A home invasion robbery took place Wednesday night (Feb. 8th) around 10:19 p.m., where a group of three knocked on the door of a house in the 13500 block of 6th Ave SW in Burien (map below), forced their way inside, physically assaulted a female resident, stole her credit cards, Xbox, games, jewelry and finally her car before escaping, according to Burien Police Sgt. Henry McLauchlan.

We were first tipped to this crime by a neighbor of the victims, whose door was knocked on first by the suspects. The suspect asked him “is Patrick there?” before being told they had the wrong house. The neighbor was immediately suspicious of the stranger, who quickly walked away.

According to our source, whose story was corroborated by the police, the suspects then went to the next house on the same block, where they asked the female resident if her husband was home. When she said no, they forced their way inside and robbed her. While the neighbor did not witness the home invasion, by then he had called the Burien Police non-emergency line, where the dispatcher told him there was a robbery in progress next door (our source was unable to intervene, as the perps had escaped by then).

The three suspects were described as a tall, thin African-American male (who knocked on the door), a younger Hispanic boy, and a 40-ish, heavyset African-American woman who was “clearly the ringleader” according to the neighbor.

The victim, a smaller-framed East Indian woman, told her neighbor the following details:

• No weapons were visible during the robbery, although force was used and the victim was physically assaulted.
• At one point during the robbery, the female ringleader threatened to kill the victim with the cord of a wall charger.
• The young Hispanic boy continually apologized to the victim as he pilfered through her belongings.
• At one point the boy referred to the female ringleader as “Momma.”
• One of the stolen credit cards was attempted to be used at the AM/PM Mini-Mart on Ambaum and SW 136th around 3 a.m. Thursday morning.
• The victim was hosting a friend from out of the country, whose credit cards and cell phone were also stolen.

“We love the blog and we want to make the community aware,” said our source, who prefers to remain anonymous. “Do NOT answer your door, even in the middle of the day, if you don’t know who’s there. Also, get motion sensor lights, or a dog, and other deterrents.”

Sgt. McLauchlan concurs:

“If somebody knocks at your door and you don’t know who they are, don’t open the door – you can talk to them through the door. The best words of warning I can give are make sure you have a peephole, make sure you identify the people before you open the door, If they want to use your phone or they need help calling do not let them in your house – make the phone call for them, and if you have any suspicions about them call 911 immediately.”

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“Someone cut the locks off of our storage container and stole camp stoves, backpacking tents, a Honda generator, food, and other items,” said Tod Bookless, Assistant Scoutmaster. “As you probably know, the Boy Scout organization is a 101-year old non-profit and all of the gear that was stolen is used by the local boys on campouts.”

If anyone knows anything about this crime, or has any leads on the stolen equipment, you are asked to call the Normandy Park Police Department non-emergency line at (206) 248-7600.

Here are two recent reports:

BTB Reader Nicole Garnett sent in this report, along with these two pics:

“Last night (Saturday, Jan. 7) between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. my little brother and I were home alone and heard a crack.

We didn’t think anything of it but this morning when the sun was shining on the window we noticed a crack in the outer pane of it, and this bullet stuck inside.

We later found out that two other houses on my side of the street (164th in Burien) also got their windows shot at.

One of my neighbors has a security camera at his house and saw a white car with a very loud engine drive by and the passenger was shooting.

These three cases have already been reported to the police, but if anyone knows anything please report it to the police so we can catch these people!”

And Nancy Moore reports that her home in Three Tree Point was burglarized on Christmas night (Dec. 25):

“The front door was kicked in, with the door frame damaged…then our house was ransacked and the usual small stuff carted away for cash or drugs (laptops, jewelry, watches, etc.).

I suggest that when residents see any ‘suspicious types’ lurking around the neighborhood that they call 911 immediately.”

On at least one local neighborhood group forum, residents have also been alerting their neighbors about door-to-door salespeople canvassing neighborhoods. Here’s some info we gleaned from one discussion:

• Door-to-door sales are illegal in Burien. But if someone comes to your door “selling” something, they should have a visible ID.
• Police encourage residents who are wary of solicitors to not open their doors, get a good description of them (and car, including license plate numbers), then to call 911 (not the non-emergency number) if there is any suspicion.
• Oftentimes burglars will approach a home, knock on the front door, then if nobody answers, break in through a back door or window. They’ll even case entire neighborhoods and check multiple times over several days so they can steal more.
• As Nancy Moore pointed out, a strong door frame can prevent someone from kicking in your door.

