On May 12, a man in his 20s was wounded in a shooting in the parking lot of a south Seattle restaurant near Rainier Avenue and S. Fisher Place. Four days later, a 31-year-old man was shot and killed in the same restaurant parking lot.

Then, fires broke out at two different marijuana grow operations in south Seattle—one in the basement of a restaurant, the other in a home—which were running on shoddy wiring systems, rigged to illegally divert power to the pot farms.

This week also brought a series of road rampages around the city.

On May 11, a car thief in a stolen Honda Accord hit a man as he was crossing the street in Greenwood, rammed two police cars, and tried to drive into several other officers before police arrested him in the Roosevelt neighborhood.

Three days later, on May 14, a suspected DUI driver in a stolen pickup truck crashed into three other vehicles near N. 40th Street and Aurora Avenue N, and then drove to the University District, where he slammed into another car, flipping it on its side. Both the suspect and the driver of the other car were taken to Harborview.

Then, on May 18, a man crashed into several vehicles as he led police on a wild chase through the Central District.

Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one very strange car prowler, who broke into a Jeep in the University District this week, took nothing, and then left a dozen tortillas on the floor of the car.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 40s to 50s, wearing a black hat and a black jacket and armed with a handgun (see attached surveillance photos).

Based on similarities in the suspect’s appearance and methods of operation, detectives believe this may be the same suspect responsible for a bank robbery in Issaquah on March 24, 2012.

Anyone who may know the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.00 if the information given leads to an arrest and charge of the person involved.

This remains an active and on-going investigation.

The suspect, who remains at large at this time, is described as a 16-year-old black female.  It is unknown what precipitated the altercation.

King County Transit Police have assumed control of this active and on-going investigation.

All further inquiries into this incident should be directed to King County Transit Police.

The suspects were able to con the victim into withdrawing $50,000 cash from her bank account and providing it along with $20,000 worth of jewelry to the suspects to be “blessed” so that the victim’s family would not be harmed.

The victim provided the suspects the cash and jewelry in a backpack.  The suspects then turned the victim away and told her to not look back.  The victim walked back to the bus station at which point one of the suspects returned the backpack to the victim and told her not to open the pack or tell anyone for one week or the “blessings” would fail to protect her family. 

On May 15th the victim opened the backpack and found that it contained flour, tapioca, and water bottles.  Her cash and jewelry were gone.  The victim notified her daughter of the incident and together they reported the incident to Seattle Police on May 16th.

The suspects remain at large.  This is an active an on-going investigation.

The Community Police Academy is designed to provide Seattle residents with an opportunity to learn firsthand about the job of a police officer and how the Seattle Police Department works.  Classes focus on patrol procedures and operations, internal investigations, the criminal justice process, crime scene investigation, bias crimes, narcotics, SWAT, use of force, defensive tactics, firearms/mock scenes, domestic violence, elder abuse, and arrest procedures.

Graduates receive a program certificate upon completion of the course.  Additionally, they benefit by gaining knowledge and an understanding of the realities and best practices of policing.

Space is limited, so all are encouraged to apply early.  The deadline to submit your application is Friday, July 20, 2012.  To apply, go to:

http://www.seattle.gov/police/programs/policeacademy/default.htm or call 206-684-8672 for more information.

Forest Lawn is located at 6701 30th Avenue Southwest.   The ceremony is expected to last about 30-40 minutes, with the Seattle Police Honor Guard, the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums, and several speakers. 

Preliminary investigation indicates that a white 1998 Ford Taurus stationwagon driven by a 91-year-old male was leaving a restaurant located in the 1800 block of North 34th Street when for reasons yet to be determined the vehicle spun its tires, rapidly accelerated and struck a telephone pole.  The only other occupant of the car was the driver’s wife.

SFD medics responded to the scene and transported both occupants of the car to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.  

Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives responded to the scene and continue to actively investigate.

Dampier’s trial date is currently scheduled for September 18th, 2012 (he has been in custody since May of 2011).

The on-going investigation has continued and at this point the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed 22 charges resulting from sexual offenses against at least 10 victims identified thus far.  The charges include Rape of a Child, Child Molestation, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Communicating with a Minor for Immoral Purposes (18 of the 22 charges are felonies). 

Seattle Police Sexual Assault Unit detectives have developed information during the course of their investigation that indicates there may be additional persons out there who have not reported their victimization by the suspect to police.   

We want to ensure that any and all victims receive not only the assistance they need, but justice. 

Just because the suspect is in custody is not a reason to not come forward with information about additional crimes that may have been committed.  We are very interested in identifying and interviewing any additional victims who remain unknown at this time.

Anyone who was victimized by the suspect, had interactions with the suspect that they suspect were criminal in nature, or who knows anyone that may be a victim is asked to call the Seattle Police Sexual Assault Unit at (206) 684-5575.  Anonymous tips are welcome.