King County Sheriff’s detectives announced Friday (Aug. 27) that they are seeking the public’s help in solving a 2001 White Center homicide that occurred on Aug. 28, 2001, exactly nine years ago Saturday.

Specifically, they at least hope to find the White Center house where the suspect took the victim and her sister prior to fatally shooting one of them on a street corner.

Case History: Crystal Vaughn (age 29 at the time) and her sister Misty were drinking beer at a bus stop in White Center when they were contacted by the suspect. They went back to the suspect’s house for a drink. An argument ensued and the sisters were driven back to the area of SW 101st and 15th Ave SW.

The argument continued between the suspect and Crystal. The sisters were out of the man’s car and walking away when he pulled up next to them and shot Crystal three times. She died at the scene.

Suspect’s Residence: The house was about a mile or so away from where the women were first approached, generally in the area of the 3700 block of SW 106th, unincorporated King County in the White Center neighborhood.

The women were asked to remove their shoes when they came in. The man said his “niece was sleeping” and to they had to be quiet. The interior of the house was neat and tidy, and there were children’s toys in the house.

There was a large stereo and a CD collection, as well as a free standing stove or fireplace in the living room. The women were served brandy to drink.

Suspect Description: A black male about 27 to 35 years old. He was “big” and 6’ to 6” 3” tall. He smoked Marlboro Red cigarettes.

Vehicle Description: A black or possible dark green SUV, similar to a Chev Tahoe. There was a dolphin display on the stereo face. The front seat might have been a “bench seat” and the seats were possibly leather.

The public can also view other drawings on KCSO’s website beginning this afternoon.

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

The King County Sheriff’s Department reports that they found Carl Wallace, age 58 and suffering from dementia, Friday night (July 16) in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Wallace was found safe, with his vehicle and dog “Frankie.”

He was first reported missing from the Burien area on Friday July 16th:

PREVIOUSLY:

On Friday (July 16) the King County Sheriff’s Department sent out word that they’re seeking the public’s help in finding 58-year old Carl Wallace, last seen in Burien.

According to police, he was last seen Thursday (July 15th) in the Burien area, and might be intending to drive to California.

Wallace suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, and is in the area from Idaho for medical treatment.

The missing man has little gas, no credit or debit cards, little money, and did not know how to get to the freeway from Burien.

He is likely driving a black, 1990 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, Idaho license 1AEB756.

His dog “Frankie” is with him, a brown and white border collie, weighing about 40 lbs.

Wallace is 5’ 7” tall, 180 lbs., and gray hair, blue eyes, and a full beard.

He has a tattoo on his left forearm of purple roses with “Carl + Betty.” He is wearing a gray shirt, tan shorts, tan boat shoes, and might have a purple sweater.

If anyone sees Carl Wallace they should call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours).

We just received word from Highline Public Schools that they are investigating allegations that Jayson Boehm, a one-time volunteer for Evergreen High School athletic teams, provided health care to student athletes without appropriate medical supervision, as well as possibly fondling some male athletes.

Upon learning of the allegations, the district fired Boehm and barred him from school property.

According to the district, the allegations against Boehm came to light through two sources:

1. A school nurse alerted her supervisor when she noticed that Boehm had written a medical excuse for a student.
2. At the same time, a King County Sheriff’s detective alerted the district of their investigation into allegations that Boehm inappropriately examined an athlete in a Police Athletic League boxing competition in White Center (read our coverage of that event here). The athlete is an adult and not a student.

The district says that the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Health have been investigating Boehm’s conduct. The district is cooperating with these agencies and has launched its own investigation, taking the following actions:

• Identifying an outside investigator to continue the investigation.
• Contracted with WIAA to conduct a full audit of the management of high school and middle school athletic programs and pledged to fully comply with the recommendations of WIAA.
• Placed the district athletic director and a high school athletic director on administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation.
• Informing parents of all students who received physicals from Boehm. Parents of students participating in spring sports were immediately informed by personal phone call.
• Arranged for all affected athletes to receive physicals from the Highline Youth Health Center at district expense.

“Student safety is our highest priority,” said Superintendent John Welch. “We are committed to making any changes necessary to ensure the protection and well-being of all students participating in our programs.”

