 9-1-1 from the bus after the assault, and as two police cars came to the scene, they crashed into each other.
The King County Sheriff’s Department announced Tuesday (Jan. 19th) that they have arrested two men they allege had committed numerous “takeover” robberies, including the Jan. 13th one of the Silver Dollar Casino in SeaTac.
The men were alleged to be involved in robberies of casinos, a bank, and a check cashing business in SeaTac, Renton, Shoreline, Lynnwood and Snohomish County.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart, during these takeover robberies, the men would typically wear masks and gloves, as well as often carrying shotguns in each hand. These types of crimes are dramatic, and are considered especially dangerous to victims, witnesses and bystanders.
The two bad guys were arrested Friday morning (Jan. 15th) around 1:45am, after a Shoreline patrol sergeant noticed a suspicious vehicle parked near two casinos on N. 167th. He pulled in behind the car and the driver quickly drove off. A short pursuit ensued until the sergeant used a PIT maneuver and the car was stopped near NE 163rd and Ashworth. The driver took off running and the passenger was taken into custody. The arrested man is 46 years old from Seattle.
The driver initially escaped, but evidence recovered led detectives to believe these two were involved in numerous armed robberies.
After further investigation, the second man was arrested at his home in Edmonds late Friday afternoon. He is 34 years old.
Detectives from at least four jurisdictions were looking for these two armed robbers who “takeover” the business being robbed.
Takeover-style robberies are considered especially dangerous to victims, witnesses, and bystanders. These robbers are considered armed and dangerous!
In some of the robberies one of the suspects carries a shotgun in one hand and a shotgun the other.
Robbery Details: Both robbers wore masks and gloves. A puffy black jacket was worn in several of the robberies. One of the robbers fires his gun into the air during two of the robberies.
Here’s the dates and locations of the robberies:
- October 26th 1:40pm. Check to Cash in Renton on Rainier Ave South. A shotgun and pistol were displayed.
- October 29th 3:00pm. Bank of America in Lynnwood along SW 196th. One suspect has guns in both hands, a shotgun and pistol. The other man is armed “only” with a pistol. A shot is fired as they exit the bank.
- November 13th 6:30am. Goldie’s Casino in Shoreline. Only one suspect inside the casino, armed with a shotgun and pistol. He robs the casino’s cash cage and gets into a waiting vehicle driven by another suspect. A shot is fired as he flees the area.
- December 2nd 7:00pm. Royal Casino, Snohomish County, along SR99. Lone robber armed with a shotgun and pistol.
- January 13th 5:00am. Silver Dollar Casino, City of SeaTac along International Blvd. Two suspects, one armed with a shotgun and pistol, the other with a pistol.
In addition, other area robberies may be related but have not yet been linked.
Formal charges are expected later this week.
Here’s surveillance video from Goldie’s Casino of these robbers in action:
Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer
On the busy 12400 block of Ambaum Blvd., a quiet, makeshift memorial stands as a tribute to Mikarah Nasabreo Sanders, the 15-year old girl who was shot and killed by her 16-year old boyfriend on New Year’s Eve, who later shot himself.
Sadly, Sanders died from her wounds and the male suspect is still being treated (and guarded) at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle (read our previous coverage here). King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has said that the suspect will likely be charged as an adult with murder in connection with Sanders’ death.
The most recent reports we’ve heard are that the suspect was upset with something he read on Sanders’ MySpace page. Other reports say that the couple argued frequently.
Like most temporary memorials, this one’s got photos protected by plastic sleeves, melted candles and notes, as well as some odd and ironic items like a mysterious, open, black umbrella (we’re not sure of its significance – anyone know? UPDATE: Occam’s Razor called and told us that it was probably placed there to protect the shrine from rain), and an empty peach vodka bottle lying next to stuffed animals – all as a tribute to a life lost way too early.
Scott Schaefer stopped by Thursday morning (Jan. 7th) and shot this Photo Slideshow:
On a personal note, we’re getting kinda tired of seeing these memorials all around the Burien area. Let’s get along peeps!
Jeff Kearney, the well-known mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run on Nov. 17th in White Center (read our previous coverage here) has been moved to BTB Advertiser Burien Nursing & Rehabilitation.
Jeff was moved from Highline’s Specialty Campus in Tukwila to Burien Rehab just before Christmas.
Debra George says:
They are working on getting him walking and moving his right side better.
He is beginning to eat on his own some.
And Burien Rehab’s Nate Neff adds:
Jeff is here and we are happy to have him.
Jeff arrived just before Christmas on Dec. 23. and has adjusted to Burien Rehab and this new setting.
He is currently making gradual improvements and participates in physical and occupational therapy daily.
The therapy team is working on Jeff’s ability to stand as well as his hand eye coordination.
Jeff continues to progress and we enjoy having him here.
Here’s a pic of Jeff courtesy Burien Rehab – check out his groovy goatee!:
Far as we know, the hit-and-run driver is still at large, there is still a $1,000 reward, and the investigation is continuing.
