White Center Now: The blog about White Center

As we first reported here and here), a serial robber has been at work in the White Center area – and further north, with last Wednesday’s holdup at the 30th/Roxbury 76 station. Today, the King County Sheriff’s Office released surveillance photos, with this information:

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:

*Black, 35- 40 years of age, 5’11” – 6’0”, medium build
*Had darker black patch of skin under left eye
*Long, narrow face, Deep voice

The above-pictured suspect robbed four mini marts between January 11 and February 1, 2013.

His MO is to display a black semi-automatic handgun, possibly a Glock, and demand cash from the register. If you have information regarding the possible identity of the suspect, please contact the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.

We are checking with KCSO to see if the photos are available in any higher resolution/size.

P.S. Remember that the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s Public Safety Forum – including an update on local crime trends, certainly including this case – is just two days away, Thursday at 7 pm at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenbridge (9800 8th SW).

Earlier this week, we reported on Wednesday night’s holdup at the 30th/Roxbury 76 station, believed to be the work of a man who had robbed at least two other area businesses. Late last night, according to King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Patrick McCurdy, a robber believed to be “the same suspect” struck again, this time at Rainbow Mini-Mart, SW 116th and 16th SW (map) – disguised by a hood and bandana, armed with a semi-automatic handgun. No other details so far; we’ll continue to follow up with KCSO.

P.S. As reported here earlier this week, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s public-safety forum is coming up this Thursday, 7 pm at the Boys and Girls Club’s Joe Thomas Room at Greenbridge (9800 8th SW), and this is likely to be part of the briefing by KCSO reps, just one of the scheduled agenda items – details on the NHUAC website.

Crime trends, crime prevention, and more – all in one place, one night, at the next North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Public Safety Forum, one week from tonight – 7 pm Thursday, February 7th. New location – here’s the full announcement:

Please plan on joining us for a Public Safety Forum on Thursday, Feb 7 at 7 pm at the Boys & Girls Club, 9800 8th Ave. SW in the Joe Thomas Room (behind the Greenbridge Library)

We are pleased to be hosting:
Sgt. Henry McLauchan of the King County Sheriff’s Dept. who will give a special presentation on the “Broken Windows Theory” and discuss how graffiti and other types of vandalism impact our community, as well as steps we can take to prevent and offset these problems.

Meet our new Liquor Control Enforcement Officer Lt. Tim Thompson who will provide updates regarding the states new marijuana legislation, as well as information regarding private liquor sales and distribution since the passage of 1-1183.

Chris Cody, owner of Herban Legends Collective in White Center, will fill us in on how citizens can get involved in the marijuana legislative process.

Nicki Maraulja, Crime Prevention Community Service Officer, will provide information to help you get started on forming a Block Watch – the effective program based on the principle that neighbors working together are the first and best line of defense against crime.

White Center Storefront Deputy BJ Myers will provide updates on crime trends in the North Highline area and take questions regarding neighborhood concerns.

All are welcome.

Raffle items and light snacks provided.

3:01 AM: King County Sheriff’s Office deputies converged on the 30th/Roxbury 76 station Wednesday night, investigating a reported armed robbery. This area has had other robberies lately, on the Seattle side of the boundary – at the 35th/Roxbury strip mall, a beverage/tobacco shop was held up a week and a half ago, and at nearby Roxhill Park, two recent armed robberies were reported – with middle-schoolers the victims.

UPDATE: KCSO Sgt. Patrick McCurdy says this might be linked to other robberies in the county: They believe the same robber hit the Texaco and Zip Mart (in White Center) “within the last week to week and a half.” They think he got away in a car but don’t have a description of it yet. The robber is described as a black man in his late 30s to early 40s, medium build, 5’10”, 190 pounds, and Sgt. McCurdy adds, “In all of the circumstances, the suspect had his face covered, probably with a bandana. One of the robberies occurred in the early morning hours (around 4:00 am or so), and the other two occurred close to 10:00 PM. In all robberies, the suspect displayed a small black semi-automatic handgun.”

