Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts

Bank manager in Battle Ground WA stole $1.2 million from unsuspecting customers

Friday, October 13, 2023

Battle Ground is in Clark County near the Columbia River
Google maps
Tacoma –A 44-year-old former bank manager from Battle Ground, Clark County, Washington, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. 

Brian Davie, a former branch manager at Wells Fargo, used unauthorized cash withdrawals, money transfers, and cashier’s checks to steal over $1 million. 

Davie targeted elderly and vulnerable customers. Eight victims have been identified. One woman had more than $566,000 stolen from her retirement accounts. Davie is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on January 2, 2024.

Davie worked for Wells Fargo in Battle Ground from March of 2014 until he was fired in June 2019. 

According to records in the case, Davie used his position as a manager at the branch to conduct unauthorized transactions. Davie had access to customer files containing information about bank account balances. 

Davie hid his criminal activity by repeatedly exchanging cashier’s checks until they were small enough to cash without triggering banking reporting requirements.

Davie continued undetected because he stole from elderly customers who might be less likely to closely monitor their account balances. Some of Davie’s victims had dementia or had limited English skills and did not understand banking transactions. 

In at least one case, Davie failed to file the paperwork to install a victim’s relative as a co-signer on the victim’s accounts. That failure prevented the relative from being able to monitor the account and detect the fraudulent transactions.

Davie deposited some of the stolen money in an account he created in the name of a relative’s business. He made some of the cashier’s checks payable to that relative or to the business account he created. Much of the money was withdrawn as cash.

In all Davie embezzled S1,279,840 from victim accounts. Wells Fargo reimbursed victims for their losses. Judge Settle will determine the amount of restitution at sentencing.

Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a four-year prison sentence. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Settle who will consider a number of statutory factors before determining the appropriate sentence.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Wells Fargo investigation team. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Dillon


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Snohomish man sentenced to 17 years in prison for drug, gun, and murder-for-hire related charges

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Tacoma – A Snohomish, Washington, man who was rearrested following his sentencing in a drug trafficking scheme, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for charges including attempting to hire a hitman to kill a witness in his case, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.

Michael John Scott, 44, was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, Use of Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder for Hire, and Tampering with a Witness, Victim, or Informant. 

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan said, “Mr. Scott had a long history of drug dealing capped by using interstate facilities to attempt to commit murder for hire and tampering with a witness.” Judge Bryan called these crimes “most serious offenses.”

Scott was sentenced in January 2020 to 78 months in prison for dealing fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine. 

According to documents filed with the court, as Scott was awaiting sentencing for his earlier drug distribution crimes, he continued to set up drug deals. Prior to Scott being remanded to custody for his 78-month sentence, he attempted to execute a drug deal. 

On January 30, 2020, he was arrested as he arrived to sell fentanyl pills to a person in Whatcom County. That person was working with law enforcement.

Following the January 2020 arrest, while in custody at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac, Washington, Scott agreed to pay an associate $2,000 if he would assist Scott in finding a hitman to kill a witness against him and an associate of that witness. 

Scott said he would pay $10,000 each for the murders. Scott told his associate that he wanted the deaths to appear to be fentanyl overdoses. 

In June and July 2021, Scott wrote letters disguised as ‘legal mail’ to the person he thought was the hitman and to a friend he wanted to handle payment for the crimes. Through that friend, Scott made the upfront agreed upon payment to someone who he believed to be a hitman.

Scott pleaded guilty in June 2019 for his role in U.S. v Hernandez et al, a 32-defendant drug trafficking case that was unsealed in December 2018. 

Scott was a high-volume redistributor of fentanyl-laced imitation oxycodone pills and cocaine, who delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to his cartel suppliers for the drugs–sometimes as much as $150,000 at a time. 

When Scott’s home was searched in December 2018, law enforcement recovered illegal drugs, more than $40,000 in cash, and other tools of the drug trade.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Max Shiner.


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Collision and shooting investigation in Lake Forest Park

Thursday, September 28, 2023

On September 27, 2023, at approximately 9:11am, Lake Forest Park Police patrol officers were dispatched to a multi-vehicle collision in the 14700 block of Bothell Way NE.

As officers arrived at a chaotic scene, the call was updated to report shots may have been fired and an RV was seen fleeing southbound into Seattle.

A short time later, Seattle Police located the RV in the 13700 block of 27th Ave NE. The RV driver was located inside the RV, and despite life saving measures provided by first responders, he was declared deceased at the scene.

