Seattle Police increasing patrols around West Seattle schools after robberies, thefts

The Seattle Police Department is increasing patrols around West Seattle schools following a series of robberies and thefts targeting students.

Police have arrested a 15-year-old suspect in connection with a Jan. 20 robbery near California Avenue SW and SW Lander Street. Detectives believe the suspects related to the robberies and thefts are juveniles.

Increased patrols will be done during morning and evening hours, before and after school, according to the police department. A community police team and bike squad officers have been assigned to focus efforts around the schools.

The police department and Seattle Department of Transportation is working to increase visibility at one of the sites of several recent robberies – a stairwell near SW Holden Street and Delridge Way.

Students from West Seattle reported men attempting to grab or assault them in two separate incidents Wednesday.

The Seattle Police Department is investigating two separate cases in the area, according to Seattle Public School spokeswoman Stacy Howard.

The first incident occurred when a white male in his 40s or 50s attempted to grab a Denny Middle School student at the corner of Thistle and 25th Avenue SW, while the student was walking to school. The student moved into the middle of the road and then notified family and school officials.

In another incident, a white man, who appeared to be 30 years old, attempted to assault and rob a Chief Sealth International High School female student while she walked to school. That student also notified police and family.

The school district sent out a letter to families to notify them of what occurred.

A third incident that was reported Wednesday, which involved a Chief Sealth female student on a Metro bus, is not being investigated. The student was on a Metro bus and reported a man in his 20s or 30s caught the bus with her and “attempted to talk to her in a manner that raised concerns,” according to the letter. Police later arrested the man, who was released because he had not done anything illegal.

The suspects in the cases are different men. None of the incidents happened on school campuses.

One of the incidents is near the same location where a 13-year-old Denny student was robbed at gun point a few weeks ago, Howard said.

“So [police] are definitely looking into that,” she said.

The school district will continue to work with police to monitor the area, according to Howard.

Howard suggested these tips to help keep students safe: walking in pairs or groups; keep music down if listening on headphones or ear buds; keep expensive items out of sight; immediately report anything suspicious.

“We’re proud of our students for reporting these incidents immediately,” Howard said.