By Tim Clifford

Machete attack
Just after 3 p.m. on Feb. 6 an attack occurred on the South Seattle College Campus involving a suspect armed with a machete. The victim in this incident narrowly avoided harm by dodging the suspect’s swing.

The victim, with whom a “language barrier” is noted, initially told police that while walking around the campus he had run into the suspect. This suspect is the brother of a girl the victim used to date as well as a student at the college. An argument broke out between the two as soon as they bumped into each other.
During the argument the suspect reached into his backpack and pulled out a full sized machete, estimated to measure over 20 inches long, and took one strong downward swing at the victim. The victim managed to leap away just in time with only his shirt sleeve being touched by the blade. As soon as the swing missed the suspect took off running.

The details of the relationship between the suspect and victim changed while officers were taking statements from the victim and witnesses, though all involved claim this is the first time the two have had a physical altercation.

An area search by police yielded negative results. A school security officer told police that the suspect would be expelled. The victim has made it known to police that he wishes to press charges. At this time the suspect remains at large.

Home of deceased woman burglarized
On Feb. 5 police received a report of a break-in to a home on the 9200 block of 14 Ave. S.W. The home is the former residence of woman who died and a possible timeline for the incident is believed to be in the last three weeks.
Relatives of the deceased came to check on the house and noticed that it seemed especially chilly inside. As they walked around the home they noticed the door the room of the deceased to be completely ransacked and strewn with old bills and receipts.

It appears that the suspect was solely after money, bank statements, and possibly identity paperwork. Valuables in the garage and other bedrooms were untouched.

Responding officers managed to take pictures of multiple footprints found in the dust of the basement. The suspect apparently kicked in the basement door to gain entry. The tread on the shoe prints show the suspect was wearing a pair of Vans shoes.

No fingerprints were found and an area check yielded negative results. The family plans to sell all remaining items in the home in the upcoming weeks in order to the put the home up for sale on the market. The suspect remains at large.

Crimes reported between Feb. 6 and Feb. 12

Burglaries by block: 1900 block of Sunset Ave. S.W., 3800 block of W. Marginal WY S.W., 5200 block of Fauntleroy WY S.W., 5900 block of High Point Dr. S.W., 8800 block of Delridge WY S.W.

Car prowls by block: 4300 block of S.W. Beveridge Pl., 4200 block of S.W. Morgan St., 1800 block of S.W. Myrtle St., 2800 block of S.W. Trenton St., 9000 block of 25 Ave. S.W., 300 block of S. Cloverdale St. (2 reported)

Car thefts by block: 5000 block of California Ave. S.W., 5900 block of 37 Ave. S.W., 7900 block of 18 Ave. S.W., 1000 block of S. Cloverdale St., 9000 block of 9 Ave. S.