Preliminary investigation showed the parties involved had been attempting to recover their stolen vehicle when the driver of the RV attempted to use the RV to stop the recovery.

Shots were fired into the RV, which fled, striking several vehicles, in several locations, before coming to a stop in Seattle. The subject who fired at the RV was detained and all involved vehicles on scene were secured until search warrants can be obtained.

Anyone with information, including witnesses and any available video, is asked to contact the Lake Forest Park Police Department through Bothell PD dispatch, 425-486-1254. Reference case number 2023-07315

The investigation is active and ongoing with the assistance of the Coalition of Small Police Agencies (CSPA) Major Crimes Task Force (CSPA-MCTF), the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) and the Seattle Police Department (SPD). The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was notified and responded to assist the investigators.

The Lake Forest Park Police Department is a state accredited police agency serving the citizens of the city of Lake Forest Park in King County, Washington. It is a partner agency in the Coalition of Small Police Agencies (CSPA) of King County.


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Stabbing at 13400 Roosevelt Way NE

Stabbing in the 13400 block of Roosevelt Way N.

At 04:53am on Sunday, September 24, 2023, Seattle police officers responded to reports of a stabbing in the 13400 block of Roosevelt Way North. 

Upon arrival, they found a male victim who sustained non-life-threatening stab wounds. 

Immediate medical assistance was provided at the scene until the Seattle Fire Department arrived and took over. 

The male victim was transported to HMC for his injuries. The suspect was identified but had fled the scene before officers arrived.


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Child pornography investigation in Lake Forest Park

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

On September 27, 2023, detectives with the Lake Forest Park Police Department initiated an arrest and associated search warrant on a resident of Lake Forest Park for Child Pornography. 

North Sound Metro SWAT (NSMS) served the warrant at the residence while the suspect was taken into custody. 

Once the residence was secured, the ICAC Task Force, along with a Coalition of Small Police Agencies (CSPA) Major Crimes Task Force (CSPA-MCTF) Detective and a Lake Forest Park detective, took custody of the residence.

Multiple electronic items of evidence were seized and an initial investigation showed that several of the devices and found images were consistent with Child Pornography. 

A 42-year-old male resident was booked into the King County Jail on charges related to Child Pornography.

The investigation is continuing with the assistance of ICAC.

The Lake Forest Park Police Department is a state accredited police agency serving the citizens of the city of Lake Forest Park in King County, Washington. It is a partner agency in the Coalition of Small Police Agencies (CSPA) of King County.


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Armed robber pursued into Shoreline Saturday morning

Sunday, September 10, 2023

White car driven by suspects was stopped by Snohomish county police on 5th NE at NE 145th in Shoreline early Saturday morning. Photo by Bruce Miller

By Diane Hettrick

Armed robbers struck the Quil Ceda Creek Casino on Tulalip tribal lands in Marysville, Washington early Saturday morning, September 9, 2023.

They fled south on I-5. They were spotted in south Everett by Snohomish County Sheriff's Office deputies who pursued them down I-5 to 145th in Shoreline, where they exited the freeway and turned east.

At least four police departments were involved in the manhunt.
Photo by Bruce Miller

The pursuit was joined by officers from Mountlake Terrace, who recognized the suspect description as being involved in a similar, recent case there, as well as one in Edmonds.

The suspects turned north onto 5th NE and were stopped by Snohomish police performing a PIT maneuver where the car is hit on the side near the rear wheel, causing it to spin to the side and the driver to lose control.

A male passenger was taken into custody at the scene, but the driver ran.

King County police responded from Shoreline and Kenmore

Police blocked the streets near where the suspects were stopped and patrolled the wider area.
Photo by Bruce Miller

Seattle Police responded and helped to block the streets - 5th and 8th, and the 145th overpass 

Officers searched backyards on foot. K9 units assisted. Neighbors report police activity on Meridian as well as in backyards as far north as 155th.

In the end, the suspect eluded police.

However he has been identified.

Tulalip Tribal Police have jurisdiction.


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Homicide in Lake City neighborhood August 28, 2023

Friday, September 8, 2023

By Seattle Officer Shawn Weismiller

Seattle Police Department Homicide detectives are investigating a shooting that left one man deceased in the Lake City neighborhood Monday night August 28, 2023.

Shortly after 11:00pm officers responded to a report of a male shot in the 13700 block of 32nd Ave NE. Police arrived and located a male with a gunshot wound.