The suspect vehicle had damage to the left front fender, and lost its driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror at the scene. It is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
If you recognize the suspect vehicle or have any leads, please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
And if you wish to visit Jeff or send him your wishes, feel free to contact Burien Nursing & Rehab at 206-242-3213 or email admissions@burienrehab.com.
Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer
It must’ve been the absolute toughest Christmas ever for the Ebinger family of Burien, as they had to celebrate without their son Mark, 25, who was fatally stabbed outside Goodtime Ernie’s Nov. 12th.
On Monday (Dec. 28th), the family held a press conference at the King County Sheriff’s office in downtown Seattle, where they offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in the fatal stabbing.
Acting Public Information Officer Jim Laing spoke, along with Mark’s brother Peter (who was also stabbed), 24, as his distraught parents, sister and girlfriend sat nearby, solemnly holding back tears; here’s the raw MP3 of the conference:
[display_podcast]
Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”
“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.
The Ebinger Family at Monday's press conference.
Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.
Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”
Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”
Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.
Mark Ebinger's brother Peter was also stabbed, but survived.
“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”
Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.
Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”
The investigation is still ongoing.
“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”
Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”
If anyone has any information on this case, they should call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-274-6313.
$4,000 of the reward money comes from the Ebinger family, and $1,000 from Crimestoppers.
Here’s a video report on this case from KING-TV:
Read our previous coverage of this tragic incident here.
Mark Ebinger was just 25 when he was killed outside Goodtime Ernie's Nov. 12th.
The King County Sheriff’s Department alerts us that Peter K. Ebinger, 24, the brother of Mark K. Ebinger, 25, who was the victim of a fatal stabbing at Burien’s Goodtime Ernie’s last month, will hold a press conference on Monday, Dec. 28th.
Peter, 24, will offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed his brother, who was 25.
We’ll have a Reporter and Photographer on the scene Monday and will give a full report next week.
Here’s the text from an email we received from Sgt. Jim Laing:
On 11/12/09 at approx. 1.45 AM a large group attacked two brothers outside Good Time Ernies in Burien. Both brothers were stabbed several times and one died at the scene.
The deceased was identified as Mark K. Ebinger. His brother, Peter K. Ebinger spent several days in hospital but will recover from his wounds.
Detectives believe there are witnesses who have not come forward and that these witnesses have information that would help the investigation.
On December 28, 2009 at 1.30pm Peter Ebinger will speak to the Press and offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed his brother.
The Press Event will be held in Sheriff Rahr’s office, King County Courthouse, 3rd and James, 1st floor.
Monday afternoon (Dec. 21st) around 4pm, a woman was robbed at knifepoint in front of the Burien Wells Fargo Bank at SW 152nd and Ambaum, resulting in a large police turnout, including the King County Sheriff’s Guardian 1 chopper.
According to Sgt. Jim Laing of the Sheriff’s Department, there were two suspects, and both escaped despite a quick and large police response that lasted until around 5:45pm.
The main suspect is a white male, in his 30s or 40s, with long hair, a mustache and beard, wearing a yellow jacket and brandishing a knife. There is no description of the second suspect.
The female victim was uninjured, but her purse was stolen.
| Dec ’09 |
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The City of Burien, along with the Burien Police and King County Sheriff’s Department, are seeking donations of gift cards for area kids and families in need this holiday season.
Gift Cards in $20 increments are preferred, specifically from the local Fred Meyer and Safeway stores.
The deadline is Monday, Dec. 21st, and donated cards can be dropped off at City Hall during regular business hours.
There’s also a great opportunity for a local business or resident to “adopt” a needy family, and there are at least 35 in need this year.
Here’s more info from Nicki Maraulja, Community Service Officer:
It’s that time of year again to help out our kids and families in need for Christmas.
We have some 40 families that could use an extra hand this year.
We’re now collecting any gift cards for either Fred Meyer or Safeway.
These gift cards can be dropped off at Burien City Hall during City hours, until Dec. 21st.
Cards should be in $20.00 increments.
We would also be interested in any business or community member that would be interested in adopting a family. I have at least 35 families as of right now.
If anyone has any questions, I can be reached at the precinct. in Burien, at 206-296-3333.
Here’s the latest update on Jeff Kearney, the well-known mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run on Nov. 17th in White Center (read our previous coverage here).
According to Debra George, who visited him on Sunday, Dec. 6th:
Jeff is slowly making good progress. He is awake most of the time. He is been doing good at moving his legs and arms, taking commands. Yesterday I asked him to raise one finger, then two and so on – he did very well. I left him with the challenge last night to move his mouth – try and smile, and this morning I am happy to say he moved his mouth and smiled a bit, he even tried to mouth some words.
The doctors say that him might get his tracheotomy out this week and begin to work with a speech therapist. Next week he will be sent back to Harborview where they will look at his hips again – then back to Riverton Rehab. I am very hopeful that he might be home for Christmas.