We’ve received an open letter to the White Center community from U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan. You can read it in its entirety here; it’s not in a format where the full text can be cut/pasted, or we’d do that too. Here are the highlights she lists, as “an update on the collaborative public-safety eforts in the White Center area”:

She writes that the 25 federal defendants from 2011’s “Center of Attention” operation have “nearly all … been convicted and sentenced.” 21 of them, she writes, have been sentenced to prison, “including significant prison time for defendants selling large amounts of dangerous drugs and firearms.” She says the total prison time amounts to nearly 115 years.

26 state prosecutions resulted, she said, with “some (resulting) in guilty findings while many are still pending.”

In other federal prosecutions, she mentions last month’s sentencing of former GAME Lounge marijuana establishment owner Brionne Corbray to six onths of federal probation after his guilty plea (here’s our report from partner site West Seattle Blog), and a recent conviction for an armed robber who held up the Chase bank at 100th and 16th.

Durkan closes the letter by lauding White Center for its “engaged residents who care deeply about the future of White Center … an incredibly vibrant and active community …”

ADDED: Thanks to Thomas Bates from the US Attorney’s Office for sending the plain text version, in case you can’t open the PDF – read on: Read the rest of this entry »

Back on Tuesday, we reported on a drug investigation with search warrants served at locations including one in White Center, and King County Sheriff’s Office said more details would be forthcoming. Today, a news release and photos bring those details:

An 8-month investigation conducted by the King County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the seizure of narcotics, guns, money and the arrest of 8 people for trafficking narcotics.

The investigation started in April when detectives learned that about a narcotics dealer that had the reputation of selling high-quality cocaine and heroin in the Burien area. Detectives learned that the suspect had been sought by investigators before for dealing narcotics but would shut down his operation when he suspected police were closing in.

Detectives spent months conducting surveillance on the suspect’s residence and other locations they learned were connected to the operation. On Wednesday the King County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants on six locations including a residence in the 1600 blk of SW116 St. in Burien and a residence in the 1200 blk of SW107th St. The other locations included a residence and storage unit in Renton, and a house in Federal Way.

8 adults, 7 of them family members were arrested in the raids and 6 children were placed in CPS custody.

In total, items seized were:

1.25 pound of cocaine with a street value of $22,000

6 ounces of heroin with a street value of $2,000

$65,371 in US Currency

5 firearms all of which appeared to be packaged for transport into Mexico

5 vehicles valued at $60,000

We received multiple inquiries this morning about what looked like some type of SWAT operation near 12th and 107th – with a loud explosive-type sound at one point. Here’s what we were able to find out from King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West: She says detectives served five search warrants this morning, including that one, plus one near the 1600 block of SW 116th in north Burien, and the other three at residences in Federal Way and Renton as well as a storage facility near Renton. Sgt. West adds: “The focus was a narcotics ring involving family members … several people were arrested, some guns and money were recovered, as well as quite a few ounces of cocaine and some heroin.” One of the neighbors we heard from says a deputy told him the explosive sound was a “flash-bang” device often used in such situations to startle occupants and assist officers with carrying out the operation safely. Sgt. West hopes to get more information tomorrow.

(SPD, KCSO cars near the scene)
Thanks to those who tipped us about Seattle Police out in force on the White Center side of 16th and Roxbury – and beyond. They’re involved right now with a robbery investigation involving the gold-buying store on the southwest corner of the intersection. Though that store is on the county side, the call apparently came first to SPD, according to King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, who says this is all still unfolding, so full details won’t be available till later. A vehicle description went out and SPD wound up involved with stopping that vehicle in Burien, around 139th and Ambaum, where, Sgt. West says, at least two people are in custody. More later.

