Seattle child kidnapping suspect has been arrested 105 times

Written by Gary Horcher

A 47-year-old man charged last week with a violent attempt to kidnap a 9-year-old girl and break into a South Seattle apartment has been arrested 104 previous times in King County over the last 14 years, according to court records.

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Seattle police arrested Randolph Neil Humiston on May 30 at 14th Avenue South and South Henderson Street after he allegedly grabbed and dragged a girl on a playground, according to charging documents. Prosecutors say the girl kicked and screamed at Humiston until he released her.

Ernesto Martinez, who lives a short distance from the playground told KIRO 7 he first saw Humiston when he broke into Martinez’s apartment while his family was having dinner.

“I never saw him before, but I saw him, and I yelled and chased him,” Martinez said. Seattle police say Martinez chased Humiston for several blocks until patrol cars arrived and arrested Humiston — for the 105th time since 2005.

“I told the police that if he actually took a little girl, they would be arresting me instead of that guy. I mean, I’m not going to let that happen.”

Court records indicate many times, Humiston was released within a day or two after being arrested, and he consistently listed his address as the Compass Housing Alliance in Seattle, indicating he is homeless.

Prosecutors noted Humiston was placed in the jail’s psych ward in 2017, and would “likely commit an act of violence,” if released.

Records indicate a few of the cases were dismissed because Humiston was found to be incompetent.

Humiston’s career criminal conviction resume includes four felonies, and 38 gross misdemeanors including “Threats to Kill, Assault, Resisting Arrest, Stalking, Escape, Indecent Exposure, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon and many Vehicle Prowl” and multiple drug convictions, according to court records.

Humiston is currently being held on $150,000 bail. Martinez told KIRO 7 he will look for Humiston “In case he gets out again.”

“Somebody who’s trying to grab a little kid, especially when they’re all drugged up? He shouldn’t be out,” Martinez said. “If he gets out, it’s not a threat or anything, but if I see him here? I’m not going to just chase him, I’m going to tackle him.”