As a substitute stadium manager, Boehm was to provide logistical support for activities at Highline’s Memorial Field in Burien. He had also been contracted to provide first aid at athletic events and to give first aid training to coaches and PE teachers, which he was qualified to do as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician.

Boehm had also served as a substitute stadium manager at Highline Stadium in Burien.

The King County Sheriff’s Department says that a shooting early Saturday morning (May 15) about 2:30am left a man dead in a White Center street.

The male victim was found in the eastbound lanes of the 1500 block of SW Roxbury Street. He was dead when police arrived after receiving a 9-1-1 call about a shooting. He was shot at least once, and in his early 20s.

According to a witness who was driving by and heard several gunshots, the man stumbled out of an alley and collapsed in the street. There were numerous people in the alley, but most were gone when Sheriff’s deputies arrived, just minutes later.

No one has come forward who actually witnessed the shooting.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

UPDATE 3/31/10: According to KING5 News (see video below), King County Sheriff’s Officers tracked down and arrested three suspects from Tuesday’s wild burglary chase in White Center.

Police got a tip that led them to a motel where they found the suspects, a possible getaway vehicle as well as stolen merchandise.

As we reported from the scene Tuesday near the intersection of 18th SW and SW 107th, police had barricaded streets, brought in a K-9 unit and chopper, and were scouring the neighborhood in body armor while carrying some rather intimidating rifles.

Reports are that the burglars were caught red-handed in a house, then challenged by gun and machete-toting homeowners who chased them down.

Here’s KING’s report:

PREVIOUSLY:
Late Tuesday morning (March 30), the King County Sheriff’s Department and Seattle Police had a major show of force near the intersection of 18th Ave SW and SW 107th Streets in White Center, as they searched for two burglar suspects who were trying to rob a nearby home.

According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the Sheriff’s office, three burglars were caught red-handed when homeowners walked in and interrupted a robbery in progress. Two of them fled the scene and one was arrested.

Reports are that one of them may live in the area or may be hiding in a nearby home.

Streets were blocked off, the Sheriff’s “Guardian One” chopper hovered overhead, a K-9 unit was brought in and several police officers were seen carrying M-16 rifles as they combed the area searching for the remaining two suspects.

“I was on the phone with my homegirl,” said a bystander named Richard. “…they were driving through with a truck, got stuck in the mud, got out, started waving guns, she called the cops and stuff like that…”

Our own Bart Bryan was on the scene to capture the following video and photos:

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, along with other public safety officials, will be giving a special presentation on Tuesday, March 9th from 6pm – 8pm at the South Park Community Center, just down the hill from White Center.

The purpose of this meeting is to address area safety issues, especially gang activity.

Sheriff Rahr will be joined by Jaime Mendez from Univision Seattle TV and La Voz de Washington radio, along with other local gang prevention specialists to talk to Latino families in the community about keeping their kids out of gangs. King County Deputy and Burien Police Officer Joe Gagliardi, a regional expert on gangs and gang activity, will give a visual presentation that will be simultaneously translated for the audience by Mendez.

Mendez, a local Latino radio and television news personality, is also the voice and face of a series of Spanish language radio and television commercials that the Sheriff’s Office has been running which identify the signs of gang involvement that families need to look for.

“We have to make an effort to talk to every community – and language and culture cannot be our excuse not to reach out and do something,” notes Sheriff Rahr.

The Sheriff’s Office E-911 Communications Center can answer many foreign language calls and refer callers to available translators who can help. The Latino community effort is made possible by federal gang prevention funding generated by Washington State congressional delegation members, including Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Jim McDermott. The Sheriff intends to expand this project to other communities where English is a second language for adults in the family home.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Sheriff Sue Rahr and other public safety officials will discuss gang activity in South Park.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 9th from 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: South Park Community Center, located at 8319 8th Ave South.

INFO: From a press release:

Keep Your Family and Community Safe!

The King County Sheriff’s Office invites residents of South Park to an important event at the South Park Community Center. Gang activity is increasing and dangerous to your family, and especially to your children. Come to this special event to learn how to keep your kids from becoming involved in gangs. Meet police officers who are here to help your family in the community. Experts will be presenting information and knowledge about how gangs operate and what you can do to keep them away from your neighborhood.

Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: South Park Community Center

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr and other public safety officials ask that you attend this special presentation to learn from experts on gangs and listen to answers to these questions:

• How serious is the gang problem in South Park?
• What can parents do to keep children away from the influence and pressure of gang involvement?
• What are the signs that tell you when gangs are active in your community?
• What can the residents of South Park do to help the Sheriff’s deputies to keep gangs out of their neighborhood?

The King County Sheriff understands your concerns about persons being asked to show documentation of their immigration status. This gang awareness and prevention event is only about keeping your family and community safe. No questions about personal identification will be asked of those who attend this special presentation. Your participation is essential to making this occasion successful, so these amenities will be provided at no cost:

• Food and beverages
• Games and care for small children.
• Fun activities for teenagers.

by Scott Schaefer

You may remember Jeff Kearney, the mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run crime last November at a marked crosswalk on 16th SW and SW 106th  in White Center (read our previous coverage here).

Jeff was recently discharged from Burien Nursing and Rehab, where he had been staying for the last several weeks after spending time at both Harborview and Highline Medical Center.

He is now recuperating at his home, and Burien Rehab Director Nate Neff sent us this email update:

Scott –

I just wanted to give you a quick update.

Jeff Kearney went home yesterday.

He had been wanting to go home for several days and had been vocalizing it. He has made quite the journey from his tragic accident. While here his feeding tube was removed and he began eating on his own, his cognition cleared up and he was able to clearly speak his needs and wants. Also, his strength increased greatly and he became able to propel himself in his wheelchair. He is still planning on getting some more rehab at home but Jeff was ready to go home.

We wish him the best of luck and are grateful for the opportunity to care for him.

- Nate

On Friday (Feb. 12th), we caught up with Jeff in person at the Mark Restaurant and Bar in Burien, where we found him enjoying a Roy Rogers drink, courtesy his good friend and Discover Burien Events Supervisor Debra George.

Jeff sat at a table near the bar, with his blue protective helmet sitting in a chair nearby.

We spoke with him for a few moments, mostly small talk, and noticed that his old, familiar smile was still there. We asked him how he was feeling, what he was doing, and his face lit up on the occasions we mentioned various women he knew and the hugs he associates with them. While a bit slow to respond, Jeff seemed keenly intent on resuming his work, as well as the numerous relationships with many locals, and it was an uplifting experience to see, especially considering how terribly he was struck and injured (reports say the SUV/truck that hit him was going around 35mph).

Debra George reminded us though that Jeff still needs help walking, but is getting stronger with each day.

This man has come a long way, but he still has a way to go, and we wish him the best. We have a feeling that by the time the Burien Farmer’s Market opens again in May that he’ll be back to his old self.

Sadly, the hit-and-run driver is apparently still at large. A $1,000 reward remains in effect, and the investigation is continuing.

The suspect vehicle, which struck Jeff in a crosswalk on 16th SW and SW 106th in White Center, had damage to the left front fender, and lost its driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror at the scene. It is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:

• GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
• Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
• Suburban: 1992-1999
• GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
• Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999

If you recognize the suspect vehicle or have any leads, please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.

And if you wish to visit Jeff or send him your wishes, feel free to contact Debra George at the Mark Restaurant in Burien: (206) 241-MARK.

A hit-and-run rampage happened Monday night around 7:45pm in White Center when a van struck at least four different vehicles before fleeing to Burien.

The crime occurred at the intersection of 4th Ave SW and SW Roxbury before the driver drove off and later abandoned his van in Burien.

According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department:

There was a H & R accident at 4th & Roxbury last night about 7:45 PM.

The driver of the other car was taken to Harborview with non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect vehicle took off striking a car, (causing considerable damage) at Olson & Myers Way, then continuing southbound.

My understanding is that other cars were hit as well as it drove on.

The suspect car finally pulled into a random driveway at SW 130th and 8th Ave South.

The driver and two passengers fled on foot and could not be located, even with a K-9 dog.