Less than a week after Seattle Police stopped West Seattle package-theft suspects in White Center, the King County Sheriff’s Office is reporting arrests for the same type of crime. Deputy B.J. Myers reports two people were arrested in Shorewood, in the 10700 block of 26th SW, around 9 o’clock this morning. They were seen “looking in mailboxes along 26th SW,” according to Deputy Myers, who describes them as a 31-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman. He adds:

Just before deputies arrived, the witness watched the suspects take packages from a porch and begin walking away. When the marked KCSO vehicle came around the corner, the suspects threw the packages over a wooden fence hoping they would avoid arrest. The suspects were arrested and the stolen property was returned to the owner. The US Postal Service also sent out an investigator to coordinate with KCSO. It is unknown at this time if these two suspects are involved in any other mail or package thefts.

As we reported Monday on partner site West Seattle Blog, three of the four men SPD arrested last Friday at 16th/Roxbury were released from jail the next day, while Seattle city prosecutors continue investigating that case.

FIRST REPORT, 11:31 AM: We received multiple reports of gunfire heard in the early morning hours – and finally have some information, via a reader report. A neighbor writes:

In the middle of the night last night (midnight), 4 gunshots heard in front of my house on 14th Ave SW. Cops came within minutes, helicopter circled, neighbors all outside found nothing, and we went back inside. Around 2 am, 7 more shots. This time the cops were here hiding outside, and they say it was an AK47. It hit a nearby house, and the bullets went through 4 walls before lodging in the shower.

The neighbor, who is south of 114th, says deputies have been back and report no arrests yet, but last night, the deputies said they thought the suspects had headed north, and that they believe the specific residence was targeted. We have messages out to try to find out more directly from KCSO and will update with anything we get.

UPDATE, 9:29 PM: KCSO’s Sgt. Cindi West has been looking into this for us and here’s what she reports:

About 12:02 AM, numerous residents in the 11400 block of 14 Ave SW reported hearing shots. Deputies and Guardian one responded to the area and did not locate any victims or suspects. A couple people reported hearing a vehicle speeding away from the area.

1:58 AM – more 911 calls reporting shots in the same area. Deputies were in the area and heard the shots. One house in the area was struck multiple times. At least one of the bullets went into the interior living area of the house. One person was at the house at the time of the incident. No one was injured.

At around 4:18 AM, we received two more 911 calls of people hearing shots. The callers were calling from the area of the 200 block of SW 108th and 500 block SW 106th. No reports of injuries or damage on this one right now.

We do not know what kind of weapon it was. We did not catch anyone and we will have to process the evidence recovered on the second call to see what we find. One deputy reported that he thought it sounded like a rifle.

We don’t know at this time why that specific house was hit or if it was specifically targeted.

Last year’s “Operation Center of Attention“ has led to another conviction and sentencing. Here’s the announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

A 35-year-old Yakima, Washington resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. ANTONIO TORRES-MAGANA, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested in September 2011, and pleaded guilty in April 2012. TORRES-MAGANA was arrested after he arrived at a drug deal with more than three pounds of highly pure methamphetamine in the trunk of his car. U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik imposed the sentence. The case was part of the White Center Initiative in the fall of 2011.

According to records filed in the case, an undercover officer contacted a source in Mexico about obtaining methamphetamine. The source in Mexico claimed a cousin in Yakima, Washington could provide the drugs. Just days later, the undercover officer was contacted by an associate of TORRES-MAGANA who said they were leaving Yakima, headed to Seattle to do the drug deal.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Margaret Ryan was remembered tonight in downtown White Center as a community champion and good friend. Two and a half weeks after Ms. Ryan was murdered, a plaque in her honor was dedicated in the planting area on the southeast corner of 16th and Roxbury, during a candlelight ceremony.

Aileen Sison and Vera Johnson had organized the tribute. They both shared memories, as did others including White Center Chamber of Commerce president Mark Ufkes, and Ms. Ryan’s youngest son Patrick Lamb, who said his mom was working to help make connections in the community, and everyone coming together in this way was a sign that she had make connections happen.

Ms. Ryan’s 42-year-old son Brodie Lamb is charged with first-degree murder in her death; he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment this past Thursday.

