#2021-002217/Southwest Precinct/Third Watch:
On 01-04-2021 at 0135 hours, unknown person(s) started a fire on the exterior facing door frame of a residential apartment unit in the Morgan Junction area of West Seattle. The fire was small, did not spread, and was extinguished after the smoke detection system alerted staff. Nobody was injured. The building did not need to be evacuated. Seattle Fire responded to ensure the fire would not restart. SFD determined the fire was suspicious and called for a fire marshal, who determined that the fire was intentionally set and took over the investigation. The fire marshal made the notification to the SPD’s Arson Bomb Squad.
#2021-002348/South Precinct/First Watch:
On 01-04-2021 at 0734 hours, Seattle Fire was flagged down about a vehicle leaking fuel. Upon arrival, they discovered that the vehicle, a Ford F350 Pickup Truck, was loaded with two 55-gallon drums of a potential flammable liquid. The vehicle also had passenger side damage, caused from an earlier engine fire, that was extinguished by an unknown person. The drums were labeled with a MDSD identifier that listed the contents as an Oxidizer. SFD was concerned that the type of Oxidizer mixed with diesel fuel could potentially be used for building an explosive device. Officers arrived and were briefed on the incident. The incident was screened with SPD Arson Bomb Squad, who responded to the scene, and investigated further. The Department of Ecology and the FBI also responded to the scene. It was determined that the drums contained diesel fuel and not the Oxidizer as labeled. The vehicle was a reported stolen vehicle and the owner advised that the drums of liquid were not in the vehicle when stolen. Officers shut down 35 Ave S until the spill and hazardous liquid could be cleaned and removed.
#2021-2734/North Precinct/Second Watch:
On 01-04-2021 at 1624 hours, officers located a previously reported stolen vehicle enter the garage of the Safeway (7300 Roosevelt Way NE). Officers recognized the vehicle as being stolen in the past and ran a records check. The check came back to an unverified stolen vehicle. Officers waited for the suspect to exit the vehicle and when he did, they approached him to take him into custody. Upon doing so, the suspect fled leading to a foot pursuit resulting in type 2 force. The suspect was arrested and determined to have several outstanding burglary cases in which he was the suspect of. A search of the vehicle located a very real looking BB gun and several other weapons. The suspect stated he swallowed narcotics and hospital guard was conducted until he was medically cleared and booked.
#2021-002944/East Precinct/Third Watch:
On 01-04-2021 at 2046 hours, an officer was responding to a call. While en route, the patrol officer’s vehicle was struck on the driver’s side while crossing an intersection. The officer was transported to Harborview Medical Center via Seattle Fire and received treatment for minor injuries. The civilian driver was not injured and was not impaired.
#2021-005288/East Precinct/Second Watch:
Somewhere between 12-31-2020 and 01-04-2021, unknown person(s) spray painted bias messages on the property of Holy Names Academy in the East Precinct. There were a number of anti-religious messages, one of which was “Hail Satan. This biased graffiti caused a significant amount of damage which required extensive repair. No suspect(s) were seen. Responding officers and sergeant searched the area for evidence. SPD bias crimes coordinator was also notified.