Yesterday we reported that several women in the neighborhood have been suspiciously approached and propositioned by a strange man who was later found to be driving a stolen vehicle. Based on reports from many women who encountered this man, now referred to as the “Queen Anne Creeper”, SPD was able to locate and arrest him, and is asking any women who may have been approached by him but never reported the incident to come forward. In a letter addressed to the community yesterday, crime prevention officer Terrie Johnston wrote:
Many Block Watch captains & contacts contacted me over the past 3 days to confirm reports of a white male with a goatee driving around Queen Anne and approaching women, (some with children) and asking for directions to Magnolia. In some of the instances he made suggestive, and inappropriate sexual comments to the women. You may have read about this individual in local blogs. A patrol officer, Off. Alstrin attempted to keep the neighbors informed about this guy, and information about the incidents was shared with West Precinct personnel. Here’s the great part! I shared many of your tips (phone calls and emails) with Offs. Hockett and Warner of our Comm. Police Team. Through their excellent follow-up skills, and using your tips they were able to identify the suspect and he was arrested. Now asking for directions is not a crime, so what’s the big deal? Well, he was definitely unnerving the women he contacted, and he was acting suspiciously. But through the keen observations made by community members, it was learned that he was in a stolen vehicle. We came to find out he is under DOC [Department of Corrections] supervision, and we trust the judge will be interested in his recent activities. The CPT officers credit, in large part, the good information and tips that you called or emailed me about, as assisting them w/getting positive identification on him, witness statements about the stolen vehicle, etc.
Johnston asks anyone who recalls being approached by this individual to contact Officer David Hockett at (206) 684-7720 or email Erik Warner at erik.warner@seattle.gov and make a statement. Johnston added:
We would like to document as many of the incidents as possible for potential prosecution. Many women called to say they regretted they never called 9-1-1 when they were approached by this individual, so this is another reminder that if something feels weird, or suspicious to you-please trust your gut and call it in to 911. 911 is not only for reporting emergencies, but for reporting suspicious behaviors, people, vehicles, etc. Thanks for caring so much about your neighborhood, and for sharing info with your neighbors.
Seattle Police Crime Prevention officers can be reached at (206) 684-4741.