We reached out to Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer, as well as Sgt. Henry McLauchlan, but neither responded to our query.

Here’s an interactive crime map, which can also be found on our Crime page:

by Ralph Nichols

Burien Police are warning South King County residents to be on guard against a “pigeon-drop” scam that originates in parking lots.

Detective Andy Skarr told The B-Town Blog that at least three such scams have occurred in Burien during the past year, adding it is believed to be a multi-jurisdictional problem.

Targets of the scam have been “older people in their 60s and 70s, well-dressed and driving nicer cars, who look like they have money.”

All victims known to the police “are people with a good heart who want to help, but who are getting scammed,” Skarr said. The amounts stolen have ranged from $5,000-$8,000 each time.

The scam artists are described as two women, both black and both in their mid-30s to mid-40s. One has a medium build, the other is taller and more slender. “They definitely have gotten their rehearsal down pretty good,” he noted.

This is their method of operation, as described by Skarr:

One suspect – speaking with an accent and claiming to be from South Africa – approaches a victim in a parking lot, and says she has just inherited a large amount of money.

But, the suspect adds, she is leaving the country and can’t take the money with her, so she wants to leave it to a church. “She ends up getting the victim to help her find a church or bank” where she can donate the money.

At this point, “the second suspect appears at random.” After also hearing about the plan from the first scam artist, the second suspect “offers to help them with the donation.

“Then they talk the victim into taking money out of the victim’s bank account” as an initial sign of trust – so, they claim, “they know they can put [the first suspect’s alleged inheritance] in the victim’s checking account.”

As the charade continues, the first suspect pretends to leave her “inheritance” with the other suspect as another sign of trust, then rides along as the victim drives around the block. When they return, the second suspect is still there – showing she can be trusted to make the deposit.

Next, as a final sign of mutual trust, the first suspect gives her “inheritance check” to the victim – and convinces the victim to leave the cash with her while the victim drives around the block again. But this time, both suspects stay behind.

When the victim gets back, both suspects are gone – and the victim soon discovers the “inheritance check” is bogus.

“There are probably several instances of this happening that we don’t know about, because these folks are embarrassed or don’t know if a crime has happened,” Skarr said.

Anyone who has been victimized by this scam or knows of someone else who has is asked to call 9-1-1.

Sometime around the middle of August, the two vinyl banners pictured above went missing from the fence of the tennis courts at Lake Burien School Park – Burien Parks’ “Music In The Park” one and The B-Town Blog’s banner.

We are asking for our Readers to spread the word, post this to their Facebook Pages, Tweet it, talk about ‘em, because sadly, these banners cost money, and neither Burien Parks nor The B-Town Blog can afford to lose them.

To whomever took them down – perhaps you found it offensive to have “advertising” in your local park? We understand, and we apologize for that – you see, we helped Sponsor the city’s annual “Music and Movies in the Park” shows at this park, and one of the perks was for us to display our banner on site. We were planning on taking it down but, ahem…you beat us to it.

If you have either banner, or know their whereabouts, we encourage you to please let us know – and you can do so without identifying yourself!:

1. Call (206) 248-2565, and using the *67 “call blocking” feature on your phone tell us where it is, or call after hours and leave a voicemail if you wish.
2. Leave an anonymous Comment below (you don’t have to use a real email address!).

We’re willing to pick up the banners at an easy, convenient drop-off location too, so you won’t have to meet us in person. Say perhaps at Lake Burien School Park? An alley near Olde Burien? etc.

Please note that:

• We don’t care who you are.
• We don’t plan on pressing charges or ‘punishing’ anyone.
• We both just want our banners back!