Officers attempted life-saving measures until Seattle Fire Department personnel arrived. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. Despite all life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased.

The circumstances that led up to the shooting are unknown at this time.

Members of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Homicide detectives responded to the scene. The Homicide Unit will be leading the investigation.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, please call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.


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Seattle police investigate a shooting at Haller Lake; find body the next day at North Seattle College

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Photo courtesy Seattle PD
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Seattle police received a 911 call about a deceased subject found in the 9600 block of College Way N. (North Seattle College) Officers arrived around 8:00am and located the deceased male with signs of trauma.

Police have determined the man found was involved with a shooting incident from the day before, when around 10am a passerby called 911 to report a shooting that occurred in Haller Lake.

When officers arrived in the 11600 block of Aurora Ave N, (Home Deport) they found evidence of a shooting but no victim of the assault.

After speaking with witnesses in the area, it appears the suspect had left the location in a vehicle, a gold Dodge Grand Caravan, with another subject who appeared to be unconscious.

Further investigation led to the identity of the suspect, which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle in Federal Way at about 5pm.

The 40-year-old male was arrested for assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was booked into King County Jail. However, after today’s investigation, the requested charges have been updated to murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Homicide detectives continue to investigate this case.

If anyone has information about this incident, please call SPD’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.


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Shooting in Lynnwood park leaves one dead, one in hospital with critical injuries

Silver 2012 Toyota Tundra
Lynnwood police detectives are investigating a shooting which occurred at Lynndale Park
18927 72nd Ave W, Lynnwood WA 98036 on Monday, September 4, 2023.

Five males between the ages of 17 and 20 were involved. One is deceased. Two were transported to nearby hospital. One of them, who is a minor, remains hospitalized with critical injuries.

Lynnwood police state that they can confirm this shooting does not appear to be gang related. 

A Silver 2012 Toyota Tundra has been taken in custody as evidence. Detectives are requesting anyone with any information of sightings of this specific vehicle recently to contact detectives at 425-670-5633.


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Auburn man sentenced to 18 years in prison for leading Proud Boys in breach of U.S. Capitol on January 6th

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Auburn resident Ethan Nordean
WASHINGTON – Two former leaders of the Proud Boys organization were sentenced Friday on multiple felony charges related to their roles in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. 

Their actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes necessary to certify the 2020 presidential election.

  • Ethan Nordean, 32, of Auburn, Washington, was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 36 months of supervised release.
  • Dominic Pezzola, 45, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 36 months of supervised release.

On May 4, 2023, a jury found Nordean, Pezzola, and three other co-defendants guilty of multiple felonies, including obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to prevent members of Congress or federal officers from discharging their duties before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Defendant Ethan Nordean was previously convicted of seditious conspiracy.

According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, the Proud Boys organization had played a significant and often violent role in prior Washington, D.C. rallies in November and December 2020. 

In the aftermath of that violent conduct, Nordean and other co-defendants served as members and leaders of a special chapter of the Proud Boys known as the “Ministry of Self-Defense.”

Beginning after December 19, 2020, Nordean, Pezzola, and other co-defendants conspired to prevent, hinder, and delay the certification of the Electoral College vote and to oppose by force the authority of the government of the United States.

In the days leading to January 6, Nordean and other leaders of the Ministry of Self-Defense hand-selected co-defendant Dominic Pezzola and others known as “rally boys” to participate in the attack on the Capitol that day. 

This group established a chain of command, chose a time and place for their attack, and recruited others who would follow their top-down leadership and who were prepared to engage in physical violence if necessary.
  • On January 6, Nordean, Pezzola, and others they led participated in every consequential breach at the Capitol. The defendants directed and mobilized a group of Proud Boys onto the Capitol grounds, leading to the dismantling of metal barricades, destruction of property, breaching of the Capitol building, and assaults on law enforcement.
  • The group began their assault that day at 10am. when Nordean and others marched nearly 200 individuals away from speeches at the Ellipse directly toward the Capitol. They arrived at the First Street gate at 12:50pm.
  • Nordean, Pezzola, and other co-defendants led their recruits up the First Street walkway, breaching multiple barricades and tearing down fencing.
  • Nearly an hour later, when law enforcement appeared to have successfully controlled the crowd by pushing them back, the men again pushed forward.
  • Nordean, Pezzola, and others gathered at the base of the concrete stairs that led to the doors and windows of the Capitol with many of their co-conspirators and other men they had led to the Capitol. 
  • The group again surged toward the Capitol and overwhelmed officers who had been battling the crowd for nearly an hour. Pezzola smashed open a window allowing the first rioters to enter the Capitol at 2:11pm.

