The Kent Police Department has created a website showcasing photos of 160 recovered stolen items including electronics, wallets, purses, backpacks, stereos, baby clothes and even a wedding dress; some of which may have been originally swiped in the Des Moines/South King County area.

According to police, a man and woman who are suspected of breaking into more than 100 cars have been busted. Now, they want to return the stolen items to their rightful owners.

The suspects were apparently caught when they used stolen credit cards at local businesses. Police then followed their trail and recovered the stolen stuff in a storage locker as well as at local pawn shops.

According to the website:

Suspects Mode of Operation:

Type of crime: Vehicle prowls (car break ins)

Method of entry: Break window or force door lock

Types of vehicles: Different types and styles but they favored FORD F-series trucks

Property targeted: luggage, purses, laptop computers, GPS units, assorted tools, backpacks, cameras, MP3 players, I-Pods, cell phones, CD players, car stereos, jewelry, anything of value.

Estimated time range of criminal activity: Past 3-4 months

Focus area of vehicle prowl activity: Kent, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, South Seattle, Unincorporated areas of South King County. Collateral areas that may have been impacted as well are: Des Moines, Federal Way, Auburn, Bellevue.

If you were the victim of a car break-in between Oct. 1, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010, your stolen items may be in police custody – check this website now and see if you recognize anything; if you do, contact Officer Bateman at (253) 856-5894 or via email: kbateman@ci.kent.wa.us.

The recovered stolen property includes (click on links below to see individual pics):

• Laptops
• Cell phones
• MP3 players
• Car Stereos
• Unusual, miscellaneous stuff like:
  • Baby clothes
  • Wedding dress
  • Ford Truck Manuals
    
  • “Pirate Stuff“
  • Swords
  • “Aiming for Barcelona” Belt Buckle

Some items have been claimed and returned, but most are still in evidence and awaiting rightful return to their owners – so check out the website here.

Our very Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter continues, with fresh, local crime news information fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week’s crimes include an interrupted residential burglary, with the suspect’s shoe left behind, and a self-proclaimed gang member pleading guilty to robbery charges.

Here’s the Blotter for the week ending Mar. 5, 2010:

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (March 5, 2010)

Interrupted Residential Burglary:
Des Moines PD Requests Help with Identifying Owner of Shoe – On March 4th at about 9:40 AM a 19-year old resident was asleep in the basement area of his residence when he was awaken to the sounds of breaking glass. When he opened his bedroom door he saw a teenage male standing in the hallway. The burglar ran out through the garage and into the backyard, losing a shoe (see photos below). The victim saw two additional suspects also exit out of the garage.

This incident occurred in the S. 22900 block of 21st Ave. South. The primary suspect is described as an African American male, with a dark colored hoodie and dark colored beanie style hat. The recovered shoe is a Jordan “Spiz’ike” size 10.

Here are pics of the suspect’s left-behind shoe – recognize it, or know anyone who fits the description walking around with just one shoe?

Anyone with information is asked to call the Des Moines Police Department at 206-878-3301 and reference Case 10-0495.

Des Moines 20 Year Old Pleads Guilty on Robbery Charges:
A 20-year old self proclaimed gang member plead guilty “as charged” on March 3rd to one “Attempted Robbery 1” and one count of “Robbery 2.”

He also plead guilty to a second count of “Robbery 2” from an incident that took place in the City of Kent. The first robbery attempt occurred on June 24th, 2009 while the victims were waiting for a bus near 20th Ave. South and S. Kent-Des Moines Road. The second robbery took place in the S. 22300 block of 30th Ave. South on August 25th, 2009.

The suspect was armed with a handgun during both incidents. Des Moines Detectives filed both cases with the Gang Emphasis Unit of the King County Prosecutor’s Office.

The man is scheduled for sentencing on March 12th. He faces 43 to 57 months in prison. Charges have been filed on accomplices in both cases.

We’re proud to introduce our latest regular feature here at The Waterland Blog – our very Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with fresh, local crime news content fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

Here’s the Blotter for the week ending Feb. 26, 2010:

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (February 26, 2010)

Robbery 1st Degree:
On February 22nd at about 10:20 PM a 31 year old male was robbed at gunpoint. The victim was walking home after getting off the Metro bus stop at S. 240th and Pacific Highway South. While cutting through a gravel lot in the between the highway and 27th Ave. South the suspect approached the victim and grabbed a paper bag the victim was carrying. The suspect then pushed the victim to the ground and pulled out a handgun and threatened to shoot. The suspect robbed the victim of his wallet, iPod and Keys. The suspect fled the area on foot. A K9 search track was conducted but the suspect was not found.

The suspect is described as an African American male, about 6’2 and thin build. The suspect was wearing a black hooded sweat shirt and black pants.