At this time they have not found the individual that did this to him.
Thank you for all your prayers and concerns.
- Debra George
Discover Burien, Event Manager
The hit-and-run driver is still at large, and the investigation is still continuing. The suspect vehicle had damage to the left front fender, and lost its driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror at the scene. It is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
There is still a $1,000 reward, so if you recognize the suspect vehicle please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
If you’d like to visit Jeff, he’s taking visitors now at his new location at Highline Medical Center’s Specialty Campus, which is located at 12844 Military Rd South in Tukwila (phone: 206-244-0180). Jeff is in room #229.
Here’s the latest update on Jeff Kearney, the well-known mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run two weeks ago (original story here) in White Center.
According to Debra George, who brought him over a dozen gifts left by well-wishers for his 37th birthday last Saturday:
“He is breathing on his own, but still has pneumonia and is in ICU for that.
He opens his eyes more now and is tracking some, but does not take in any information. The nurses say that it could be years for him to recover and the extent of his recovery is still unknown.
The Nurses have given Jeff a very nice looking goatee shave.
Nothing yet as I know on the driver who did this to him.
Scott, a wonderful thing that happen last Wednesday when I was visiting Jeff – a box arrived from the Seattle Mariners, filled with all kinds of gift items and a signed card by no less than 25 Mariners employees – they all signed something personal as if they all knew him and were all rooting for him. This was not provoked by anyone I know of – just a wonderful thing they did!”
We checked in with Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, who says that the hit-and-run driver is still at large and the investigation is continuing. The suspect vehicle had damage to the left front fender, and lost its driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror at the scene. It is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
There is still a $1,000 reward, so if you recognize the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Update On Hit & Run Victim Jeff Kearney; His Birthday Is Saturday & Suspect Is Still At Large
- UPDATE: Police Need Help Finding Vehicle In Hit-And-Run Of Jeff Kearney
Just spoke with Debra George, who had a chance Tuesday to visit Jeff Kearney, the well-known, mentally-challenged man who was struck by a hit and run driver last Tuesday (Nov. 17th) in White Center.
“I feel very positive after seeing him,” Debra said late Tuesday morning. “I saw him move his shoulder and grimace in pain at one point, which is a great sign actually – it shows that he is responsive, which is a relief. And as I was leaving, I said out loud: ‘Okay Jeff, I’m going now, so you’d better give me a hug!’ and he actually moved his shoulders.”
Debra gave us more details on Jeff’s current condition:
- He’s still in Intensive Care at Harborview in serious condition.
- He’s been taken off the drug-induced coma but has not yet awakened.
- However, he has shown movement in both his arms and legs, which is a good sign.
- He’s currently on a respirator because he has contracted pneumonia since being admitted.
- He has fractures in his pelvis and hip, as well as severe injuries to his jaw, which may actually be broken.
As we reported last week, Kearney, 36, well-known in Burien as part of “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th in White Center on Tuesday, Nov. 17th around 5:20pm when a vehicle heading southbound on 16th struck him.
Jeff’s legal guardian, Mike Lindorff, apparently didn’t know about the accident until around 8:30pm that night, when he began to get worried that Jeff hadn’t yet returned home. Apparently Jeff was not wearing his usual ID dog tags when he was hit, so he was admitted to Harborview as an unidentified “John Doe” until Mike found out what happened.
Debra spoke to a nurse at Harborview, who told her it could “take a week” or so before Jeff wakes up on his own and gives them a chance to fully analyze his condition.
Jeff’s 37th birthday just happens to be this Saturday, Nov. 28th, and anyone who wishes to send gifts or cards should drop them off at The Mark Restaurant, located at 918 SW 152nd in Olde Burien before closing time Friday night (Nov. 27th); Debra George will then personally deliver them to Jeff.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department,”we have not located the suspect vehicle or driver. We still want tips from the public. The vehicle has damage that is specific and significant enough that someone should recognize it.”
Police are still looking for a maroon-colored Chevrolet or GMC SUV/truck that’s missing an exterior side rear-view mirror (and possibly has other front-end damage), and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
If anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
We here at The B-Town Blog continue to send positive vibes and prayers to Jeff. We are all feeling more positive after speaking with Debra, and are currently visualizing a huge “Welcome Back” party to celebrate a healthy and full recovery for him soon, where we’ll all hug him and tell him how our spouses, children, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers are doing.
Discover Burien announced Thursday (Nov. 19th) that it will be offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the driver of the vehicle that committed the hit-and-run on Jeff Kearney in White Center on Tuesday, Nov. 17th.
The $1,000 reward is set up at Burien’s Sterling Savings Bank (located at 224 SW 152nd Street; (206) 243-6869), and residents can contribute to it as well.
Kearney, 36, a well-known mentally-challenged man and part of Burien’s “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th on Tuesday around 5:20pm. The suspect vehicle was southbound on 16th when it struck him. The vehicle slowed but did not stop and was last seen driving off southbound on 16th.