During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly applied the enhancement for a federal crime of terrorism to the defendants convictions for destruction of government property.

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The charges in the investigation are the result of significant cooperation between agents and staff across numerous FBI Field Offices and law enforcement agencies.

In the 31 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,106 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov


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Seattle detectives investigating homicide in Lake City neighborhood

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Photo courtesy Seattle Police Department
By Officer Shawn Weismiller

Seattle Police Department Homicide detectives are investigating a shooting that left one man deceased in the Lake City neighborhood Monday night, August 28, 2023

Shortly after 11:00pm, officers responded to a report of a male shot in the 13700 block of 32nd Ave NE. Police arrived and located a male with a gunshot wound.

Officers attempted life-saving measures until Seattle Fire Department personnel arrived. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. Despite all life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased.

The circumstances that led up to the shooting are unknown at this time.

Members of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Homicide detectives responded to the scene. The Homicide Unit will be leading the investigation.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, please call the Seattle PD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.



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City of Lake Forest Park offers locking mailbox program to residents of single family homes including duplex and triplex

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

The City of Lake Forest Park is very interested in reducing mail theft within our community. 

The Locking Mailbox Program is intended to further this goal by making our property owners aware of the value of locking mailboxes for deterring theft and by helping minimize the burdens of cost and installation of a locking mailbox.

Who Can Participate?

Property owners of single-family residential units (including duplexes and triplexes) are eligible to participate in the program. Tenants may also participate with written permission from their landlord (necessary as the mailbox will be owned by the property owner). Mailboxes are available on a first come first served basis and limited to one mailbox per addressed residence within the City of Lake Forest Park.

What are the Program Details?

Property owners may sign up for the program by submitting a completed application, including payment, to City Hall. Applications are available Applications are available here or in-person at City Hall in Town Center.

A mailbox will be reserved upon receipt of a complete application and payment. Once the city has received a significant number of applications, we will place a bulk order for mailboxes. Once we receive the mailboxes, you will be contacted to pick yours up.

The Mail Boss 7500 Mail Manager Pro in black has been selected for the program based on durability, security, product warranty, and price. 

The mailbox will cost $121.44, which includes $11 shipping and $11.24 sales tax, which is significantly lower than the retail cost of $160. Payments can be made in person by cash, card*, or check (*additional service fee applies).

The program also provides the opportunity for free installation of the mailbox through the Lake Forest Park Rotary Club. Upon installation, the mailbox and related support structure become the complete responsibility of the property owner.

For questions regarding the program or assistance with filling out the application, contact City Hall at 206-368-5440.

Updated article to include sales tax in the cost of a box.

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Police report for Lake Forest Park July 2023

Sunday, August 27, 2023


Police incidents heatmap for July 2023: Each blue dot is an incident generated by dispatch or an officer. This map represents 229 incidents in July.
  • Suspicious Circumstances 63 
  • Parking 24 
  • Welfare Check 22 
  • Alarm 20 
  • Warrant LFP 17 
  • Theft 15 
  • Disturbance 15 
  • Traffic Accident 13 
  • Trespass 10 
  • Animal 7 
  • Graffiti 7 
  • MV Theft 6 
  • Fireworks 6 
  • Hit and Run 4
Notable Incidents in July
  • A Lyft driver reported an incident of ID theft and fraud to the police. According to the driver, someone claiming to be a "Lyft Manager" had reached out to him and requested his personal information. Subsequently, the driver discovered that he had fallen victim to identity theft.
  • Officers responded to a residential burglary where the suspect was able to open the garage door and steal some items from the garage. No leads at this time.
  • The police received calls from concerned citizens regarding an "artist" playing the flute using a speaker at the ARCO station. When the gas station employee requested her to leave, the artist refused. However, the officers were successful in persuading the artist that the ARCO station was not an appropriate venue for her performance, and she eventually moved along.
  • Officers assisted Bothel PD officers with a residential burglary in progress.
  • A subject tried to leave Ross with a shopping cart full of unpaid merchandise. As soon as the subject saw our officers approaching the store, he decided to drop the shopping cart and run.
  • Officers recovered a stolen vehicle on 191st Street.
  • Officers were able to catch a dog who had decided to go for a run without the owner.
  • A smart car driver was pulled over on Bothell Way NE for excessively speeding at a staggering 80 mph. Due to the dangerous and reckless behavior, the driver was promptly arrested and issued a citation for Reckless Driving.
  • Officers were dispatched to conduct a welfare check, and upon reaching the location, they discovered that the individual in question had passed away approximately 10 days prior to the welfare check call. There were no signs of foul play, and the likely cause of death appeared to be related to medical issues.
  • Officers responded to a disturbance call at Mod Pizza. A transient who was carrying a knife was harassing some customers. He was arrested and trespassed.
  • Officers trespassed from Planet Fitness a subject who was caught smoking methamphetamine in the gym bathroom.
  • Officers responded to a hit and run incident where a driver hit a mailbox and a street sign. No leads at this time.