Thanks,
Scott Schaefer
Publisher/Editor

Kasey L. Guthrie, Dylan M. Lorang, David J. Moore and Justin L. Moore all plead ‘not guilty’ in court at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Here are more details from the King County Prosecutor’s office:

• Charges include Residential Burglary.
• Bail remains the same, $75,000 for Lorang and $50,000 for both Moore brothers.
• Guthrie was released on personal recognizance over the State’s objection.
• Dave Moore and Guthrie have court dates on July 27th, while Justin Moore will next appear on August 1st.
• Lorang will appear on August 17th at 1:00pm, all at the MRJC in Kent.

As we’ve previously reported:

Leonard Werner, 69, had been dead about two weeks before his body was found by relatives checking on him on June 24th. He lived alone in the 12600 block of Des Moines Memorial Drive, which, despite what other media is reporting, is actually located just north of Burien’s new city limits.

The cause and manner of death is still pending.

According to Sgt. John Urquhart, Werner’s house was ransacked and many of his possessions stolen as he lay dead on the floor. His two cars were taken as well. Some of the stolen items were found by Sheriff’s detectives on the day Werner’s body was discovered at the next door neighbor’s house.

More of Werner’s stolen property was recovered last night, as well as his two stolen cars. However some of the property may have already been sold on eBay.

Yesterday about 3 p.m., detectives located what they believed might be the stolen PT Cruiser under a tarp in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle. They obtained a search warrant for the house and recovered stolen property taken from Werner’s residence and made two arrests.

Information gleaned then led them to a house in Normandy Park for a third arrest, and then to a storage warehouse at S. 178th and Des Moines. The second stolen car was found in a storage unit.

The three men, ages 29, 36, and 37, were booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property. The investigation is continuing.

The King County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday (June 9) that it is seeking the public’s help in tracking down thieves, who have lately become so brazen that they’re now climbing telephone poles just to steal copper wires.

Detectives believe the stolen wire is sold to metal recyclers who either aren’t asking the right questions, or are looking the other way during these transactions.

Per state law, scrap metal recyclers are required to collect records of each transaction, including the license plate and description of the vehicle used to deliver the metal, along with the current, government issued identification from the seller, along with other checks and balances.

Police say that thieves have struck at least three times in the last five weeks, including in both the Burien and SeaTac areas:

• On June 2nd, about 150 feet of cable was cut down near S. 128th and 12th Ave S. in the city of Burien.
• On May 2nd, about 250 feet of telephone cable was cut down from poles in the 3200 block of S. 162nd St. in SeaTac. At least 330 telephone customers were affected.
• On May 11th, about 330 feet of cable was cut in the 23200 block of 156th Ave NE in unincorporated King County, affecting 300+ customers. The cable was 2” to 3” in diameter and included a guide wire that supported the thick cable.

According to CenturyLink (formerly Qwest), these thefts are happening frequently in the Seattle Metro area, in addition to the cases listed above.

“The cost is more than financial, as these outages impact customer service and safety,” says Sue Anderson, vice president and general manager of CenturyLink in Seattle. “Hospitals, schools, and public safety organizations are all affected as well as residential and business customers. We urge the public to call law enforcement if they see suspicious activity”.

The Sheriff’s Office echoes those concerns, and is asking for the help of the public to stop these thieves.

Legitimate line workers will be driving branded vehicles and wear CenturyLink or Qwest clothing. They will also have typical safety equipment such as orange vests and hard hats. There will be flaggers if the road is blocked plus orange cones and traffic signage.

If the public sees workers without this equipment, acting suspiciously, or working at odd hours, they are asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

UPDATE 6/4/11 7:30 p.m.: Patte Kion emailed us Friday to let us know that her 1995 teal green Acura Integra, which she reported as stolen on Wednesday morning (June 1) has been found.

That’s the good news.

The bad news? We’ll let Patti explain it:

Well, they found my car, unfortunately, the engine wasn’t with it.

Thank you for your help to list it on the blog,

I really appreciate it.

Thank You,
Patte

PREVIOUSLY: BTB Reader Patte Kion emailed us a note she wants us to share with our audience – her 1995 teal green Acura Integra (pictured above), license plate # 580 VQT was stolen from in front of her house on 2nd Ave South, between South 130th and South 128th (map below) on Wednesday morning, June 1st.

“Please include this in the B-Town Blog, hopefully readers will watch for it,” she added.