Arrest of Robbery Suspect from Stolen Vehicle:
On February 24th at about 5:00 PM a Des Moines Officer was running radar in the S. 22700 block of 30th Ave. South. The officer contacted the driver of a car he had stopped for travelling 16 MPH over the posted speed limit. A return on the plate showed the car had been reported stolen out of Des Moines several days earlier. The driver was arrested for possession of stolen property and an outstanding felony warrant out of King County Juvenile Detention for “Resisting Arrest,” “Trespassing,” and “Taking Motor Vehicle Without Permission.”

While at the arrest scene Des Moines Officers learned the suspect was wanted by Federal Way PD for investigation of a strong armed robbery that occurred in their city on February 21st. The suspect and vehicle were turned over to Federal Way PD at the scene. The suspect is a self proclaimed and documented gang member.

Residential Burglars Charged:
Several counts of residential burglary have been filed in King County Superior Court against two burglary suspects arrested during an in progress burglary in Des Moines. The arrests were made on December 8th, 2009 at about 3:45 PM by Des Moines Officers. The burglary where the arrests were made occurred at a private residence on Redondo Beach Drive South. A neighbor made the 911 call after seeing two suspects in the backyard, and then in the house. The suspects were still in the house when Des Moines Police arrived. Federal Way Police also assisted in the arrests. The suspects were taken into custody without incident. One suspect had armed himself with a weapon he had stolen from inside the house but tossed it back inside before surrendering to police. The suspects later led police to approximately 6 other homes they had burglarized on prior dates. One of the six locations was another home was in Des Moines. The other five additional burglaries occurred in Federal Way. The Federal Way Police Investigations Unit submitted the criminal filing on all of the burglaries with the King County Prosecutor’s office.

For more information on the Des Moines Police Department, check out their website here.

Together with the King County Sheriff’s Office, Burien and SeaTac Police are continuing their twice-yearly “Citizen’s Police Academy” program with an orientation on Thursday, March 11th, and classes on Wednesday nights from 6pm-9pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Citizen’s Police Academy Training

WHEN: Starts Thursday, March 11th and continues through April 24th. Classes are held on Wednesday nights from 6pm to 9pm at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.

Classes will run for 13 weeks, plus a graduation ceremony including a certificate of completion and pictures with police staff. A light meal will be provided for students. There are presentations by many of the Sheriff’s Office Units and several opportunities for hands-on experiences, plus a field trip to the King County Communications Center.

The training sessions are held twice a year in the spring and fall. The sessions require approximately 20 hours to complete. There is a minimal fee for tools supplied to students, enabling them to build their own emergency response kit.

WHERE: Initial meeting is at the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Station, which is located at 15100 8th Ave SW in Burien; subsequent classes will be at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.

COST: FREE!

INFO: From a press release:

Graduates of the Citizen’s Police Academy will have a better understanding of the law enforcement role in the criminal justice system and an appreciation for the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s complex society. They will also be better able to assist offices in improving their neighborhoods and communities.

The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations or workplaces in basic preparation and response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.

SeaTac and Burien Fire and Police Departments partner in offering this eight-week training held on weekday evenings, with a Practical Fianl Exercise held on a Saturday. Sessions require approximately 20 ours to complete. There is a minimal fee for tools supplied to students, enabling them to build their own emergency response kit.

Training is designed to cover the following:

• Disaster Preparedness
• Fire Safety
• Disaster Medical Operations (Triage, Treating Life Threatening Injuries, and Assessment, Treatment and Hygiene.)
• Light Search and Rescue
• Team Organization
• Disaster Psychology
• Terrorism

Graduates will also be eligible for the Ride-Along program, in which you can spend up to an entire shift riding with an officer.

This course is an unforgettable experience and it’s completely free for anyone who lives or works in the cities of SeaTac or Burien!

There are two sessions each year and they fill up fast, so register early with your local Community Service Officer.

If you are interested in attending the next session and would like an application sent to you by mail, please contact CSO Mechee Burnett at mechee.burnett@kingcounty.gov or 206.973.4917 (you can also download a PDF application here).

• SEATAC: If you are from the SeaTac area, please contact: CSO Eloise Kruger: 206-973-4915 or ekruger@ci.seatac.wa.us
• BURIEN: If you are from the Burien area, please contact: CSO Nicki Maraulja: 206-296-3333 or nicki.maraulja@kingcounty.gov

Dear Editor,

Recently, the Des Moines Police Officers’ Guild started a website to pass on information to its members and the public. We, as a group, felt it was important to open a more effective line of communication with the citizens we serve and again our members. On our site you will find important links to other local guild’s web pages along with links to other law enforcement organizations.

Recently on our site, we have posted, with permission, a memo written by Chief Baker about the state of the Des Moines Police Department and how recent budget cuts have affected us and the voter approved 2006 Tax Levy Lid Lift. This memo is posted on the home page of the site under the “What’s New” section.

Please take the time to look over our site and contact me with any questions:

http://www.desmoinespoliceguild.com/

Thank you,
Kevin Montgomery
Vice President
Des Moines Police Officers’ Guild
kmontgomery@desmoinespoliceguild.com

Story & Photos by Janet Grella
(with help from Megan Shephard)

Last Wednesday morning (Feb. 3rd) around 4am, a Des Moines Police Officer was on routine patrol downtown.