Kearney was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition, and the latest reports we’ve heard are that he’s been upgraded to “serious condition.”
The suspect driver is still at large, and according to police, a driver’s side exterior mirror was found at the scene, and there is also likely damage to the left front fender.
The vehicle is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
If anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
We will continue to post updates about Jeff and this story as we learn more.
The King County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday morning (Nov. 19th) that they need help in finding the vehicle that struck and critically injured Jeff Kearney, who was struck in a White Center crosswalk on Tuesday.
Kearney, 36, well-known in Burien as part of “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th. The suspect vehicle was southbound on 16th when it struck him. The vehicle slowed but did not stop and was last seen driving off southbound on 16th.
Kearney was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition, where he remains.
According to police, a driver’s side exterior mirror was found at the scene. There will also be damage to the left front fender.
The vehicle is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:
- GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
- Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
- Suburban: 1992-1999
- GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999
If anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.
PREVIOUSLY:
Sad news for Burien – a hit and run accident late Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 17th) on 16th SW in White Center has put Jeff Kearney (pictured, left) in critical condition in a medically-induced coma in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Jeff is known to most everyone in Burien as a huge part of “Team Clean Sweep,” and you’ve probably seen him or talked to him at one of the city’s many local events over the last several years. Despite being mentally-challenged, he is a very happy, gregarious, kind and hard-working 36-year old who seemingly knows everyone in town (especially the ladies).
On a personal note, we would often see Jeff at the weekly Farmer’s Market, and he’d always ask us how we were doing, where Janet was, how our parents were, how our spouses were and more, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, the hit and run happened around 5:33pm Tuesday (Nov. 17th), when Jeff was crossing a marked crosswalk in White Center. The suspect vehicle was driving southbound on 16th SW at around 35mph, and struck him while he was still in the crosswalk, throwing Jeff some 30 feet. The vehicle, identified as a black SUV or truck, slowed down, then took off southbound on 16th. Reports are that an external side rear-view mirror fell off the vehicle. The driver is still at large.
Jeff Kearney, left, with Debra George.
“Jeff’s in a medically-induced coma right now,” said Mike Lindorff, his legal guardian and uncle. “He’s got minor fractures on his back and face, but the most concerning thing right now is that he has bleeding on the brain. They have drilled a hole in his head and are trying to reduce pressure so they can wake him up, and they won’t know if he has brain damage until then.”
Everyone here at The B-Town Blog, especially the ladies who were all well-known by him, send our hopes, prayers and meditations to our friend Jeff Kearney for a full and speedy recovery.
We ask also that our Readers take a moment to look at Jeff’s photo and send positive vibes his way.
Also, according to Debra George, who worked closely with Jeff:
“If you’d like to drop anything off you can drop it off at the Mark Restaurant & Bar (918 SW 152nd Street) and I will make sure it gets to him as soon as he is out of ICU.
Thank you for your kindness.”
On another note, we hope that the police catch the hit and run driver and that justice is fully served.
If you have any information on a suspect black SUV or truck that is missing a side rear-view mirror, please call 911 immediately.
According to King County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart, a bar fight at closing time at Burien’s Goodtime Ernie’s Sports Bar & Grill Thursday morning (Nov. 12th) led to the stabbing death of one man, age 25, while his brother (24) was seriously injured.
The victim died at the scene, and the brother was taken to Harborview with stab wounds. He is expected to survive.
The incident occurred about 1:40am at Good Time Ernie’s, which is located at 15747 Ambaum Blvd in Burien, behind Wizards Casino.
According to Urquhart, a fight inside the bar involving several people spilled out into the parking lot where the stabbings occurred.
A Burien man, age 25, died at the scene, despite CPR efforts from Sheriff’s deputies (Burien Police) and then from fire personnel. A second stabbing victim, age 24, and also from Burien, was taken to Harborview.
The two victims, who are brothers, have not yet been identified.
Sheriff’s detectives interviewed bar patrons and witnesses, but no one was arrested.
What prompted the fight is unknown, and the suspect is still at large.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.
Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer was on the scene this morning around 8:45am, where he spoke with investigators and saw a silver Lincoln Aviator SUV get impounded; he also took these photos (EDITOR’S NOTE: slideshow has been altered & all bloodstain photos have been removed out of respect for the bereaved):
RELATED:
Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department reported Monday (Nov. 9th) that Nicholas Francisco, a SeaTac man who went missing in Feb. 2008, has been found alive and well, living in another state, and under a new name.
Francisco, 28 at the time, told colleagues at a Seattle ad agency on Feb. 13, 2008 that he would be heading to a local Safeway and then the Southcenter/Tukwila Costco before going home to his pregnant wife and two children to bake cookies in SeaTac.
Francisco’s car was found a few days later abandoned at a condominium complex in Federal Way, and an extensive investigation was conducted to see if he had been a victim of foul play.