Thursday morning, murder victim Margaret Ryan‘s 42-year-old son Brodie Lamb appeared in King County Superior Court, pleading not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder. He remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says a case-setting hearing is set for December 13th. Before then, friends, family, and community members will gather this Saturday at 4:30 pm for a tribute to Ms. Ryan, right before the 5 pm lighting of the White Center Christmas Tree at Veterans’ Triangle Park. Investigators say Lamb confessed to stabbing his 69-year-old mother to death two weeks ago after breaking through the door of her home when she tried to keep him out.

Just in from King County Sheriff’s Office, that sketch created from the description of the man who raped a woman in her Top Hat home during a home-invasion attack Monday night that also injured her partner. He is described as black, around 20 years old, medium complexion, 5’5 to 5’6, 170 to 180 pounds, wearing a dark gray hoodie at the time. There is no sketch of the other man sought in the incident – he was wearing a mask – but King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West did include a description – black, medium-to-darker complexion, also around 20, six feet tall, “real slim,” wearing a black hoodie at the time and gray shoes, possibly Air Jordans. If you know anything about either one, please call 911.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has announced that it’s charged 42-year-old Brodie Lamb with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his mother, White Center writer/community advocate Margaret Ryan. He is in jail, bail now set at $2 million, with arraignment scheduled on November 29th at the King County Courthouse downtown.

Court documents say that after he called 911 to say he had killed his mother, the operator told him to put the knife in the freezer – and that’s where deputies found it. He is reported to have told detectives that he became frustrated when his mother would not let him in her apartment – from which he had been “trespassed,” in other words, officially ordered not to return, months earlier. So he kicked in the door, got a large kitchen knife, and killed her. Deputies say the door frame was broken completely away. Autopsy results show that Ms. Ryan, 69 years old, was stabbed 18 times, and had wounds on her hands and arms from trying to protect herself against the attack. Court documents say Lamb was found guilty of assaulting his mother in 2008, punching her in the face while she was driving him home. He also, as we reported earlier, has a record of other attacks, with victims including a jail guard and an elderly landlady.

As reported here earlier today, a gathering is planned Monday night for community members to start planning a tribute to Ms. Ryan – details are here.

Monday night, you’re invited to a meeting to help plan a tribute and memorial for Margaret Ryan, the local writer and community advocate murdered at her apartment earlier this week.

On Monday, November 19th at 6:30 pm we are meeting at Mago Signs on 16th SW to begin planning a dedication and memorial planting in honor of Margaret Ryan, who was murdered this week.

This week we lost a very passionate active member of our community. Please join us. Share with us any ideas, suggestions or contributions to honor one of our active members of this community. Potluck dinner. Please bring an item to share. …

This kind of violence happens randomly, in no particular demographic, and to no particular single type of person. This is the result of a disease/illness of the mind and spirit, not a reflection of the community.

Please help us to build strong community by coming together again to honor one of our local fallen heroes who was a victim of violence and say no-we will not let this go by unnoticed and we will unite, standing up against judgement and criticism.

The meeting is at 10032 16th SW. You can RSVP via the Facebook event page, here. Meantime, Ms. Ryan’s 42-year-old son remains jailed in connection with the killing; prosecutors are expected to decide today whether to charge him.

3:23 PM: The 42-year-old suspect in last night’s White Center stabbing death did not appear in court for his bail hearing this afternoon – he waived the right to be present. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe says the judge found probable cause to hold him for investigation of second-degree murder; the victim was the suspect’s 69-year-old mother. His bail is set at $1 million, and KCPAO will have to decide by Friday whether to charge him. As we reported here earlier today, the suspect – who we will not identify until and unless he is charged – has a criminal record including assaults on a jail guard and on a 75-year-old then-landlord.

Last night, it was reported the suspect was visiting his mother when this happened, but documents from the investigation say they actually live together. For reasons not listed, police say, she would not let him into the apartment; he kicked open the door, got a “large knife” from the kitchen, and stabbed her multiple times in the neck.