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Former Bellevue resident wanted by the FBI

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Seattle – The FBI has issued a ‘Wanted Poster’ for Volodimyr Pigida. In December 2022, Volodimyr Pigida, a Miami resident who previously resided in Bellevue, Washington, was found guilty by a jury in the Western District of Washington of 26 felony counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and bankruptcy fraud,among other crimes.

In his over $11 million dollar Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of victims, Volodimyr Pigida and his wife operated a ‘work-at-home’ email scheme named Trend Sound Promoter that ultimately crashed – but not before the two raided the company’s accounts to purchase homes, expensive cars, and a yacht.

On August 4, 2023, Pigida failed to appear at his sentencing hearing. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips@fbi.gov.


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Seattle detectives investigating homicide in North Seattle

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Photo courtesy Seattle Police
By Seattle Police Officer 
Shawn Weismiller

Seattle Police Department Homicide detectives are investigating a shooting that left one man deceased in North Seattle Wednesday morning.

Shortly before 12:30am on August 16, 2023 officers responded to a report of a male shot near the intersection of N 104th St and Aurora Ave N. 

Police arrived and located a 31-year-old male with a gunshot wound.

Officers attempted life-saving measures until Seattle Fire Department personnel arrived. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. Despite all life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased.

The circumstances that led up to the shooting are unknown at this time.

Members of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Homicide detectives responded to the scene. The Homicide Unit will be leading the investigation.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, please call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.


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Police pursuit early Tuesday morning for armed suspect who threatened ex-girlfriend and stole her car

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Around 12:52am on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, the King County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received a 911 call from the location of the 16100 block of Greenwood Ave N near Shoreline Community College.

The caller reported a male stole his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle and threatened to kill her and her roommate.

The caller reported the ex-boyfriend was in possession of a handgun. Deputies responded, but the male had already left and crashed the victim’s vehicle at a different location and then fled on foot. 

KCSO’s K9 Unit and other KCSO Deputies from our surrounding contract cities responded to track for the suspect. 

While tracking,  another vehicle came and picked up the suspect and a short pursuit ensued. Two deputies pitted the vehicle and the suspect vehicle crashed in Edmonds. Edmonds police spokesperson Comm. Josh McClure confirmed that crash occurred at the intersection of 228th St SW and 76th Ave W.

During the pursuit, there was a pursuit-related collision involving a KCSO vehicle at 223rd St SW and Highway 99, also in Edmonds.

Four occupants fled on foot.  One person was detained, but three others escaped and are still outstanding, including the primary suspect.


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Orca statue stolen from Richmond Beach Community Park

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

STOLEN!
From the Board of the Richmond Beach Community Association

Sometime during the weekend of August 5 - 6 one of our beloved Orca sculptures disappeared from its post at the Richmond Beach Community Park next to the library.

The individual(s) that made the decision to steal from our Richmond Beach community may be rethinking that decision in the light of day; and since this is a "small town" of caring and concerned neighbors who love to talk, it is unlikely that this theft will go unsolved for long.

Since these are considered a valuable piece of commissioned art, if the orcas are not returned, we will have no choice but to move forward with an investigation, police involvement and potential subsequent charges.

Before we start down that path, we would like to offer a “no-questions-asked” drop off of the missing orca regardless of its current condition. 

Please deliver the orca to the Richmond Beach Library by Friday, August 11, 2023.

We have been overwhelmed by the community response to the orcas -- how much they are enjoyed, how everyone looks forward to their return in the spring and how protective folks are of them.

Let’s work together, hold out for someone to do the right thing again this time and keep our beloved Orcas from becoming an endangered species.

