Homicide investigation

Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 79-year-old man in Ballard. Seattle Fire Department and police responded to the scene of the crime around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13. They had been alerted to an unresponsive man inside a camper in a parking lot in the 5000 block of 15th Avenue NW. First responders determined that the man had been deceased for several days. They believed that it was due to natural causes. Then, the Medical Examiner was called to the scene and a single bullet hole was discovered on the body.  A cursory search of the camper did not reveal a discarded weapon. Homicide detectives were called to follow-up the investigation. Crime Scene Investigators also responded and processed the camper, before impounding it for further investigation. This remains an active and on-going investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Seattle Police Department.

Grocery store shoplifter

A loss prevention officer for a grocery store located in the 8300 block of 15 Ave NW called police 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, April 14. He explained that the suspect grabbed a party bag, razors and batteries and tried to leave the building without paying. The victim chased the suspect. The suspect threw a bucket of chicken at his head, as well as other items, then dropped his backpack and approached the suspect with clenched fists. Eventually, the suspect fled and, as he ran, several needles fell out of his pockets. A witness provided a similar statement to police. 

Restaurant repeatedly burglarized

At 4:10 a.m. on Sunday, April 15, a suspect pried open the back door of a restaurant located in the 5400 block of Ballard Ave NW. The manager was at home and notified by the alarm company. The business had been burglarized two days earlier. The safe was cut open with a power tool, and $1,500 was missing. Officers searched for fingerprints but were unable to find any. 

Repeat suspect hits 14 Ave NW

Officers headed to the 9200 block of 14 Ave NW around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 14. The caller said that dogs started barking and she looked out her front window to find a black car parked in her driveway. She then heard someone trying to open her locked front door. The victim recognized the woman outside. The suspect had tried to break into her home the previous Sunday. The victim took photos of the suspect and her car with her cellphone. The victim left the scene.