As he passed WLB Advertiser Kimberley’s Exquisite Jewelry, alarm bells went off, and he spotted a masked man running from the doorway to a car parked nearby.

The officer slammed on his brakes and set off in pursuit of the suspect, who had thrown a bag into the vehicle.

According to Sgt. Bob Collins, Public Information Officer for the Des Moines Police Department, the chase led the pair over a fence and down a hill toward the marina. When the officer yelled, “Stop and drop, or I’ll shoot,” the suspect—armed with a crowbar–continued running, yelling, “Go ahead!”

Wielding his taser, the officer was happy to oblige.

The impact brought the man to the ground, where he was handcuffed.

The suspect, a 40-year-old Seattle man with a history of burglary convictions, had to be treated for injuries but was ultimately booked into the Regional Justice Center in Kent for investigation of 1st degree robbery and 2nd degree assault (for threatening the officer with the crowbar).

Though he didn’t have any property on his person, officers did find a large garbage can with the jewelery in the trunk of his car when a search warrant was executed on Thursday, Feb 4th.

The last thing you want to hear when you pick up the phone at 4:11am is “you’ve been robbed.”

That’s exactly what Kim Beasley’s husband Bill heard when he answered the phone call from the alarm company that morning. Within five minutes Kim (owner of WLB Advertiser Kimberley’s Esquisite Jewelery on 7th in Des Moines) and Bill were on the scene and amazingly enough, the suspect had already been apprehended.

Kim called The Waterland Blog to report this incident because she wanted to publicly commend the Des Moines police on their quick and thorough actions.

“Bless their hearts, they were paying attention. Our police did a marvelous job,” said Kim. She added that “the officer did everything he could to apprehend” (the suspect).

In the 10 years since opening, Kimberley’s has experienced only one other attempt to burgle the store. Kim credits this to the police telling her to keep the lights on and the blinds up so when they cruise by they can see if anyone’s inside.

And there could be a happy ending. The police feel that they recovered all the stolen jewelry. But until Kim completes a full inventory of the items returned by the police, the ones found in the parking lot, and the entire store she won’t know for sure.

At the time WLB posted this story, Kim estimated the value of the stolen items at nearly $65,000.

She also has major damages to her cases and door.

In the meantime, Kim invites all our readers and her customers “to come and buy what’s left in the store.”

Over two months ago, on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, Des Moines resident Edith M. Claver, 47, went missing when she walked away from the Ukrainian Christian Center in Renton.

We posted our most recent update on Dec. 29th (here) but Edith is still considered a missing person.

As we reported Dec. 4th, according to Renton Police Chief Kevin Milosevich, Claver was last seen around 7pm Nov. 27th in Renton, wearing a blue pullover jacket, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.

The day after she went missing, an employee of the church discovered items belonging to her near a dumpster on the north side of the property, located at 221 Hardie Ave NW in Renton.

WLB Reader Toni Spears sent us more photos of Edith, which we’ve posted below, as well as more info in hopes of revitalizing search efforts:

Margaret had a stroke in her early 30’s and suffered amnesia from it.

The last time I saw her she said she was having some mental problems so I don’t know if she suffered another stroke (she had high blood pressure) or maybe a nervous breakdown.

She also told me she had been going to Pentecostal churches and she wasn’t going back because they had kept her against her will. She said they also told her witchcraft had been put on her and she needed to go to all these churches for healing. When she doubted what they were telling her she said they told her she was possessed by the devil. I told her then it sounded like a cult and to stay away from them and she said she would.

The night she came up missing she was with these people again. I have contacted friends and family and no one has seen nor heard from her. She was not close to her family so they hadn’t heard from her in aver a year. She was closer to her friends but no one has talked to her since the end of November. I made up fliers and have been posting them in Des Moines, Renton, and Tacoma.

Her name is Edith but she went by Margaret.

If anyone sees her they can contact me at 206-992-2943.

She did have a friend, Virginia, in Oregon but I don’t know where she lived. Thank you for all your help.

I do believe she is still out there but I am concerned about her health and safety.

• Height: 5′4″
• Weight: 150 pounds
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Auburn but darker in the winter

Sincerely,
Toni Spears

In January, Renton Police said that they had no new developments despite interviewing Edith’s friends. Her name was entered into a national computer database as a missing person.

Here are some photos of her:

Anyone with information about this missing woman is asked to call Renton Police immediately at 425-430-7500.

The family of Mark Ebinger (pictured, left), 25, who was stabbed to death outside Good Time Ernie’s in Burien last November, has increased the reward offered to $10,000 in hopes of generating tips that will lead to an arrest.

Mark and his brother Peter, 24, were attacked outside the Burien bar on the morning of November 12, 2009. Mark died from stab wounds at the scene. Peter was stabbed numerous times, but survived.

Detectives believe there were several witnesses to the attack, and these witnesses might have information that could solve the case.