6:11 PM UPDATE: The victim was identified online earlier today in a story published by a website identifying itself as her employer; that story has since been taken down, and there is no independent corroboration from authorities, so we are removing the reference here, until and unless it reappears.

THURSDAY, 7:42 AM: The report identifying the victim as Margaret Ryan has been republished.

THURSDAY 11:27 AM: Jasmine Brown, Unity Village’s site manager, has posted a clarification in comments:

Margaret Ryan lived alone. Brodie Lamb was NOT a resident at this building. He was trespassed off the property by KC sheriff deputy Duran on 8/29 for public intoxication and unruly conduct. That case number is 12-203108. Lamb was not legally allowed back on the property to visit his mother for a year. All the residents at Unity Village have passed a complete background check. Given Lamb’s criminal history, he would not have met our screening criteria. Now that Ryan’s family has been notified, if you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me at: unityvillage@live.com

(STORY UPDATED WEDNESDAY with information on suspect’s record)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:58 PM: A helicopter’s been seen over the area, and we believe it’s linked to a stabbing reported at 13th/100th in White Center. According to King County Sheriff’s Office via Twitter, the suspect is the victim’s son.

6:14 PM: Lots of officers – and media – there, our crew reports, including KCSO media liaison Sgt. Cindi West, so we will have updates from her shortly. She had reported originally that the victim was undergoing CPR. This is at the Unity Village complex that opened a year ago.

6:18 PM: Sgt. West (above) says the victim is dead. She is 69 years old and lived at the complex. Her 42-year-old son is the suspect; he reportedly was visiting, and Sgt. West says he is the one who called 911 to report he had stabbed his mother.

11:59 PM: The suspect has been booked into the King County Jail. A quick check of court records shows that his background includes assault and domestic-violence cases. Court paperwork is not available at this hour, though, so we don’t know if any prior cases involved his mother.

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: So far, the cases we have reviewed included guilty pleas to assaults on a jail guard and a 75-year-old landlady – these in the past few years. In the court documents for the latter case, a girlfriend was quoted as describing the suspect as “paranoid schizophrenic,” and there are other documents mentioning mental-health commitment situations.

Just received from King County Sheriff’s Office media liaison Sgt. Cindi West, an update on last night’s attack in Top Hat, including descriptions of the men deputies are looking for:

A man was pistol whipped and his girlfriend sexually assaulted during a home invasion robbery that occurred overnight in the Top Hat area of King County.

Last night around 8:40 deputies responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the 10800 block of 6 Ave S. When deputies arrived they contacted a 23 year old man who said when he got home he saw two men near his apartment. He said the men pulled handguns and forced him into his apartment.

Once inside the apartment the suspects ordered the victim and his 23 year old girlfriend, who was home with her young son, to get on the ground. One of the suspects pistol whipped the male on the back of the head. One of the suspects sexually assaulted the female at gunpoint while the other suspect ransacked the house.

The victim’s 18 month old son was asleep on the couch and did not wake up during the incident.

The suspects are described as;

#1. Black male, approximately 5’9, 195 lbs with a “buzz” haircut. He was last seen wearing a mask over the bottom half of his face and gray shoes. (no age yet)

#2. Black male, approximately 5’5”, 180, last seen wearing a gray zip up shirt, with a black shirt underneath, blue jeans, and a black belt. (no age yet)

Detectives said there appears to be no relationship between the victims and suspects. Investigators are trying to determine why this house was targeted and what items were taken from the residence.

Two men are being sought for a robbery, rape, and assault reported at a home in Top Hat, according to our partners at The Seattle Times. The two are reported to have attacked a man outside the home, then forced their way in, raped a woman, and ransacked the house before getting away. No word on the victims’ conditions; we’ll be following up with the King County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating. This is reported to have happened in the 10800 block of 6th S., which is part of unincorporated North Highline (though it was widely and erroneously reported by regional media last night as being in Burien).