Nothing turned up, and subsequently his wife, Christine, filed for divorce, citing “willful abandonment that continues for a period of time” and a “history of acts of domestic violence … or an assault or sexual assault which causes grievous bodily harm or the fear of such harm” as her reasons.
Christine has a daughter, 4, and a son, 2, and was also pregnant at the time (meaning she has three kids now).
Last week detectives developed information that he was in fact alive, had changed his name and was living outside of Washington.
“Since he did nothing illegal and this case is basically closed, we won’t reveal where he was found,” Urquhart said to The B-Town Blog. “But let me tell you – there was something incredibly unique about this guy that made bloggers go crazy. In all my years, I have never seen such a reaction. I’m glad this case is closed.”
And yes, the King County Sheriff’s Department has indeed closed their investigation.
Obviously, Francisco’s incident caused a lot of people a lot of grief, and a lot of time and money was spent on his alleged “missing” case. We’re certain that today, while many are relieved to know that he’s still alive, many are not too happy with his decision to just up and leave like he did, abandon his wife and kids and start a new life elsewhere.
UPDATE 10pm 11/9/09: We just discovered the following post on a forum devoted to this case that appears to be be from Francisco’s ex-wife, Christine, who claims the former-Nicholas is now living in LA:
This is Christine Carter. I have a few things to say to the lot of you. On this board and other places as well I have been FALSELY accused of lying, adultery, slander, hypocrisy, and of course murder. I’m sure the list of false accusations is longer but this is the general list. First let me say that I have prayed for each one of you that your hearts would be softened, your tongues kinder and your eyes be opened to the truth. It seems that God has not answered that prayer, yet. I know what all of you think of me. Admittedly at first it bothered me until I realized that you don’t know me and you don’t know Nicholas. You only know the pictured that I painted of him. For me you saw blips here and there while I was surviving the biggest tragedy of my life. When I married Nicholas it was forever. We took vows before God to love each other unconditionally and honor each other until death. When I took that vow I meant it. When Nicholas took it I truly believed that he meant it as well. I loved Nicholas with all of my heart. No evil thing you say about me can change that. No matter what kind of woman I am or you think I am Nicholas took vows and he knew me for two years before he married me. He chose to marry me. No one held a gun to his head to make marry me and stay married to me for seven years and have three beautiful kids with me. Those were things that Nicholas and I chose to do and we chose together. Believe what you will. God knows the truth as does Nicholas and myself. When Nicholas disappeared I couldn’t imagine that he walked out on me and our kids. The reason I could not imagine it is because I would never do it and to me it was unthinkable and I truly believed that Nicholas felt the same way. Why would I think Nicholas felt that way? well it’s simple. He told me over and over and over how much he loved me, how glad he was he married me and that he would always be with me. So no that night and for weeks following I couldn’t imagine him walking out on me. Then his secret life was discovered and my whole world was shattered all over again. Everything I thought was true was a lie. Many of you believe you know everything about this case. Well i’m sorry to be the one to tell you this but honestly you all know very little. What you think you know are just things in your imagination built off of tiny details you chose to pick at and blow way out of proportion. There are many details that have not been shared with you and will not be shared with you. You simply don’t deserve it. People who love me and who have supported me and my kids through this know the details and they are all who need to know. Perhaps someday in a book you will read all those juicy details you hunger for. Until then you will just have to continue using your imaginations. So why did I come on here and make this post? I had a few things I wanted to say to you before I tell you that Nicholas is alive. Yes that is right Nicholas is alive and well. He was recently found living in Los Angeles California. I will not give you the details on how he was found because I don’t want to give other dead beat dads any ideas. I will say that his money was garnished and given to me in a child support check to which he fought to have at least 80% of it returned claiming a hardship. The check was not for a sum as to cause a man a hardship. I will say that for a man that runs out on his pregnant wife and two kids no hardship for him could be worse than what he put us through. A board discussed this hardship he claimed and they denied it. The board stated it was not a hardship and thus a check was sent to me. I know you all have many questions that I have the answers to but history says that no matter what I tell you none of you believe a word from me. At this point I believe that the lot of you owe me a huge apology for all of the nasty, untruthful, hateful, disgusting things that you have said about me not only on here but in every way and to every person you possibly could. I am also considering filing suit on many of you for defamation of character. Yes I have a very good lawyer and yes I have a good case. So how do you feel knowing that Nicholas is alive and well and living under an alias just to avoid supporting the three children he willingly and wantingly fathered? How do you feel? As a final thought: Nicholas chose to lead a double life behind my back to which he started long before he ever met me. He chose to commit adultery. He chose to lie. He chose to walk away that night and not look back. He chose to break my heart. He chose to financially kill me. He chose to steal from his children. He chose to break the hearts of his kids. He chose to not call and let anyone know he was okay for the last 21 months. He chose. He chose this. I did not choose this. My kids did not choose this. Nicholas chose for us and that is not okay. What Nicholas did is evil and dark to put it mildly. I know that all of my words here will be twisted. Oh well. I am not perfect and I never claimed to be. I did not ever do anything to drive Nicholas away. He chose to never talk to me. He chose to run and hide. He chose to be selfish. I am the one that chose to stay and love these amazing kids through everything. I may not be a dream wife but I am far from evil and dark.__________________
__________________
Things are not always as they appear
Here are some videos that were produced and posted online:
Read our previous coverage of this story here.
