By Tim Clifford

Coin collection
On Oct. 17 police responded to a report of a break-in and burglary at a home on the 2600 block of 50 Ave. S.W. shortly after midnight. The complainant had left his home earlier just after noon on Oct. 16 and found his back door wide open when he returned 12 hours later.

The complainant informed the responding officers that the only thing that was missing was some coins from his rare coin collection. According to the complainant he keeps his coins distributed between a number of drawers in his bedroom and all of these drawers had been rifled through and turned inside out. It is believed that the suspect came specifically for the coins and knew exactly where to look for them.
Upon further inspection of the residence it appears that the suspect first attempted to pry the back door open with a crowbar but was unable to defeat the deadbolt. At that point the suspect punched out one of the center glass panels and let himself in. No fingerprints were recovered but numerous boot prints were found in the backyard and alley between the homes. The suspect remains at large at this time.

Third time is the charm
A shoplifter who was arrested at a store on the 2800 block of S.W. Barton St. on Oct. 14th is now facing more serious charges since this incident is the third time in three months that he has been caught stealing at this location. Police responded quickly since the security officer who phoned them stated that he and the suspect were in a struggle with each other.

By the time police arrived, shortly after 9:30 p.m., the security officer had secured the suspect in hand cuffs and explained that initially during the call he was nervous about being the only security member on duty that night. According to the security officer he had been in the back office monitoring the security cameras when he spotted the suspect putting electronics into his backpack and under his shirt. The guard waited until the suspect was about to leave and then approached him. Once they were in the back office the suspect resisted being put in hand cuffs.

The suspect has been caught two other times in the last two months for shoplifting from this store and was warned that if he returned to this location again he would be charged with Criminal Trespass. He was also told that if he shoplifted from this store again he would be charged with burglary. This time the suspect was caught in the act of stealing a pair of Star Wars headphones, a Tracfone and one other Sony electronics device.

The suspect was placed under arrest for investigation of burglary and transported to the S.W. Precinct. After being processed there he was transferred to the King County Jail and booked. It is unclear how old the suspect is or what penalties he faces at this time.

Crimes reported between Oct. 16 and Oct. 23

Burglaries by block: 2600 block of 50 Ave. S.W., 4000 block of 28 Ave. S.W., 7400 block of Fauntleroy WY S.W., 8100 block of 29 Ave. S.W., 9400 block of 9 Ave. S.W., 9700 block of 32 Ave. S.W.

Car prowls by block: 1700 block of 45 Ave. S.W., 4500 block of 42 Ave. S.W., 5000 block of 48 Ave. S.W., 4500 block of S.W. Holly St., 32 Ave. S.W./ S.W. Webster St., 8800 block of Delridge WY S.W.