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Magnolia Area Burglaries Dear Magnolia Residents, This week, one of our local television stations aired a story about crime in your neighborhood. I would like to follow-up with you to let you know what the West Precinct has been and is currently doing regarding the reported burglaries and also ask for your assistance. There were approximately eight (8) residential burglaries reported in December within the area of focus on the included map. There have been eight (8) residential burglaries thus far in January within the same geographical area. The area is between the Magnolia Bridge on the south, West Viewmont Way W. on the west, W. Commodore Way on the north, and 20th Ave. W. on the east. Entry has been accomplished by several methods, which include prying open and/or kicking doors, breaking a window, or entering through an unlocked door or window. Suspects are stealing mainly electronic items including laptop computers, MP3 devices, plasma televisions, jewelry, and video game consoles. Our residential Crime Prevention Coordinator has begun meeting with local block watches. The most recent meeting was held Wednesday evening. We will continue to work with the local block watch captains to keep your neighborhood informed. The West Precinct Burglary Unit and Crime Analyst have reviewed the crime reports and have provided our patrol officers with information about the burglaries in the area. The patrol sergeants are briefing our officers and requesting they spend additional time in Magnolia. I am seeking your assistance in being as vigilant as possible to call 911 as you drive through the area to and from work, school, and errands in order to report suspicious circumstances, unusual vehicles or individuals on your block and in your neighborhood. In the early evening of Wednesday January 9th, we responded to two burglaries in Magnolia several blocks from each other. Two suspects were seen running from the backyard of one of the homes. The first patrol Officer arrived within one minute of the 911 call and directed additional Officers to quickly set up containment. A K9 Officer responded and attempted to track the suspects with his police dog. Unfortunately, no suspects were arrested. The suspect descriptions vary in the four reported incidents which included sightings or possible sightings. They range from 2-4 white or hispanic males in their teens or early twenties with a height of 5’3”-5’6”. The clothing descriptions of the two males who ran from the scene Wednesday evening were a black or blue hooded sweatshirt or jacket and the other a grey hooded sweatshirt with white striped knee-length shorts. I would like to provide some clarification about the story which aired this week. The broadcast story indicated that the neighborhood was hit by a rash of robberies, likely leading observers to conclude that the suspects have confronted their victims and taken their property by force or threatened use of violence. The incidents have been residential burglaries in which the suspect or suspects have unlawfully entered a residence while no one was home and removed property. What may seem an innocuous distinction, the difference the impact certain terminology has within an affected community has a direct impact on the level of fear generated. The Police Officer who responded to the home referenced in the story surveyed the crime scene, wrote an incident report detailing what occurred, but couldn’t fully complete the investigation since the homeowner was not at home while he was on-scene (a neighbor discovered the damage while the homeowner was away). A detective later responded to the home and collected physical evidence once we were made aware that the resident had returned home. We will continue to diligently work this burglary pattern until a suspect is identified and arrested. With your assistance we will develop the information to make an apprehension and file criminal charges on the suspect. This information, the map of the affected area, and any future updates will be posted beginning this evening at www.seattle.gov/police/precincts/west. If you or your neighbors within the affected area have a question, please feel free to contact Lt. Jim Dermody, West Precinct Operations, at 206-684-8718. Sincerely,
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