The homicide occurred outside Good Time Ernie’s Pub, located at 15747 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien.

As our sister website The B-Town Blog reported on Dec. 28, 2009:

Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”

“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.

The Ebinger Family at the Dec. 28th press conference.

Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.

Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”

Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”

Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.

Mark Ebinger's brother Peter was also stabbed, but survived.

“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”

Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.

Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”

The investigation is still ongoing.

“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”

Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”

On The B-Town Blog’s original Nov. 12th report, there are now 105 Comments, which make for some very interesting reading – see it here – many comments are in scolding tones to those who were there that night but have refused to come forward to identify the suspect(s). Perhaps this higher reward will change that?

Crimestoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours), or 9-1-1.

Normandy Park City Hall was evacuated and closed for most of Thursday, Jan. 28th, after a bomb threat was left on a city official’s voicemail Wednesday night claiming to blow up the building “around Noon.”

According to a Normandy Park Police spokeswoman, the building went into “lockdown” mode around 10am this morning, when city hall was shut down and all employees were evacuated and sent home for the day.

After the evacuation, Port of Seattle Police brought in their bomb squad, which includes bomb-sniffing dogs, and checked the building for around an hour. Officers from the Des Moines Police Department also helped out.

No bomb was found.

However, city hall was shut down for the day, and it will not re-open until tomorrow.

As for the bomb threat itself, police say the caller ID was traced to Minnesota, and they’re considering it a hoax.

Lovelychild Manuel of Des Moines was sentenced Friday (Jan. 8th) to eight years in prison for the deadly shooting of Devon Guidry after a book signing in Tukwila in April, 2008.

Manuel pleaded guilty to killing Guidry and wounding Paul Dervin after a party for two authors of a book about rapper Dr. Dre in the parking lot of the Gordon’s On The Green restaurant, which is located at Foster Golf Links in Tukwila.

Witnesses told police that Manuel shot Guidry in the back of the head after an argument, then fled in an SUV driven from the scene by another man.

Following the shooting, police received several tips that Manuel had been involved in the shooting and was planning to leave the state. Officers arrested him following a traffic stop in SeaTac. Manuel admitted to being at the restaurant during the party, but initially denied any involvement in the shootings.

At first charged with second-degree murder, Manuel pleaded guilty to reduced charges of second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault. Had he been convicted as initially charged, he would likely have faced more than 20 years in prison.

Manuel is currently jailed at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, pending transfer to the Department of Corrections.

According to KING-TV, Des Moines Police are investigating the discovery of a 22-year old Tukwila man’s body after it was found near a Des Moines gas station on Pacific Highway South.

According to reports, a pedestrian first spotted the body face down on some gravel between a wall and a carwash at a Shell station located in the 23000 block of Pacific Highway South near Kent-Des Moines Road.

Police have questioned the clerk, and have also interviewed people in the surrounding area. They will also be reviewing footage from numerous surveillance as well as red light cameras in the neighborhood.

The victim’s identity has not yet been released, although sources say he was a Tukwila resident.

UPDATE 1/4/10: Here’s a video courtesy Q13 News:

On Friday, Nov. 27th, Des Moines resident Edith M. Claver, 47, went missing when she walked away from the Ukrainian Christian Center in Renton.

We sent an email to Renton Police Chief Kevin Milosevich, who replied with this update:

“There is nothing new to report.

Detective Kevin Keyes is assigned to the case.

He has had numerous conversations with those that knew Ms. Claver.

Consistent with our practices, Ms. Claver’s name was entered into the national computer base as a missing person.”

As we first reported on Dec. 4th, according to Renton Police, Claver was last seen around 7pm Nov. 27th, wearing a blue pullover jacket, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.

The day after she went missing, an employee of the church discovered items belonging to her near a dumpster on the north side of the church, located at 221 Hardie Avenue NW in Renton.

Police say that she may be schizophrenic, but no other medical issues are known.

It’s been over a month since Edith went missing, and WLB Reader Toni Spears reminded us to post this update.

Anyone with information about this missing woman is asked to call Renton Police immediately at 425-430-7500.

Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer

It must’ve been the absolute toughest Christmas ever for the Ebinger family of Burien, as they had to celebrate without their son Mark, 25, who was fatally stabbed outside Goodtime Ernie’s Nov. 12th.

On Monday (Dec. 28th), the family held a press conference at the King County Sheriff’s office in downtown Seattle, where they offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in the fatal stabbing.

Acting Public Information Officer Jim Laing spoke, along with Mark’s brother Peter (who was also stabbed), 24, as his distraught parents, sister and girlfriend sat nearby, solemnly holding back tears; here’s the raw MP3 of the conference:

Peter recalled the attack, saying that a “few words were spoken to someone who was with us in the bar, and I told Mark we should leave…and as we left a group of guys came out the other door, a bottle was thrown at us, then they came at us with knives.”

“I was just scared, and was trying to get away,” Peter said. He also added that Mark was “kind of far away” from him in the parking lot at the time of the attack.