The suspect vehicle was a 2000 Toyota Siena.

The hit and run driver is still at large, and the reasoning for the crime is still undetermined.

UPDATE Thursday 2/4/10: We just received word from Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department that the driver of the smashed-up Kia (pictured, left) involved in Wednesday’s 3-car crash at the intersection of First Ave South and SW 112th has died at Harborview Medical Center.

He was a 49 year-old Burien man, and his identity has not yet been released by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Click here to read our previous coverage, including photos shot at the scene.

This week marks the fourth anniversary of the death of Nicole Pietz, who was last seen at her Lynnwood home by her husband on January 27, 2006.

The body of Pietz, 32, was found strangled Feb. 6, 2006, in a wooded area near South 114th and Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien (see map below).

Her car, a 2003 Jetta was found in the University District about two weeks later.

After four years, this case remains unsolved, according to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department.

The reward for information on the case that leads to an arrest or conviction is at $36,000. In addition, Gail Schneider, Nicole’s mother, has said the family will pay the legal costs for anyone who comes forward with information germane to the case, but wishes to use the services of an attorney.

The case is active and still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.

Here are some photos provided by the family of Nicole:

Pietz’ body was found nearby in a wooded area near South 114th and Des Moines Memorial Drive:

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Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hrs).

The King County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday morning (Nov. 19th) that they need help in finding the vehicle that struck and critically injured Jeff Kearney, who was struck in a White Center crosswalk on Tuesday.

Kearney, 36, well-known in Burien as part of “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th. The suspect vehicle was southbound on 16th when it struck him. The vehicle slowed but did not stop and was last seen driving off southbound on 16th.

Kearney was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition, where he remains.

According to police, a driver’s side exterior mirror was found at the scene. There will also be damage to the left front fender.

The vehicle is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:

• GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
• Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
• Suburban: 1992-1999
• GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
• Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999

If anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.

PREVIOUSLY:

Sad news for the area – a hit and run accident late Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 17th) on 16th SW in White Center has put Jeff Kearney in critical condition in a medically-induced coma in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Jeff is known to most everyone in Burien as a huge part of “Team Clean Sweep,” and you’ve probably seen him or talked to him at one of the city’s many local events over the last several years. Despite being mentally-challenged, he is a very happy, gregarious, kind and hard-working 36-year old who seemingly knows everyone in town (especially the ladies).

On a personal note, we would often see Jeff at the weekly Farmer’s Market, and he’d always ask us how we were doing, where Janet was, how our parents were, how our spouses were and more, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company.

According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, the hit and run happened around 5:33pm Tuesday (Nov. 17th), when Jeff was crossing a marked crosswalk in White Center. The suspect vehicle was driving southbound on 16th SW at around 35mph, and struck him while he was still in the crosswalk, throwing Jeff some 30 feet. The vehicle, identified as a black SUV or truck, slowed down, then took off southbound on 16th. Reports are that an external side rear-view mirror fell off the vehicle. The driver is still at large.

“Jeff’s in a medically-induced coma right now,” said Mike Lindorff, his legal guardian and uncle. “He’s got minor fractures on his back and face, but the most concerning thing right now is that he has bleeding on the brain. They have drilled a hole in his head and are trying to reduce pressure so they can wake him up, and they won’t know if he has brain damage until then.”

Everyone here at The B-Town Blog, especially the ladies who were all well-known by him, send our hopes, prayers and meditations to our friend Jeff Kearney for a full and speedy recovery.

We ask also that our Readers take a moment to look at Jeff’s photo and send positive vibes his way.

Also, according to Debra George, who worked closely with Jeff:

“If you’d like to drop anything off you can drop it off at the Mark Restaurant & Bar (918 SW 152nd Street) and I will make sure it gets to him as soon as he is out of ICU.

Thank you for your kindness.”

On another note, we hope that the police catch the hit and run driver and that justice is fully served.

If you have any information on a suspect black SUV or truck that is missing a side rear-view mirror, please call 911 immediately.

UPDATE: We just received the following update from Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department:

A 41 year-old woman shot her 55 year-old boyfriend at least twice with a handgun around 10:30pm last night (Oct. 1st) in the 800 block of SW 117th in unincorporated King County, just to the north of Burien.

