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

Suspect arrested after murder of Edmonds rideshare driver

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Members of Shariif's family outside the courtromm
Photo by Nick Ng
Edmonds Police have arrested a suspect in the January 3, 2024, murder of 31-year-old Abdikadir Gedi Shariif. 

The suspect, twenty-one-year-old Edmonds resident Alex Matthew Waggoner, was arrested around 2:30pm Wednesday, January 10, 2024 without incident by members of the Snohomish County Violent Offenders Task Force (VOTF). 

He was arrested after he walked away from his residence in the 23500 block of Edmonds Way. 

At the time of his arrest, the suspect was armed with two handguns and was wearing body armor. There were no injuries as a result of his arrest. 

He was transported to the Edmonds Police Department, where detectives interviewed him before he was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for 2nd-degree Murder. Bail has been set at $1 million.

Just after 10:15pm on January 3rd. Mr. Shariif was working as a rideshare driver and had just dropped off a customer returning from vacation. 

After departing the drop-off, Mr. Shariif drove westbound on 236th St SW in Edmonds and, with a green signal, began making a left-hand turn onto Edmonds Way. 

The suspect was crossing from west to east at the same crosswalk Mr. Shariif entered during his turn. 

According to the police report, dash and interior cam video from the victim’s car indicates that while making the turn he was “distracted looking down at his phone” and “narrowly missed” the suspect in the crosswalk. 

The video also indicates that Shariif then slowed down his car, rolled the driver's window down, and appeared to begin to say “I’m sorry” when the suspect immediately began shooting at him. 

Without warning, the suspect fired multiple times at Mr. Shariif, mortally wounding him. He later died at Harborview Medical Center.
 
Detectives received multiple tips and collected several types of evidence during the investigation. 

Numerous search warrants were also served to recover physical, digital, and other types of evidence. After his arrest, a search warrant was served on the suspect's residence, and additional evidence was recovered. 

New witnesses were also contacted and interviewed at this location.
This investigation is an excellent example of community involvement, tireless detective work, and collaboration among law enforcement partners. 

Now that the suspect is in custody, detectives will continue their investigation to include a thorough analysis of the firearms that were recovered.

--Information from MyEdmondsNews.com was used in this story


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Arrest in Kenmore after suspect attacks Safeway employee with a boxcutter

Boxcutter taken from suspect
Photo courtesy Kenmore Police
From the Kenmore Police Department:

You may have seen a prolonged police response at Safeway yesterday afternoon that was witnessed by many in the community, and we wanted to provide some context.

A male who has been frequenting the area over the past few weeks shoplifted a basket full of items from Safeway. 

He was contacted by a store employee, who the suspect then attacked. The suspect then went back inside the store. 

Employee was wearing this apron when
suspect started waving a boxcutter around
Photo courtesy Kenmore Police
Another employee intervened when the suspect pulled out a box cutter and began waving it in a slashing motion, cutting the apron of the employee in the process. 

An Officer arrived soon after and took the male into custody without incident. 

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for two felonies: Robbery (involving a weapon) and Assault- 2nd degree.

The Kenmore Safeway is located at 6850 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore, WA 98028.

The Kenmore Police Department is a contract agency with the King County Sheriff's Office.


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Suspect captured during burglary at cannabis dispensary in Lake Forest Park

Friday, January 12, 2024

The Kushery on 15th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park

On January 11, 2024 at approximately 5am, LFPPD officers rapidly responded to a call from a local resident about suspicious activity adjacent to The Kushery Cannabis Dispensary, located at 19258 15th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park

While on their way to the scene, officers received updated information that a vehicle had crashed into the side of the building. Upon arrival, an LFPPD officer tried to block the associated vehicles at the establishment, but they managed to escape. 

However, one individual was apprehended at the scene and taken into custody. The incident resulted in an undetermined quantity of products being stolen from the business.

A fleeing vehicle collided with another unrelated vehicle at the intersection of 19th Ave NE and Ballinger Way NE (SR 104). The driver of the fleeing vehicle left the scene, and it was discovered that the vehicle, a Kia sport utility vehicle, had been reported stolen from Shoreline but was previously unreported. 

Despite conducting a Redmond PD K-9 track in the neighborhood near the collision site, no additional suspects were located.

With the support of King County AFIS, the business and the crashed vehicle underwent processing. Bothell PD officers, Shoreline, Kenmore, and King County deputies aided LFPPD in their efforts. 