Peter also added that “someone else had words with one of the guys in the other group…” and he had no idea what was said, but is certain that the attacker(s) were in that group.

Once outside, “one guy came up in my face and tried to take a swing at me and another guy hit me from behind,” Peter continued. “I got stabbed probably six or seven times in the back…”

Peter said he’s “not planning on going back” to Goodtime Ernie’s anytime soon, “and no one I know is going back…”

Despite numerous rumors, there is no definite word on whether the attackers are part of a gang.

“We’re all very upset and angry, and well, you can imagine…”

Mark worked at a printing press and mostly did manual labor.

Regarding Mark’s death, Peter said: “It happened real fast and he didn’t feel much pain…”

The investigation is still ongoing.

“We know that someone out there knows something, saw something, or has heard something,” said Jim Laing. “…and that information might seem insignificant to them but it could be the information that cracks this case and we’re appealing to anyone who has any information to come forward.”

Laing continued: “No homicide case is ever closed until it’s closed, and this will remain open until it’s solved.”

If anyone has any information on this case, they should call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-274-6313.

$1,000 of the reward money comes from Crimestoppers, and $4,000 from the Ebinger family.

Read our previous coverage of this tragic incident here.

At 2:46pm Wednesday (Dec. 23rd) a bomb threat was made at the Des Moines QFC, located at 21815 Marine View Drive South, resulting in a major police response, including the King County Sheriff’s Department, at least one helicopter, lots of yellow crime scene tape and a total blockade of the surrounding area.

We first received the hot tip from our friend Janel Stoneback of Emerald City Smoothie, who texted us.

After a quick call to the Des Moines Police Department, we found out that it was a bomb threat, and that the big police call-out is a “typical response” to such a crime.

No bomb was found, the suspect was apprehended and hopefully the scene has returned to normal so everyone can get back to their last-minute shopping.

View Larger Map

According to The Seattle Times, a Des Moines Police Officer shot and killed a man around 3pm Saturday afternoon (Dec. 19th) in the 27200 block of Pacific Highway South.

The incident happened during an apparent domestic violence call just inside city limits. According to reports, the officer fired an unknown number of shots during a pursuit, striking the victim on the Federal Way side of 272nd.

Despite attempts at CPR, the man died on the scene.

Since the shooting occurred on the Federal Way side, Federal Way Police will be handling the investigation.

The officer, who has not been identified, was uninjured.

Dear Des Moines City Council Members,

As firefighters of South King Fire & Rescue, we have concerns about public safety and potential service delays for the Citizens of Des Moines. South King Fire & Rescue serves fire and emergency medical services for the cities of Des Moines, Federal Way and a small area of unincorporated King County. For decades, King County Fire District #26 (Des Moines Fire) and the Des Moines Police Department have enjoyed a close working relationship–something which is not common in a lot of jurisdictions. Three years ago, King County Fire District #26 merged with Federal Way Fire, creating South King Fire & Rescue. After the merger we have been able to continue this close working relationship. Our relationship creates a more cohesive, efficient and safe working environment out on the streets of Des Moines, ultimately making a safer community for our citizens.

A staffing reduction in the Police Department is a concern to us and should be a concern to the City Council and Citizens of Des Moines. Our #1 priority is the citizens we serve and time is of essence when mitigating emergencies. The level of service provided and the safety of our community hangs in the balance. Firefighters are severely handicapped if we are not safe while doing our job and if we enter an unsafe scene. Potentially, we could become part of the problem and not be able to help our citizens. By cutting Police staffing, a ripple effect could delay our services. There are a number of situations (i.e. – violent crimes, assaults, domestic violence, overdoses and suicides to name a few) where the Fire Department doesn’t enter the scene until Police go in first and verify it is safe for the Fire Department to enter. By reducing staffing in the Police Department, our response times to such scenes could be significantly delayed, thus delaying the Fire Department’s ability to enter a scene and mitigate an emergency in a timely matter.

Reducing Police staffing could have a significant impact on the health and safety of the Citizens of Des Moines. We encourage you to reconsider your decision to reduce Police staffing. We need, at the very minimum, to keep current staffing levels to maintain a safe Community which the Citizens of Des Moines deserve!

Respectfully,
Scott Ervin
Vice President
South King County Professional Firefighters
IAFF Local #2024

Beginning this Friday (Dec. 18th) and continuing through New Year’s Eve, law enforcement in King County will join other local police to conduct “X-52″ patrols around the area, including the general Des Moines and Normandy Park areas.

“X-52″ stands for extra patrols 52 weeks per year, and the goal of the program is to reduce speeding and DUI-related traffic fatalities and serious injuries on the roads.