The male victim was taken to Harborview Hospital with non life- threatening injuries.

The pair live with the man’s brother and the woman’s 15 year-old son, both of whom were home at the time of the shooting.

The son called 911 and everyone except the female suspect made their way out of the house as deputies arrived.

The woman refused to come out of the house or communicate with deputies. Eventually the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team entered the residence and took the woman into custody just before 2:00 AM.  No one was injured.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault 1st Degree.  A small caliber handgun was recovered inside the house.

King County Sheriff’s detectives are looking for a “low key” man (surveillance photos above) who robbed a White Center bank last Friday, Sept. 4th.

According to authorities, the man was so mellow, other employees and customers didn’t know the bank was robbed until the teller called 911.

The robber casually meandered into Chase Bank, located at 1616 SW 100th Street about 2:30pm, walked up to a teller and said he wanted to make “a withdrawal.” The teller said he would need a withdrawal slip and directed him to the forms table. According to deputies, the man went to the table and appeared to fill out the slip.

The suspect got back in line and eventually made his way to the original teller. This time he leaned into the teller’s window, and said in a deep, soft voice that “this was a robbery.”

The man was given cash and he quietly left the bank. No gun was seen and there was no note.

The robber is a black male about 45 years old, 5’ 8” tall and approximately 175 lbs. He had a mustache and goatee and wore jeans, a brown fleece-type zippered coat and a brown fabric hat with a short bill.

If anyone recognizes the man they should call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or dial 911.

Detectives from the King County Sheriff’s Department are turning to the public in the hopes of identifying this pair of likely mail thieves who used a stolen debit card in several area cities:

The two suspects “hit the motherlode” when they stole mail which included a brand new debit card and PIN.

The stolen card was subsequently used in Federal Way, Tacoma, Tukwila, and Puyallup.

The fraud was discovered recently when unknown charges popped up on the victim’s new debit card account. The bank had supposedly mailed the card and PIN in separate envelopes, but both appeared to have been stolen from the mail.

The victim is a resident of SeaTac, and the loss is several thousand dollars.

If anyone recognizes the suspects they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

The King County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a white, 1990s-model 4-door BMW 5 Series car (see included reference photos of a similar vehicle) driven by the suspects in a shooting that left an 18 year-old man dead on Wednesday night.

As our sister site The B-Town Blog reported, the incident occurred about 11:30pm on Wednesday, June 24th. The victim was in the back seat of a car that was southbound on Military Road South. Four friends were with him in the car. A second vehicle began following the victim’s car but turned off at South 140th. As it did, several rounds were fired and the man was hit.

The men drove straight to Highline Medical Center in Burien, and the victim collapsed in the entrance to the Emergency Room. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The dead man is believed to be from California and was in the area visiting relatives.

If anyone recognizes the vehicle or has information on the shooting they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.

When writing fiction, oftentimes writers resort to having to depict a bad guy as being “really bad” by showing him hurting an animal; this is often referred to as the “kicking the dog” scene, and it’s intended to make audiences hate the antagonist.

However, in this true story, the bad guy is so bad that we won’t have to resort to writing that scene – he already lived it out, and is now paying for it:

King County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 47-year old man in White Center Sunday on animal cruelty charges after he allegedly severely injured a church’s cat with a box cutter knife.

The incident occurred at Cross Church, located at 1320 SW 102nd in White Center (map below).

The church operates a live-in recovery program, and the male suspect was one of its residents.

Another resident was awakened by the suspect about 1am Sunday morning. The suspect said he had “gutted the cat.” The resident thought the suspect was intoxicated, and both men ended up going to bed.

The next morning the suspect moved out.

That afternoon the church pastor found the church’s cat, “Scat” in the parking lot. He had serious cuts and puncture wounds, including a seven-inch cut, and possibly three broken ribs as well.

Sheriff’s deputies tracked down the suspect Sunday afternoon. He was arrested and booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Animal Cruelty. He told the arresting deputy the cat “attacked” him.

Scat is at a local veterinary hospital and it is unknown if he will survive his injuries. He is around 10 years old.

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