Shoreline PD took charge of processing the collision scene within their jurisdiction. The investigation remains ongoing, and the police department is actively gathering information regarding potential additional suspects and any possible involvement of additional vehicles in the incident.

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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Police seek teens painting graffiti in Horizon View Park

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Photo courtesy LFPPD

The Lake Forest Park Police Department would like your help in identifying the subjects observed graffitiing the water tower at Horizon View Park during the early morning hours of January 1, 2024. 

Photo courtesy LFPPD

The subjects are believed to live within proximity to the park and may be students at Shorecrest H.S.

Photo courtesy LFPPD

This is not an isolated incident, and the PD has received several reports of repeated graffiti and property destruction at Horizon View Park costing thousands of dollars to repair.

Photo courtesy LFPPD

Please email Ofc. Robles if you have any information that would help in identifying these teens.

Case Number 2023-0037


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Robbery and car crash in Lake City Tuesday turns to carjacking / abduction with suspect caught in Shoreline

Saturday, January 6, 2024

A 19-year-old man was arrested in Shoreline for an armed kidnapping after he fled from the scene of an injury collision in Lake City on Tuesday night January 2, 2024.

Starting at 5:57pm, Seattle police officers responded to a 911 call of a robbery in the 10200 block of 15th Ave NE. Officers contacted the female victim who stated three males approached her and grabbed her purse and backpack. The suspects fled the scene in a black sedan.


Photo courtesy Seattle Police
Shortly after the reported robbery, dispatch received reports of a two-car collision near the intersection of Lake City Way NE and NE 115th St in Seattle's Lake City neighborhood. 

Witnesses stated the vehicles were racing and after the collision both drivers, along with several passengers, fled the scene. Officers arrived and located two vehicles pinned against a tree in the median. 

One remaining passenger was located inside a vehicle with serious injuries. Seattle Fire Department personnel arrived and transported the injured passenger to Harborview Medical Center in serious but stable condition. 

Both vehicles were reported stolen. Detectives assigned to Traffic Collision Investigation Squad responded to the scene.

At 6:36pm, officers responded to carjacking turned abduction near the scene of the collision. Police contacted the caller who stated his friend was driving in the area when a male jumped into the passenger seat of his vehicle, held a gun to his head and demanded he drive away. 

Police were able to track and locate the vehicle. The suspect forced the victim to speed away from officers, but after a brief pursuit, the vehicle slowed, and the victim jumped out of the moving vehicle. 

The vehicle stopped at the intersection of 5th Ave NE and NE 163rd St in Shoreline. The suspect got in the driver’s seat and tried to drive away but couldn’t, reportedly because he didn't know how to drive a stick shift. 

The suspect then fled on foot but was caught and arrested.

Searching for a gun used in abduction
Photo by Bruce Miller 

Police brought in a K9 unit to search for the gun in the 16200 block of 5th Ave NE in Shoreline.

Robbery detectives were able to confirm all the incidents were related and connected the suspect to each of them. The suspect will be booked into King County Jail for multiple felony offenses.

Detectives continue to look for the remaining suspects, as well as all the occupants of the involved vehicles.

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

 

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Cannabis dispensary investigation in Lake Forest Park

Photo from Google maps
On January 5, 2024, LFPPD officers rapidly responded to a burglary alarm at the Mr. Greens Cannabis Dispensary, located at 15029 Bothell Way NE in Lake Forest Park.

Upon arrival, officers found an abandoned Kia sedan next to the business that had been used to ram a hole in the side of the business.

With the assistance of an Edmonds PD K-9 team and assisting officers from Bothell PD, the building was checked and cleared.

The suspects had left prior to the officers’ arrival. An unknown quantity of product was stolen from the business.

The abandoned Kia sedan was found to be an unreported, stolen vehicle from Kirkland. The crime scene was processed with the assistance of King County AFIS.

The investigation is continuing, and the department is developing information as to how many suspects and possible additional vehicles were involved.

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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Mountlake Terrace man arrested in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Saturday, December 30, 2023

FBI identified Matthew Stickney in surveillance photos at the Capitol on Jan 6

By Diane Hettrick

The MLTNews.com has published a detailed story about a local man who has been arrested as a participant in the January 6 Capitol riots.

34 year old Matthew Stickney was photographed in restricted areas of the Capitol on January 6. FBI built the case against him using records from two cell phones he carried, airplane tickets, text messages, and internet searches.

On Dec. 24, he searched for and viewed the webpage for the Hilton Garden Inn in Washington, D.C. and “How do I take my gun with me on a flight?” Followed by “Is weed legal in D.C.?” on Dec. 27.