Other areas where the X-52ers will be out on Dec. 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 31 include:

• Burien
• Federal Way
• Kent
• Federal Way
• SeaTac
• Algona
• Bellevue
• Black Diamond
• Carnation-Duvall
• Clyde Hill
• Covington
• Issaquah
• Kirkland
• Maple Valley
• Mercer Island
• Newcastle
• North Bend
• Pacific
• Port of Seattle
• Redmond
• Sammamish
• Seattle
• Snoqualmie
• Woodinville
• Washington State Patrol

Officers will look for people who drive after drinking or using drugs and arrest them, so if you tend to drink and drive…DON’T!

Washington Traffic Safety Commission is releasing $450,000 worth of grants to local law enforcement agencies to help them provide additional impaired driving and speed patrols every week of the year.

These sustained enforcement patrols will specifically target speed and DUI offenders, as well as look for other traffic violations. The program is being administered statewide through a network of community traffic safety task forces.

The X-52 program also includes initiatives designed to let the public know that these extra patrols are happening in Washington every week. $450,000 is budgeted for paid radio advertising and alternative messaging. Earned media efforts will be spearheaded by community traffic safety task forces.

“Traffic crashes kill or seriously injure hundreds of people in King County each year,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “By driving sober or planning safe rides home, you can protect yourself, family and friends.”

A total of 94 people died in King County traffic crashes in 2008, and an additional 669 people were seriously injured. In a 2006 survey of Seattle drinkers, the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center found that one out of five drinkers admitted to driving after drinking too much at least once in the past month.

Officers who participated in 2008 – 2009 X-52 patrols in King County made 5,061 contacts with dangerous drivers, wrote 3,619 traffic citations or infractions, and arrested 105 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Officers also made 14 arrests for felony crimes.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission funds all X-52 DUI patrols as one strategy delineated in “Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Target Zero.” The goal of “Target Zero” is zero traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington State by 2030.

by Ralph Nichols

The Des Moines City Council approved with one dissenting vote at its Dec. 10 meeting a $15,660,337 general fund budget for 2010.

Based on total projected revenue of only $15,891,600, the new city budget reflects the harsh impact of a drop in revenue of almost $3 million in less than two years.

The major program cut made by the council to balance the operating budget is a reduction of $879,221 in the 2010 police budget. This will necessitate layoffs of five sworn officers and civilian employees – reducing to 49 the number of department employees.

After weeks of deliberating the 2010 budget, council members adopted the new spending plan without discussion or comment. Mayor Pro Tem Dan Sherman cast the lone no vote.

The 2009 city budget reflected sharp cuts in every department except the police department, which sustained only marginal reductions.

But a continuing decline in revenue – and with the police department accounting for about 50 percent of city operating expenses – Des Moines lawmakers faced limited options for balancing next year’s budget.

When word circulated in October that one budget-balancing alternative was to cut the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, a public outcry from the community forced that possibility off the table.

This left the police department as the lone city agency vulnerable to major cuts. While there was some disagreement among local residents, opposition to cutting the police budget did not rise to the same level as that generated by possible closure of parks and recreation programs, or by the earlier threatened closure of Mt. Rainier Pool.

Most community opposition to cutting the police department budget was made in e-mails and blog posts. Not a single city resident appeared at the Dec. 10 meeting or at a public hearing on Dec. 3 to address the council directly in support of maintaining police funding at 2009 levels.

In other action, city lawmakers approved unanimously an agreement between Des Moines and King County for construction and implementation of the Intelligent Transportation System Initiative to support the RapidRide A-Line Project.

The project will install a fiber optic communication cable in an existing underground conduit along Pacific Highway South for traffic operations monitoring and traffic signal timing at key locations to streamline the flow of vehicles along this state highway.

And after a lengthy discussion, they delayed until January possible action on an increase in and modified structure of the city’s transportation impact fees.

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding Edith M. Claver, 47, a missing Des Moines woman who was last seen Friday, Nov. 27th, when she walked away from the Ukrainian Christian Center in Renton.

According to Renton Police, Claver was last seen around 7pm, wearing a blue pullover jacket, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.

The day after she went missing, an employee of the church discovered items belonging to her near a dumpster on the north side of the church, located at 221 Hardie Avenue NW in Renton.

Police say that she may be schizophrenic, but no other medical issues are known.

And now, with a cold front moving in, authorities are concerned for Claver’s health and well-being.

Anyone with information about the missing woman is asked to call Renton Police immediately at 425-430-7500.

On Tuesday (Nov. 17th), Leemah Carneh, the man accused of murdering an elderly couple and two teens at a Des Moines home in 2001, pleaded guilty to murder.

Carneh, 28, pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated first-degree murder with a firearm for the brutal killings. These charges carry a mandatory life sentence, which King County Superior Court Judge Palmer Robinson imposed following the plea.

Carneh, who was 19 at the time, is accused of killing Richard and Jane Larson, 63 and 64, their grandson Taelor Marks, 17, and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Josie Peterson, in the Larsons’ home in March 2001. Peterson was a cheerleader at Evergreen High School when she was killed.

As we reported previously, Judge Robinson, following a competency hearing that took place over several weeks, ruled in August that Carneh was mentally fit to stand trial. He was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic not long after his arrest.