UPDATE 3pm 10/27/09: Just received word from the King County Sheriff’s Department, who says that the victim of the pedestrian/car accident Tuesday morning was a 72 year-old SeaTac man, who was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.
The incident occurred about 7:15 AM Tuesday morning at S. 136th and 8th Avenue South.
The victim was walking eastbound on South 136th and crossing 8th Ave South with the green light. The vehicle, a 1996 Ford Windstar driven by a 17 year-old Seattle teenager, made a right turn onto southbound 8th Ave S. from 136th. He apparently did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk and stuck him.
There were no signs of drugs or alcohol on either driver or pedestrian.
Detectives believe fogged windows on the van may have contributed to the accident.
The investigation is continuing and there have been no arrests or citations.
Here’s a photo of the intersection where the incident occurred, taken by Scott Schaefer around 11am (EDITOR’S NOTE: despite looking around carefully, we saw no visible evidence at the scene):
UPDATE 11:30am 10/27/09: The King County Sheriff’s Department has re-opened the intersection of S. 136th and 8th Ave S. after a “serious car vs. pedestrian accident” occurred around 7:15am Tuesday morning.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart, the victim is an adult male, and roads will be closed for several hours we went to the scene and the roads and intersection have been re-opened.
No further details available now, but we’re expecting an update later this afternoon.
According to numerous witnesses, two separate crime incidents resulted in shots fired and tires slashed on at least six cars near Burien’s Three Tree Point neighborhood over the last week.
Here are details as relayed to us by neighbors:
- On Sunday, Oct. 11th, shots were fired during an incident where one neighbor allegedly assaulted guests of another neighbor’s residence. No one was injured, and apparently only minor injuries resulted from the assault. At least eight King County Sheriff’s Department officers responded, along with one helicopter, pictured (photos courtesy Dane Johnson) and, according to witnesses, they were heavily armed as they searched the neighborhood for the suspect. The assaulting individual was apprehended and taken to jail. Officers have been called to the residence multiple times in the past, and reports are that actions are being taken to get the renters evicted from this property. Here are two postings from the Three Tree Point Yahoo Group:
“16XXX Maplewild, it’s a rental that was recently foreclosed on … one of the individuals living there is often under the influence, easily agitated and violent when provoked.”
“FYI, last night’s ( ~ 11:00 – 1:00) police activity in the 16500 block of Maplewild SW was due to a neighborhood incident where one of the neighbors assaulted guests of another neighbor’s residence ending with gunshots being fired. No one was shot and I believe only minor injuries resulted from the assault. At least 8 officers responded and they were heavily armed as they searched the neighborhood. The assaulting individual was being taken to jail. This is not the first time this has happened w/ this individual. Officers have been called to the residence (a rental at 16XXX Maplewild) multiple times in the past. Actions are being taken to get the renters evicted from this property.”
- On Thursday, Oct. 8th, six cars had their tires slashed on the north end of Maplewild after midnight. No suspects were seen, but a police report was taken. Here’s a posting from the Three Tree Point Yahoo Group:
“I don’t know if anyone knew what happened on the north end of Maplewild last week (Thursday night Oct. 8th), but six cars (that we know of) had their tires slashed. Ours had 7 stabs in it and was parked in front of our garage. The police came and did a report, but we all know how far that will go. It was after midnight on Thursday because we had been out to the airport before that. It was certainly a waste for everyone involved, I was out of town so I don’t know if it was in the three tree group or not. Just letting people know how they have to be so careful with their property, and never ever leave anything valuable in their car.”
(Photos by Dane Johnson)
Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department sent us the following article Friday afternoon (Oct. 2nd), where he attempts to clarify budget cuts that will affect police officers, as proposed on Monday (Sept. 28th) by current King County Executive Kurt Triplett.
Here’s Sgt. Urquhart’s rebuttal to Triplett’s announcement:
The King County budget is incredibly complicated…some might even say convoluted! Attached is my effort to clarify one aspect: the cuts contemplated by the Exec’s Office to the Sheriff’s Office as a result of the North Highline annexation to Burien.
John
Budget 101: The Cuts to Cops on the Streets
There has been some confusion over budget numbers released by the Sheriff’s Office Wednesday (Sept. 30th), and statements made by the Executive’s Budget Office. This should clear up at least some of the confusion.
Burien residents voted on August 25th 18th to annex a relatively small area into their city. It’s officially called “North Highline”. The annexation officially occurs about March 1, 2010.
Here’s a map of the area:
It is 1,700 acres (about 2.6 square miles) and includes 14,100 people.