As Jan. 6 approached, Stickney viewed the webpage for the AC Hotel by Marriott in downtown Washington, D.C. as well as searching if he could bring a gas mask, walkie-talkies, and a knife on a plane.

After the Capitol riot, Stickney searched for — Hands burning from pepper spray. Jan. 6

The FBI concluded in its warrant request that Stickney knowingly entered and remained in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do so. Further, he knowingly did so to “impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions.”



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Fatal assault in Bitter Lake neighborhood

Friday, December 22, 2023

Seattle Police responded to a report of a fatal assault in the Bitter Lake neighborhood.

Officers arrived around 1:00am on Thursday, December 21, 2023 in the 14100 block of Linden Ave N and located a deceased 24-year-old man on the sidewalk.

Seattle Fire responded and confirmed the man deceased at the scene.

Police are still investigating the circumstances that led up to the fatal assault.

Crime Scene Investigation unit responded to process the scene for evidence. Homicide will be leading the ongoing investigation.

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


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Nigerian citizen pleads guilty for defrauding Washington state

Tacoma – One of two Nigerian citizens who resided in Canada, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for defrauding pandemic unemployment benefit programs in multiple states, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. 

Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali, 45, was arrested in February 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany, as he traveled back to Canada from Nigeria. Ambali was detained in Germany and was extradited to the U.S. last August. Prosecutors will recommend a sentence of five years in prison when Ambali is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan on March 14, 2024.

In his plea agreement Ambali admits he and codefendant Fatiu Ismaila Lawal, 45, used the stolen identities of thousands of workers to submit over 1,700 claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to over 25 different states, including Washington State

In total, the claims sought approximately $25 million, but the conspirators obtained approximately $2.4 million, primarily from pandemic unemployment benefits. 

When state unemployment security became aware of the scam, they shut down all claim applications while they worked to verify the ones they had and scrutinize new claims. This meant that many Washington residents were left with no financial resources.

As part of his plea agreement Ambali has agreed to make restitution of $1,035,107.

The co-conspirators allegedly submitted claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to New York, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, California, Washington and some 19 other states. 

Using 13 Google accounts, they filed some 900 claims. The co-conspirators also allegedly established four internet domain names that they then used for fraud – creating some 800 different email addresses that were used for fraud. Between March 2020 and December 2021, Ambali admits he personally submitted at least 620 claims for unemployment benefits that paid more than $1 million.

Additionally, between 2018 and 2021, Ambali used stolen personal information of eight U.S. citizens to try to claim tax refunds totaling more than $40,000. The IRS caught most of the fraud.

Ambali also attempted to use the stolen American identities for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA caught most of the fraud and paid only $2,500.

Ambali and his co-conspirators had the proceeds of their fraud sent to cash cards or to “money mules” who transferred the funds according to instructions given by the co-conspirators. They also allegedly used stolen identities to open bank accounts and have the money deposited directly into those accounts for their use.

Lawal was arrested in Canada in February and is pending extradition.

The National Unemployment Fraud Task Force provided a lead on this case to the investigative team in Western Washington. The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). Also contributing to the investigation were Washington State Employment Security Division (ESD), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cindy Chang of the Western District of Washington. DOJ’s Office of International Affairs is assisting.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.


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Seattle Police seek witnesses to incidents where vehicles purposely targeted and struck pedestrians in North Seattle

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Statement from Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz
In late November, police were made aware of two incidents where two separate vehicles purposely targeted and struck pedestrians in North Seattle. The victims have not been identified.

Detectives discovered surveillance footage and cell phone footage of one of the vehicular assaults. On November 26, 2023, at 1:50am the video shows a vehicle targeting a woman and purposely hitting her on North 107th St just west of Aurora Ave N. Multiple people can be seen helping the victim before a car stops, carries the woman to the passenger seat, and drives away.

The second assault happened in the 9600 block of Aurora Ave N. Officers have yet to determine exactly when it occurred, but believe it was around the same time on November 26th. Detectives have attained cell phone video of the assault. In the video, the suspects target a victim walking in the bus lane. The unsuspecting victim is struck from behind and flies over the hood of the car.

The suspect vehicle did not stop in either incident. Based on the speed of the impact, it is likely that the victims suffered serious injury.

Detectives reviewed 911 call records, hospital admissions, and canvassed the area for witnesses, but have not been able to locate the victims.

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


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Armed repeat offender, who triggered lockdown in North Seattle neighborhood, sentenced to six years in prison

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Photo courtesy Seattle Police
Seattle – A 42-year-old Seattle man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to six years in prison for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. 

