Terrie Johnston, Seattle Police Dept Community Crime Prevention Coordinator reports that there are five fewer burglars in general circulation in the last two weeks. In Crown Hill, and North Seattle in general we have been recently suffered a wave of residential burglaries and even a couple of drive-by shootings. Some of the individuals arrested are suspects in these incidents.

Jeffrey McCaslin, recently featured on Washington’s Most Wanted, was booked into King County Jail on June 1st and is being held. His bail has been set at $190,000. He has been charged with two residential burglaries, and charges are pending in another burglary and for illegal drugs. This individual is suspected in the burglary incident occurring in the 9700 block of 12th Ave NW on April 18th.

The Seattle PI reported that another suspect taken into custody on June 1st is wanted in conjunction with the drive by shooting incident near 85th and 17th on May 18th. The SPD apprehended Joshua Meadows-Mittenen and Michael Christopher Doble in conjunction with a Lake City residential burglary. Mittenen is a felon and serial burglar who is wanted as a suspect in the drive by shooting in the 8300 block of 17th NW on May 18th. A warrant had been issued for Mittenen in this case.

Please remain vigilant, and report suspicious behavior to the SPD.  These arrests were greatly facilitated by citizens calling in with tips and reports of crimes in progress.

The full text of Terrie’s e-mail:

On 6-1-11 SPD patrol responded to a possible occupied burglary in progress in Fremont area. The homeowner called 9-1-1 to state that an unknown white male came to her front door and knocked repeatedly. She chose not to answer the door and the suspect went around back where he knocked again. She did not answer this door either but decided to call SPD when she saw him circling her house. He apparently used a knife to cut the window screen off a rear window. Patrol arrested him on her porch. Burglary tools and other evidence were retrieved. As it turns out, he was wanted on three other residential burglary charges and most likely will remain in jail for some time.

The Burglary Theft detectives and Community Police Team officers rejoiced at the news, as they had been canvassing neighborhoods looking for him.

Yesterday, June 2nd before noon, a neighbor in North Lake City saw two unknown men exiting a neighbor’s front door. They were carrying a pillow case that appeared to be filled with items. The watchful neighbor watched them walk away so he called out to the men who then took off running. The neighbor watched the two men get into a car and drive off and he was able to give the call taker the license plate number, vehicle description and direction of travel. SPD officers spotted the vehicle on I-5 and were able to safely make a stop on NE 45th off-ramp. The witness was able to positively identify the two men and they were arrested for Investigation of Burglary. The car was impounded and evidence was submitted for processing.

This means that within the last two weeks, at least 5 prolific burglars have been arrested by North Precinct officers. These arrests came about due to vigilant neighbors who made great calls to 9-1-1 and provided SPD w/great descriptions. As a north end Seattle resident and Block captain too, I am greatly relieved that these thieves were arrested. I am even more proud of the block watchers, who trusted their gut feelings when noticing suspicious activity and called 9-1-1 to report their observations. We have always said that a watchful neighbor is your best alarm, and this seems especially true this week.

Please call me if you would like to schedule a Block Watch meeting or for a free security survey of your home.

National Night Out will be Tuesday, August 2nd this year, and our web designer informed me today that you can register on-line on Monday next. Also, the Seattle Police Foundation is hosting the North Precinct Picnic, Saturday July 9th from 1 — 4 pm here at the North Precinct, 10049 College Way N. Free food, ice cream, music, information, precinct tours and opportunity to see our Mounted Patrol, k-9, bomb robot, etc.

Keep up the good work, and please forward this to your contacts.
tj
Seattle Police Crime Prevention
206-684-7711