The Sheriff’s Office already provides police service to the area since it is in unincorporated King County. For 24/7 365 day coverage, it takes seven officers, as well as a part-time detective for investigations and a part-time sergeant for supervision. Call it eight police officers.
With the area soon to be part of Burien, the eight officers are no longer needed so their costs for King County go away because the city will take over police duties in North Highline in March.
The average cost for a Sheriff’s Office employee is $100,000 a year, including salary, benefits, and equipment. Remember, that’s an average……some are higher and some are lower.
Therefore the “avoided cost” to King County due to the North Highline annexation, if annualized, is about $800,000 (eight deputies X $100,000 each). However the since the annexation doesn’t take place until March 1st, the 2010 avoided cost is $666,666 (10 months of $800,000). Pretty simple.
It would be entirely appropriate to take that amount out of the Sheriff’s Office budget for 2010, since that is the savings when deputies won’t be providing police service in the area.
However, rather than $666,666, the Executive’s Office is removing nearly $3.5 million from the Sheriff’s Office budget in 2010. The amount is specifically labeled as a result of the “North Highline Annexation” in several budget documents. (Those documents are available for review in the Sheriff’s Office, or are certainly available from the Executive’s Budget Office.)
So that forces a reduction in Sheriff’s Office staff of 35 positions specifically because of the North Highline Annexation ($100,000 X 35 = $3.5 million).
However it is likely that eight of those positions will be hired by the city of Burien, (one of our contract cities) for police duties in North Highline beginning March 1st.
That means the number of lost positions (35) can be reduced by eight, leaving a net loss to unincorporated King County of 27 deputies.
Note that 27 deputies is exactly the number listed in Communications Director Carolyn Duncan’s press release on Monday, Sept. 28th (link here).
However the lost positions are not listed anywhere in budget documents. This masks the cuts to cops on the street.
So the obvious question: If the cost savings to King County is $666,666 due to the North Highline annexation, why cut the Sheriff’s Office by $3.5 million…more than five times higher than it should be?
Good question. We’ve asked. So far, the Sheriff’s Office has not been provided the documentation behind the cuts.
According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, a 41 year-old woman shot her 55 year-old boyfriend at least twice with a handgun around 10:30pm last night (Oct. 1st) in the 800 block of SW 117th, which is in the newly-annexed area.
The male victim was taken to Harborview Hospital in Seattle with non life- threatening injuries.
The couple live with the man’s brother and the woman’s 15 year-old son, both of whom were home at the time of the shooting.
The son called 911 and everyone except the female suspect made their way out of the house as deputies arrived.
The woman refused to come out of the house or communicate with deputies for over three hours. Eventually the Sheriff’s SWAT Team entered the residence and took the woman into custody just before 2am.
The female suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault in the First Degree. A small caliber handgun was recovered inside the house.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, a fiery car crash early Wednesday morning (Sept. 23rd) claimed the lives of three people in SeaTac when the car they were in ran off the road, slammed into a building and burst into flames.
The deadly accident occurred around 3:30am, along 8th Ave South by South 192nd Street near Sea-Tac Airport (see map below), according to Sgt. John Urquhart. The three victims were the only occupants in the car, and likely won’t be identified for another day or two.
According to Urquhart, speed was a factor in the fatal crash.
The car was apparently driving south at high speeds on 8th Ave South near South 192nd when it crossed the center line, hit a support cable next to a utility pole, careened through some brush, struck a tree and then a building, where it caught fire and burned, killing the occupants inside, Urquhart said.
Urquhart added that there was no evidence yet that the crash was the result of street racing, which has been a problem in the area recently.
Here’s a photo taken by Janet Grella Wednesday afternoon of flowers placed where the accident occurred:
King County Sheriff’s detectives are looking for a “low key” man (surveillance photos above) who robbed a White Center bank last Friday, Sept. 4th.
According to authorities, the man was so mellow, other employees and customers didn’t know the bank was robbed until the teller called 911.
The robber casually meandered into Chase Bank, located at 1616 SW 100th Street about 2:30pm, strolled up to a teller and said he wanted to make “a withdrawal.” The teller said he would need a withdrawal slip and directed him to the forms table. According to deputies, the man sidled on over to the table and appeared to fill out the slip.
The suspect got back in line and eventually made his way to the original teller. This time he leaned into the teller’s window, and said in a deep, soft voice that “this was a robbery.”
The man was given cash and he quietly left the bank. No gun was seen and there was no note.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: No word yet on if Barry White has been seen in the area.]
The robber is a black male about 45 years old, 5’ 8” tall and approximately 175 lbs. He had a mustache and goatee and wore jeans, a brown fleece-type zippered coat and a brown fabric hat with a short bill.
If anyone recognizes the man they should call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or dial 911.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, a nearly-naked 39-year old man who was allegedly using drugs got lost last Thursday (Sept. 3rd), then went missing for a day and a half before being found.
He was discovered wearing only boxer shorts, and as you can see from the photo, had scratched himself up quite a bit whilst lost.