Carneh was arraigned on the four counts of aggravated first-degree murder immediately following Robinson’s ruling.

According to police investigators, Carneh allegedly gunned down Marks’ grandparents, hid their bodies, then waited inside the house for Peterson and Marks and brutally beat them in an ambush when they came home. King County prosecutors allege that Carneh was obsessed with Peterson, who didn’t know him.

He was arrested at his home two days after the killings. When police searched Carneh’s house after the killings they found a photo of Peterson, a ring belonging to Marks, luggage with the Larson’s name on it, a stereo from Marks’ car, a handgun – and bloody clothes.

Despite this evidence, criminal proceedings were delayed while Carneh was treated for his mental condition at Western State Hospital. On several occasions, he was returned to the King County Jail only to be sent back to the hospital when it was determined he still was not mentally competent to participate in his defense.

After prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty, Carneh will now face life in prison without the possibility of parole. In late 2005, he received a civil commitment to Western State when another superior court judge ruled he still was not competent to stand trial but under state law no longer could be held on the criminal charges.

One year later, prosecutors were notified by officials at Western State that Carneh’s mental condition has improved to the point that he no longer needed constant supervision. They also said he was eligible to earn permission to leave the hospital grounds. At that point, prosecutors re-filed the murder charges and requested a new competency hearing for Carneh. But it took another two and a half years with a new treatment regime before he was finally found fit to stand trial.

Shortly before the original murder charges against Carneh were dismissed, Taelor’s mother Lorraine Marks said, “It’s unbelievable to me. He wrote the book on how to commit murder and get away with it…. I’m furious with the system.”

When the charges against Mr. Carneh were dismissed in 2005 and he was sent from the King County Jail back to the mental treatment facility, prosecutors said it was unlikely, even if he never went to trial for the murders, that he ever would ever be free again.

But late last year, prosecutors learned the defendant had made enough improvement to be unsupervised and perhaps even leave the grounds of the institution.

 At that point, they re-filed the charges of aggravated first-degree murder against him.

 Yet now, he again has been found mentally unfit. Western State staff believe additional treatment alternatives can help Mr. Carneh become competent so he finally can stand trial.

Area native and King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg announced Thursday (Nov. 12th) that Christopher John Monfort, 41, will face charges of aggravated first-degree murder charges for the killing of Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton, along with three counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly trying to kill his partner, aiming a gun at police, as well as first-degree arson charges for trying to kill officers by firebombing police vehicles at a city maintenance yard.

Along with that litany of charges, it’s also probable that Satterberg will pursue the death penalty for Monfort, as aggravated first-degree murder of a police officer is punishable by one of two sentences in Washington — life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

As we previously reported, Monfort was shot last Friday (Nov. 6th) outside his Tukwila apartment after being approached by police about his car, which matched a vehicle seen near the scene of Brenton’s death on Halloween night.

After aiming a malfunctioning handgun at police, Monfort was shot on the scene and is still in custody at Harborview Medical Center. It was also revealed by his family today that he is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the shooting.

According to Seattle Police documents, Monfort’s apartment had a cache of weapons, including bomb-making materials. He is also believed to have “worked alone” in the fatal shooting of Officer Brenton, and has been called a “lone terrorist” in this case. Detectives have recovered DNA evidence from both the arson scene at the city maintenance facility and the scene of Officer Brenton’s murder directly tying him to both incidents.

Detectives also recovered a .223 caliber rifle from Monfort’s apartment, and a ballistics test identified it as the firearm used in Officer Brenton’s murder.

Also recovered from Monfort’s apartment was a considerable amount of bomb-making material and evidence that indicates that the type of explosive devices Monfort was in the process of making or had made were even more lethal than the ones used in the Oct. 22nd arson.

According to police, “he clearly was intending to inflict even more destruction in his next criminal attack.”

Further examination of the explosive devices used in the arson and of the devices found in his apartment indicate that Monfort was also intending to harm first responders to the scene, such as police and fire department personnel.

Monfort once attended Highline Community College in Des Moines, where he became involved in student government and was elected vice president of legislation.

The Oct. 23, 2003, edition of HCC’s student newspaper The Thunderword describes how Monfort ran for student senate and spoke at a candidates’ forum, where he was quoted as saying:

“Too often, too many of us walk around with our head in the clouds.”

According to the article, Monfort:

“…believes he is unique, because he is upset about our current state of government and actually wants to do something about it. … The student body has been cheated and lied to by the Bush Administration,” said Monfort. He plans on putting together a petition to bring our soldiers home.”

Monfort was also quoted as saying: “Our freedom is under attack.“

Just got off the phone with Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, who reports Monday (Nov. 9th) that Nicholas Francisco, a SeaTac man who went missing in Feb. 2008, has been found alive and well, living in another state, living under a new name.

Francisco was last seen leaving his work at an ad agency in Seattle on Feb. 13th, 2008; he was supposedly heading home to bake cookies with his children.