Pedro Fernandez Kent triggered a neighborhood lockdown in January 2023 when he fled police in North Seattle after a woman called to report he had assaulted her with a handgun and threatened to kill her. 

At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez noted that firearms coupled with drug dealing often lead to deadly results “Everyone recognizes first of all how dangerous the particular conduct was in this case…”

According to records filed in the case, on January 15, 2023, Seattle Police were responding to a domestic violence report in North Seattle when they spotted the distinctive car driven by the suspect, Pedro Kent. 

Kent attempted to flee from police, crashing his car into two curbs, rupturing the tires. Kent abandoned the car and ran into the yards of neighboring homes. Video from area cameras show Kent with a handgun in his hand as he ran into a backyard. 

Police converged on the area, alerting residents to stay in their homes with the doors locked. One couple called police reporting that the defendant appeared to be hiding in their backyard near Evanston Ave N and N 97th St. A K-9 officer helped take Kent into custody.

In addition to the gun Kent carried when he ran from the car, police located a carbine rifle in the car as well as distribution amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Kent also had a hatchet and a dagger in the car as well as scales and plastic baggies for drug distribution.

Kent was prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous King County convictions for burglary, theft, assault, and trafficking in stolen property.

The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


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Lake City homeowners wake to find strangers in their bedroom early Saturday morning

Friday, December 8, 2023

Photo courtesy Seattle PD
By Detective Judinna Gulpan
Seattle Police Department
 
Police arrived in the 2000 block of NE 135th St around 7:00am on Saturday, December 2, 2023 and spoke to the two robbery victims who were not injured during the incident.

It was reported the two victims, a 32-year-old male and a 31-year-old female, woke to a sound as four Black males entered their bedroom. Two of these suspects were armed with firearms. After entering the bedroom, the suspects yelled for them to get up and go to the living room.

The victims were kept in the living room by one suspect while the other three suspects ransacked the home. During this time, the suspects would bring items such as phones, computers, bank cards, etc. to obtain lock codes or pin numbers. The suspects also threatened to kill the victims multiple times.

These suspects were described to be four Black males in their late 20s-30s wearing masks and all black clothing.

Before leaving, the victims were told not to call the police, cancel any cards, or lock any electronic devices, or they would return to harm them. They left the home in the victim’s vehicle, a silver sedan.

Officers later located the stolen vehicle around 2:30pm in the 14300 block of 17th Ave NE. The vehicle will be processed for evidence.

Robbery detectives will be continuing the follow up investigations.

If anyone has information, please call the Seattle PD’s Violent Crime Tips Line at 206-233-5000.

Correction: the incident occured on Saturday, December 2, 2023

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Prolific mail thief who stole postal vehicles and postal keys pleads guilty to federal charges

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Multiple postal vans like this one were stolen
Photo by Joel Moysuh on Unsplash.com
Seattle – A man who committed a series of mail vehicle and mail key thefts plead guilty to theft of government property, mail theft, illegal transactions on access devices, and illegally possessing a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman. 

Johny Mixayboua, 27, committed a string of mail theft incidents involving stolen postal vehicles, stolen postal keys, mail theft and associated crimes. (See previous article)

The postal service had to halt deliveries in the zip code 98118 for about a week while investigators worked to track down and arrest Mixayboua. Mixayboua will be sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Richard A. Jones in Seattle on March 8, 2024.

Throughout April, mail thefts continued from as far north as Lake Forest Park, which had 21 cases of mail theft from locking mailboxes at apartment buildings.

According to the plea agreement, between December of 2022 and May of 2023, Mixayboua unlawfully gained access to cluster mailbox units in various locations throughout King County, including multiple apartment buildings in Lake Forest Park. He repeatedly stole mail from the cluster mailbox units.

During this time, Mixayboua stole credit cards from the mail he unlawfully collected and used the stolen credit cards to make purchases for himself. He also stole and operated a United States Postal Service Vehicle. 

When law enforcement executed an arrest warrant on Mixayboua in May of 2023, he was found with a firearm. Mixayboua is prohibited from possessing any firearms because of previous felony convictions in King County Superior Court.

This case was investigated by U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

Theft of Government Property is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Mail Theft is punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Access Device – Illegal Transactions is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elyne Vaught.