The Sheriff’s Office became aware of the man’s plight shortly before 5pm on Friday, Sept. 4th when two residents near the 12600 block of Shorewood Drive called 911 to say they could hear faint calls for help coming from a heavily wooded area near a sewage treatment plant.
Responding deputies could hear the man calling for help too, but couldn’t understand exactly what he was saying due to the distance. So they hiked down the bank, across a small stream, then up a big, steep bank, and eventually found the man.
He was a 39 year-old Burien man who had been using illegal narcotics when he became paranoid and delusional and ran into the woods. Deputies believe he had been there since about 8am the previous morning. He had no shoes or any clothes, except for his boxers. He was scratched from head-to-toe by the brambles. He couldn’t walk because of injuries to his feet. And he was dehydrated (but at least by then he was hopefully sober, and from the looks of it, full of blackberries…).
A Sheriff’s Office Arson investigator who happened to be in the area came up with a pair of size 13 boots for the man’s size 12 feet. The fire department provided a rope for climbing up the bank.
Deputies helped the man climb to safety where he was checked out by the fire department, then released.
KJing County Sheriff’s Department reports that on Friday, Aug. 21st, a clerk in a Circle K store in nearby Auburn didn’t believe a young robber was carrying a real gun, so she did what any normal clerk would do any overly worked and underpaid clerk would do – she grabbed for it.
The robber popped off a round into the ceiling, hitting a light fixture, and the clerk quickly became a believer.
The robbery occurred just after 1am on Friday, August 21st at 5011 S. 288th Street in Auburn.
A man came into the store with a bandana covering his face, pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and demanded “all the cigars, chew, and everything” from the clerk.
The clerk said “Are you kidding?” and told the suspect to leave the store, in no uncertain terms. When the robber reached for some merchandise the clerk grabbed for the gun. The suspect pulled his arm back and fired into the ceiling before leaving the store. The clerk was not injured.
The robber was about 140 lbs, around 5’ 5” tall, perhaps 15 to 18 years old. He wore a black, White Sox baseball hat, black jacket, tan shorts and white shoes. And of course the black bandana. Differing descriptions by witnesses have his race as black or white.
In addition, there was a likely accomplice in the store just before the robbery wearing a red sweatshirt. He stood outside the store, held the door for the robber, and even peeked in during the robbery.
If anyone knows either suspect or has information on the crime, they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.
Hey we know times are tough, so when you find a good thing you stick with it, but this is ridiculous – the King County Sheriff’s Department says a man robbed the same Wells Fargo Bank twice!
The bank is located inside the Safeway Store at 4011 South 164th in SeaTac.
The robber first struck about 5:50pm on June 17th. He presented the teller with a robbery note, then fled with the cash. No weapon was seen.
Tuesday of this week (Aug. 25th) the same bad guy struck again just after 5pm. He again used a note, was given the cash and walked out. No weapon was seen.
No one saw a getaway car after either robbery.
The robber is a Hispanic male in his 30, between 5’8” to 5’11” tall with black hair. He wore dark sunglasses and a tan zip-up jacket in both robberies. He wore a white baseball cap in the most recent incident.
Here are his pics from the surveillance camera – recognize him?
If anyone recognizes this suspect they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911 immediately.
The tellers there are getting tired of seeing him.
The King County Sheriff’s Department reports that a stabbing early Monday morning left a 21 year-old SeaTac man in critical condition.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Shannon South Apartments in the 3500 block of South 180th about 4am Monday, Aug. 24th.
Several men were apparently arguing in the lot just before the stabbing, and the suspect fled before police arrived.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken to Harborview Medical Center with several stab wounds. He was in critical condition when transported, and is a resident of the Shannon South.
The investigation is continuing and no one has been arrested.
The Seattle P-I is reporting that King County Sheriff Sue Rahr is contemplating firing two deputies who worked out of the Burien offices for use of “excessive force,” including one caught on this video as he man-handled Malika Calhoun, a 15-year old girl:
Deputy Paul Schene, 31, has been charged with misdemeanor assault for beating the teenaged girl in a SeaTac holding cell in the video above. His trial is set for Sept. 9th in King County Superior Court, where, if convicted, he could face up to a year in jail.
The incident happened last November, and began after Calhoun was brought in for an auto theft investigation, according to court documents. The footage shows the attack beginning after the girl enters the cell at SeaTac City Hall and kicks off one of her shoes toward the deputy.
“We believe this case is beyond just police misconduct, it’s criminal misconduct,” King County Prosecutor Daniel Satterberg said. “This is clearly excessive force.”
The second deputy, Don Griffee, 61, was charged with misdemeanor assault for hitting Johnny R. Bradford, 21, of Burien, a handcuffed suspect in the back of his patrol car on Aug. 3, 2008. Bradford had apparently been falsely accused of threatening a woman with a gun. Griffee, 61, was charged in King County District Court, where a jury acquitted him.
Some bad times in B-Town, eh?
Read the full story here.