Francisco’s car was found a few days later abandoned at a condominium complex in Federal Way, and an extensive investigation was conducted to see if he had been a victim of foul play.

Nothing turned up, and subsequently his wife divorced him in absentia.

Last week detectives developed information that he was in fact alive, had changed his name and was living outside of Washington.

“Since he did nothing illegal and this case is basically closed, we won’t reveal where he was found,” Urquhart said to The B-Town Blog. “But let me tell you – there was something incredibly unique about this guy that made bloggers go crazy. In all my years, I have never seen such a reaction. I’m glad this case is closed.”

And yes, the King County Sheriff’s Department has indeed closed their investigation, so we may never know where he lives and why he left so suddenly.

Read previous coverage of this story on our sister site The B-Town Blog here.

UPDATE Sat. 11/7/09: The Seattle Police Department released more information Saturday about Christopher J. Monfort, the suspect shot Friday in Tukwila after being approached about his car, a Datsun B-210 that matched a vehicle seen near the scene of Officer Timothy Brenton’s death on Halloween.

He was shot on the scene and is currently in serious condition, in custody at Harborview Medical Center.

According to the latest reports, Monfort’s apartment had a cache of weapons, including bomb-making materials. He is now believed to have “worked alone” in the fatal shooting of Officer Brenton, and is also a suspect in the Oct. 22 firebombing of seven Seattle police vehicles.

Monfort once attended Highline Community College in Des Moines.

Here’s the release:

On the afternoon of November 6^th , 2009, Seattle Police Homicide detectives received a tip about a Datsun 210 matching the description of a possible suspect vehicle used in the slaying of Officer Tim Brenton. Detectives responded to a parking lot in the 13700 block of 56^th Avenue South in Tukwila. While detectives were investigating the scene further an adult male suspect emerged and pointed a gun at them. Detectives fired on the suspect in self defense, striking him at least once. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. No detectives were injured.

The Tukwila Police Department is handling the crime scene investigation and the King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation.

SPD detectives obtained search warrants to further examine the crime scene. Evidence located inside the suspect’s apartment included improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a rifle, and various other items of evidence. Detectives now believe that this individual is responsible for both the murder of Officer Brenton, the attempted murder of Officer Sweeney, and the arson attack on October 22^nd at the Charles Street facility. Detectives are asking the Prosecutor’s Office for formal charges. The Datsun that detectives were looking for is registered to the suspect. Our investigation into the murder of Officer Tim Brenton and attempted murder of Officer Britt Sweeney continues and we are still receiving and following up on tips. We have received numerous tips from the public and we encourage everyone to continue to call us with any information they may have regarding this investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call either 911 , or the tipline at (206) 233-5000. Those wishing to remain annonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a text to CRIMES (274637). Your text message should include “TIP486″ to ensure proper routing. Calls are taken 24 hours a day.

PREVIOUSLY: Friday afternoon (Nov. 6th), shortly after Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton’s memorial concluded, a suspect named Christopher J. Monfort was shot outside his apartment building in Tukwila, prompting a massive outpouring of police to the area.

Police were apparently serving a search warrant on Monfort, 41, when he pulled out a weapon. He was shot on the scene and is currently under custody at Harborview Medical Center.

Monfort apparently attended Highline Community College in Des Moines, where he ran for student office in 2003.

According to HCC’s “Thunderword” student newspaper dated Nov. 20, 2003 (PDF link to issue), Monfort’s platform was:

“Christopher Monfort said he’s running to make the student body more aware of the civil liberties lost under the Patriot Act and the current political administration (Bush).

Monfort said students should vote for him because he actually cares about the world and wants to make a positive change.”

Monfort also studied law enforcement issues at the University of Washington.

Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was shot and killed as he sat in his patrol car with an officer-trainee after a traffic stop on Capitol Hill on Oct. 31. Thousands of officers from around the country attended a memorial Friday afternoon for him at KeyArena in Seattle.

The Seattle Times is reporting that Gino Turrella, a Des Moines man, has been convicted of 19 felony counts for threats he made against Boeing, Shell Oil and Chevron Oil.

Turrella was convicted Friday (Nov. 6th) in US District Court in Seattle after a jury deliberated about five hours following a four-day trial.

According to the Times, Turrella was convicted of:

• 2 counts of making interstate communications with threat to injure persons
• 7 counts of making threats by instrument of interstate commerce
• 1 count of possessing a firearm during threats of violence
• 9 counts of identity theft

He faces between 5-10 years in prison. His sentencing date is scheduled for Feb. 19th.

According to documents, Turrella made eight threats via email in May of 2008, posing as other people by using accounts he’d created himself. The threats included one to Boeing in which he claimed that he was going to bring a gun and go on a shooting rampage, as well as detonate himself as a suicide bomb.

When Turrella’s home was searched, police discovered over 100 firearms.

When you do a Google Search for Turrella, you’ll see that he was also quite active Commenting on various websites, oftentimes with fiery language.

Read the full story here.