An elderly gentleman was trimming the bushes Friday in the 2800 block of Northwest 59th and was startled by a man who appeared out of nowhere. The stranger insisted on “assisting” the gentleman and steadied the older man's hips as he used the trimmer. The stranger then walked off and climbed into a light blue four-door sedan that drove off to the north. Of course, the gardener's wallet was missing but was later located in the yard-waste bin, minus $125 cash. The suspect is a clean-shaven Asian male, 30-50 years old, with a small build.

After a Ballad librarian admonished a fellow for using a library computer with someone else's card, the man became agitated and threatened that he'd be waiting for her after work. For added measure, as he left the building he pounded on the exterior window and flipped her off.

In the 6500 block of 15th, someone broke two windows and entered two vacant apartment units. Stymied by finding nothing to steal, the burglars appeared to have tried to move the washer and dryers, but had no luck.

A Ballard woman learned she was the victim of credit fraud when she received a bill from Sprint for more than $2,500 worth of phone services.

A business owner on 3rd Northwest thinks that retaliation was the cause of one side of his building being rammed. Transients living in some nearby vehicles had recently been told to leave the area by officers.

Following zoo rules, a dad left a stroller and a diaper bag outside the nocturnal animal exhibit on Thursday afternoon. After the family's visit, both were missing, along with an umbrella, clothes, dad's wallet and some medication.

A woman has been advised to take out an anti-harassment order against a man who repeatedly confronts her in public and who has shown up at her workplace. She first met the man when she looked into renting a Crown Hill apartment from him. But his over attentions were alarming and escalated when she decided against the rental. Officers spoke with the man, who agreed to stay away from her, though he claimed that her concerns were blown out of proportion.

A man parked his car near 14th and Leary Way overnight Sunday. When he returned, he found his car doors open, possessions on the ground, and a man looking in his trunk. The suspect said he was looking for jumper cables and then walked away on 14th. He was a white male in his 30s or 40s, heavy-set, and balding.

Late Friday, officers were sent to Golden Gardens in response to calls about people drinking and fighting. As they dispersed the crowds, one injured young man flagged down an officer to ask for assistance, as he had been hit over the eye with a beer bottle and was bleeding. Medics were summoned to treat his injuries.

The fraudulent UW Football team solicitors struck Ballard several times last week. Some victims saw news reports about the scam and were able to stop payment on checks before they could be cashed.

A fast-food restaurant on 15th Northwest has recently suffered several bouts of vandalism. In the most recent instance, someone smashed the video display of the drive-thru.