If you have any information about this stolen vehicle, please email Patti ASAP: 1patte@msn.com.
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Our good friend Janel Stoneback (pictured, left) of Emerald City Smoothie tells us that she and her partner Dan were victims of a major, yet smooth theft last night – someone entered through their garage and stole a big-screen TV, tools, some memorabilia and Dan’s 1998 Chevy Tahoe 2-door limited with the Emerald City Smoothie logo on the side.

Danny’s wallet, along with all ECS store keys were also in the car, so their shops opened late today as they had to deal with the police.

Janel says:

I got home from foundation interviewing last night around 9:30pm.

It is up for debate, but looks like I may have left the garage open. Someone came into our gararge which is like a huge rec room, took the 42-inch TV off the wall, lined our tools up nicely after doing so, loaded it up in Danny’s Tahoe and drove off. They went through the garage because they also stole a Roger Clemons signed baseball that was in the very back of the garage on a shelf. They had to climb over all the cove to clover stuff stacked up from this weekend – so very bold! Danny’s wallet and all store keys were in the car. So ECS opened late today as we were with the police for an hour or so.

If anyone sees 1998 Chevy Tahoe 2-door limited with the Emerald City Smoothie Burien logo on the side call 911 immediately.

We know they tried using credit cards in Des Moines and Seattle so far.

Here are some photos of their SUV from when it got hit at the Safeway parking lot in December, showing the color and style of the vehicle, along with the ECS logos:

The license # is: W3066A, and it’s a Washington Huskies plate.

So please keep your eyes out for their distinctive SUV, and if you see anything suspicious call 911 immediately.

by Scott Schaefer

Just days after her husband passed away, a 75-year old Burien widow was the victim of a telephone scam, and she wants our Readers to know how she was recently duped into sending money to a man she “thought she knew, but didn’t,” in Nogales, Mexico.

During the first phone call, received Tuesday, Feb. 15, the man fished for information from the woman, speaking in Spanish and asking her excitedly, “you know who this is, right?” She guessed by mentioning the name of a Mexican relative, and he claimed that, yes indeed, he was that very same man, and that he was driving “all the way up from Mexico just to see” her.

The next day, the scammer called the woman’s daughter and told her he had been in an accident. She was initially convinced it was the relative, since her Mother had told her about the man’s first phone call the day before. The fact that the man didn’t speak any English didn’t arouse much suspicion, as the daughter chalked that up to his stress from being in an accident.

However, the relative that the scammer was claiming to be also speaks fluent English, yet this man didn’t – a definite red flag.

The man was able to convince them both that he had been in an accident. The scammer claimed that he had two checks in his possession – for $4,000 and $3,000 (US) – but that he couldn’t cash either until he crossed the border and found a US bank. He then asked her for money to pay for the repairs on the car he hit, initially asking for “a couple thousand dollars.” She said she didn’t have that much. He then asked how much she could send, and she told him $180. The man quickly agreed to that amount.

She then wired $180 via Western Union to a woman in Nogales, Mexico named “Georgina Zamora Palafox,” who the man claimed was the woman in the accident whose car he hit. Western Union has since confirmed that the person who claimed the money was indeed that woman, and that she used a matching picture ID.

Later that day, the scammer called back and asked her to send him more. The victim said she didn’t have any more to send, but that her daughter might be able to help.

The victim, now getting suspicious, called the alleged man’s Mother in Mexico City to confirm that the man was who he said he was. When his Mother told her that the man was not traveling, was at home with his wife, she realized she had been scammed.

The woman’s daughter also talked to the man and he gave her a phone number to call back. Since this scam has been revealed, the man dialed the victim back several times today. She didn’t answer her phone, but recorded the number from Caller ID. Burien Police were unable to be on the scene to answer any of his calls on Thursday (Feb. 17).

“This man is missing his calling,” the victim said. “He should be an actor! He simulated realistic stress and excitement over the alleged accident very well. He also simulated affection and concern for the loss of my husband and for the pain I was in.”

Burien Police have been contacted, and the victim will soon be contacting the state Attorney General and the FBI.

For more information on how to detect, avoid and report telephone scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website here, or the FBI’s here.