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King County Prosecutor: 80+% Increase in charged homicide and firearm cases

Friday, December 1, 2023

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has
86.5% more charged homicide cases in 2023 vs. 2019

From the blog of King County’s elected Prosecutor, Leesa Manion
Published on Medium

In November of 2023, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has 86.5% more charged homicide cases and nearly 83% more charged firearm cases when compared to the same month in 2019.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office team that responds to these cases is called the Most Dangerous Offenders Project, or MDOP.

MDOP Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys are on call 24/7, 365 days a year, and are frequently called on in the middle of the night to respond to homicide scenes, assist detectives with search warrants, etc. 

The Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys who respond to these calls see the case through from start to finish, in what’s known as a vertical prosecution model.

In 2023 (through November 2), MDOP has responded to 144 callouts (potential homicide scenes) and there have been 123 confirmed homicides. In approximately 20 of those 144 callouts, the victim survived or the cause of death was ruled an overdose, suicide, or accident.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has
83% more charged firearm-involved cases in 2023 vs. 2019

Of the confirmed gun violence homicides in 2023, 82% were people of color and 20% were ages 18–24.

MDOP began with 7 Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys, 1 chair, 2 paralegals, and 1 victim advocate, but in response to the increase in homicides in King County since 2019 the team has expanded. Today, there are 13 MDOP Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys, with each attorney handling between 14–25 filed homicide cases.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office’s top priority continues to be addressing people charged with repeat offenses and responding to serious, violent cases. These serious, violent cases are not only at historic levels, but also take significantly more time and resources to prosecute compared to less serious crime types. 

Throughout King County, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is charging felony gun crimes every day, charging repeat property offenses each day, staying in constant communication with law enforcement, working proactively with community groups to prevent tragedies and recidivism, and tracking every reported gunshot with our Crime Strategies Unit and sharing those reports publicly.


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School cancelled Friday December 1, 2023 at Kellogg and Shorecrest for police investigation

Kellogg Middle School
No class on Friday December 1, 2023

**SCHOOL AT KELLOGG AND SHORECREST CANCELED FRIDAY 12/1**

Important message from Shoreline school District administration:

Good evening families,

We have received reports of concerns for safety at Kellogg Middle School and Shorecrest High School. In order to further investigate this in partnership with law enforcement, school is canceled tomorrow, Friday, December 1, at both Kellogg and Shorecrest. 

Students and staff should not report to either school; however, administration will be out front in the morning to help direct students and families who may arrive at either campus.

Because we are sending this late in the evening, please help us by sharing information of tomorrow’s school closure with your Kellogg and Shorecrest contacts.

The best avenue to quickly, easily, and anonymously report safety concerns, is our anonymous safety tip line. 

This system allows anyone to report safety concerns to school officials any day, at any time.

We will provide an update to the Kellogg and Shorecrest communities by the end of the day Friday.

We are grateful for your partnership and supportive, timely engagement with these concerns.

Thank you,

Superintendent Susana Reyes
Shorecrest Principal Chad Towe
Kellogg Principal Becca Whitney

Shorecrest and Kellogg are located next to each other on 25th NE in Shoreline.


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Man shot during Lake City robbery

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Shooting in 13200 block of 35th NE in Lake City

By Officer Shawn Weismiller
Seattle Police Department

Robbery detectives are searching for multiple suspects after a 28-year-old male was shot and robbed of his scooter Wednesday afternoon November 29, 2023 in Lake City.

Shortly after 1:30pm, officers responded to reports of a male shot in the 13200 block of 35th Ave NE. Police arrived and located a male victim with a gunshot wound. Officers provided life-saving measures until the Seattle Fire Department arrived. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

Police learned the victim was on his scooter when he was approached by a vehicle occupied by multiple males. One of the suspects was armed with a rifle and a handgun. The suspect pointed the gun at the victim and demanded his property. The suspect then shot the victim and fled with the victim’s scooter and backpack.

Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the vehicle or the suspects. Robbery detectives responded to the scene and will be leading the investigation.

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


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Washington State man found guilty of assaulting law enforcement and other charges for actions during Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Taylor James Johnatakis
convicted of three felonies and 
four misdemeanor charges
Defendant Interfered with Officers Attempting to Block the Mob

WASHINGTON – A Washington state man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of assaulting law enforcement and other felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. 

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.

Taylor James Johnatakis, 39, of Kingston, Washington, was convicted of seven charges, including three felonies, by a federal jury in Washington, D.C.

Johnatakis was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, all felony offenses. 

In addition to the felonies, Johnatakis was convicted of four misdemeanor charges, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; and engaging in an act of physical violence in the grounds of any of the Capitol building.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth will sentence Johnatakis at a later date.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Johnatakis led a mob of rioters up a staircase on the West Front of the Capitol. 