Please contact the RBCA Board at Board@RichmondBeachWA.org with any information relating to the missing orcas.

--Richmond Beach Community Association Board


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Suspicious envelope received by King county elections officials

Friday, August 4, 2023

King county elections workers doing their jobs
Photo from KC Elections
OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State is monitoring reports of suspicious materials in an envelope received by elections officials in King county.

Local, state, and federal authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred while election workers were processing ballots from the August 1 Primary election.

A suspicious letter received Monday by the King County Elections office was turned over to the United States Postal Inspection Service, which performed an analysis that detected trace amounts of fentanyl. 

Because the investigation is ongoing, the Office of the Secretary of State can provide no further information about the incident. 

“Elections offices in every county in Washington have had to develop emergency plans and protective strategies for events like these, which should serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers that surround our elections process and elections workers,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. 
“My office and I will provide all the resources at our disposal to any county that needs help confronting any challenge, and will continue to advocate for stronger protection for all elections workers.”

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Lynnwood man pleads guilty to felony charges for actions during January 6 Capitol breach

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Tucker Weston at the U.S. Capitol
on January 6. Photo courtesy FBI
A Lynnwood man pleaded guilty today to felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. 

His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Tucker Weston, 34, of Lynnwood, Washington, pleaded guilty July 21, 2023 in the District of Columbia to two felony offenses, including assault on a federal officer and civil disorder. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 21, 2023.

According to court documents, Weston traveled from Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse. On the morning of January 6, 2021, Weston attended the rally and, afterward, marched with others toward the U.S. Capitol. 
  • Near the Capitol, Weston participated in removing a metal barricade on the Capitol grounds, which enabled rioters to advance closer to the building.
  • Court documents say that Weston then reached the Lower West Plaza of the grounds and confronted a group of police officers that stood between the crowd and the Capitol building. 
  • At around 1:02pm, court documents state that during this confrontation, Weston and a group of rioters shoved police officers who attempted to prevent the rioters from getting closer to the building. 
  • After breaching the Lower West Plaza, Weston made his way to the South Side Plaza. Here, Weston joined other rioters in using a bike rack to push back against law enforcement. 
  • Weston then approached another group of officers attempting to subdue a rioter and shoved those officers.
  • Weston then left this area and moved up the northwest stairs to the Upper West Terrace and entered the Capitol building through a broken window next to the Senate Wing door. 
  • Weston remained in the building only briefly before exiting through the Senate Wing Door and making his way to the North Portico.
Court documents say that law enforcement officers removed Weston and others from the North Portico, and Weston then left the area and traveled to the northeast corner of the Capitol grounds, where he found a group of rioters vandalizing media equipment. 
  • Weston and other rioters then kicked and smashed the equipment. 
  • After kicking the equipment, Weston received a bag of stolen media equipment from another rioter and walked away.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Seattle Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Weston as AFO #437 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.


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WSP seeking witnesses to a drive by shooting on I-5 near 50th St

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Vehicle damaged by bullets
Photo courtesy WSP
At approximately 6:10am on Sunday, July 23, 2023, Washington State Patrol (WSP) communications received a 9-1-1 call from a victim stating that they were shot at by another vehicle on SB I-5 near 50th St. in Seattle.

The victim reported that his contact with the suspect began around 5:10am at an ARCO station located at 950 N 85th (and Aurora) in Seattle. The victim asked the suspect to move their vehicle so he could get out at which time the suspect approached him with a handgun visible in his hand which he then put in his waistband.

The incident began at the ARCO station at 85th and Aurora in Seattle
Photo from Google

The victim was able to leave the gas station and enter SB I-5 from N 85th St with the suspect following him. 

The vehicles continued south and around N 50th St the suspect fired three rounds at the victim then exited to N 50th St. 

The victim stated the person who shot at him was the same person that displayed the handgun at the gas station. The victim’s vehicle was struck in the passenger front door, the passenger side mirror and the rear window. 

The suspect vehicle was described as a silver or gray Mercedes Benz S Class with a dent in the driver’s side front fender. The suspect was described as an African American male with short hair and standing approximately 6’1” tall. The victim was driving a 2020 Lexus RX 350. 

Thankfully no injuries were sustained.

WSP detectives are seeking anyone that may have witnessed this shooting or has information on the suspect or suspect vehicle. Please contact Detective Haake at Russ.Haake@wsp.wa.gov.


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