He came to the Capitol with a megaphone strapped to his back. He joined the riot at the base of the southwest staircase when the mob was overwhelming police officers, who were forced to retreat toward the Capitol. 

Johnatakis followed right behind those retreating police officers, underneath the scaffolding of the Inaugural Stage. He was one of the first rioters to reach the top of the southwest staircase, where he was confronted with a line of police barricades and police officers protecting the Capitol.

Johnatakis organized and coordinated other rioters to assault the police line at the top of the southwest staircase. Specifically, using his megaphone, Johnatakis directed rioters to move up to the police line and yelled at the rioters to “pack it in! pack it in!” 

Johnatakis then instructed the crowd through the megaphone that they were going to push the bike racks “one foot” at a time and counted, “one, two, three, GO!!” 

Johnatakis and his fellow rioters— including co-defendants Isaac Steve Sturgeon and Craig Michael Bingert— grabbed the bike racks in front of them and pushed them forcibly into the line of police officers. 

Numerous police officers ran to reinforce the line as the rioters thrust the metal bike racks forward into the officers. As a result of this attack, at least one police officer was injured.

Johnatakis was arrested on Feb. 11, 2021, in Washington state by the FBI.

Sturgeon and Bingert were both previously sentenced for their roles in the January 6th Capitol breach.

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 and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 34 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,200 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. 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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Robbery at Ballinger McDonald's Friday night

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Photo by Bruce Miller

The McDonald's at 20227 Ballinger Way NE in Shoreline was robbed on Friday night just before midnight.

The picture of the police response was taken at 11:50pm November 10, 2023, just a few moments after the robbery. The officers are in a lot on the east side of McDonald's.

No details are available. 

As Shoreline PD PIO Tim Meyer explained "Because this is an open/active case with KCSO’s Major Crimes Unit, we are not offering a comment to protect the integrity of their investigation."

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Lake Forest Park residents can still order locking mail boxes through the city

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

For residents of Lake Forest Park, if you haven’t already participated in the City’s Locking Mailbox Program, there is still time to reserve one for your home!

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 here or in-person at City Hall.

A mailbox will be reserved upon receipt of a completed application and payment. Once the city has received enough applications, a bulk order is placed. When 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 cost is $121.44 (includes shipping and tax) which is significantly lower than the retail cost of $160. Payments can be made to City of LFP by cash, card*, or check (*additional service fee applies).

Who Can I Contact if I Have Questions?
For questions regarding the program or assistance filling out the application, contact City Hall at 206-368-5440.


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Former Executive Director of Tribal non-profit job training program pleads guilty to embezzling federal funds

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Tacoma – The former Executive Director of the Western Washington Indian Employment Training Program (WWIETP) pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to embezzling from a program receiving federal funds, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. 

Debbie Rawle, 68, of Tacoma served as Executive Director of the tribally owned non-profit job training program for several years until October 2019. 

The non-profit is now defunct and no longer receiving any federal funds. 

Rawle is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo for the embezzlement of nearly $100,000 on January 5, 2024.

According to the plea agreement, the job training non-profit received $698,153 in 2018 and $703,388 in 2019 to provide employment and training services for eligible tribal members. 

The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Indian and Native American Programs administers the funds.

In September 2019, the Division of Indian and Native American Programs began investigating questionable expenditures using the debit card of the non-profit training organization at a Macy’s store. 

Rawle provided false and misleading information about the purchases, claiming they were work related. In fact, there were multiple purchases of items for Rawle’s own use including a new mattress, sunglasses, and clothing.

Further investigation revealed Rawle used the organization debit card for purchases at Best Buy, Amazon, and Costco. At Costco she purchased a cedar pavilion and above ground swimming pool, while on Amazon she ordered a pool maintenance kit, and motorcycle accessories costing more than $1,000. 

In all, the embezzled funds amount to $99,990.

“The Western Washington Indian Employment and Training Program (WWIETP) provided education, job training, and employment services to Native Americans through grants funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. 
"As Executive Director, Debbie Rawle used her position at the WWIETP to embezzle these funds to personally enrich herself. 
"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively identify those who commit similar crimes and bring them to justice,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

Rawle has agreed to pay $99,990 in restitution. Embezzlement from a program receiving federal funds is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be determined by Chief Judge Estudillo who will consider a number of statutory factors before determining the appropriate sentence.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Indian and Native American Programs (“DINAP”). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London. Mr. London serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.


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