Police Blotter: Arsonist Strikes First Hill Home

Residents of First Hill, still fretting over a wave of car prowls that struck the neighborhood last month, are now worried about an arsonist who tried to set the fence of a home on fire early Saturday morning.

According to Mercer Island Police, an unknown suspect tried to ignite the fence and front gate of a home on the 2400 block of 72nd Avenue SE on April 16 sometime between 1 - 2:15 a.m. 

Resident Lisa Cluett awoke to neighbors pounding on her door to inform her that her fence was on fire and that they had called the fire department, but the fire had extinguished itself before firefighters arrived.

"Someone poured gas along a 30-foot stretch of fencing surrounding our property then lit it, she said. "We all smelled it as the fire department investigated the scene."

Unconfirmed reports also describe bark-chip landscaping poured over the hood of a car parked close to the site of the fence fire. There are no known suspects in the arson investigation.

Monday, April 11

(Found Property) Police were contacted around noon about a small row-boat floating about 100 yards off-shore near the 7200 block of East Mercer Way. A Mercer Island marine patrol unit located and recovered the craft just south of the sighting, and estimated its worth at $50.

(Malicious Mischief) A resident of the 7600 block of SE 34th Street alleged someone had "keyed" her SC400 Lexus overnight as it sat parked in her driveway overnight. Police are investigating a 28-year-old man in the case.

(Injured Pedestrian) A 68-year-old woman walking in Luther Burbank Park at around 4:15 p.m. walked off an improved trail near Lake Washington and slipped and twisted her ankle on a grassy ridge, north of the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Building. Mercer Island Fire Department EMTs responded and sent the woman via commercial ambulance to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue for treatment.

(Vehicle Prowl) An unlocked Ford Windstar van parked on the 7600 block of 27th Avenue was allegedly entered illegally and a wallet containing cash was removed sometime between 2:30-10:30 p.m. Losses were estimated at around $25.

Wednesday, April 13

(Assault) A 19-year-old male resident and his girlfriend were reportedly arguing about money outside his apartment at 3:51 a.m. when the man allegedly grabbed the woman by the neck and threw her to the ground. The woman, 18, tried to push the man off of her until she was released when the man's mother arrived at the scene. He was later arrested and booked into the Issaquah Jail.

(Vehicle Accident) A Chevrolet truck and trailer off-loading a mechanical excavator at around 9:20 a.m. on the 6900 block of SE 33rd Street when the load became unbalanced and began to shift downhill. The trailer ran off the road, causing the truck to spin around and strike several mailboxes, an address monument and a tree before coming to a rest.

Thursday, April 14

(Warrant Arrest) Police investigating a disturbance on the 9000 block of East Shorewood Drive at 1:16 a.m. arrested a Lake Forest Park woman, 27, wanted on an arrest warrant.

(Car Accident) A local resident reported an 82-year-old resident driving an ES3 Lexus allegedly collided with her car on March 31 in the South-End QFC parking lot. The suspect reportedly drove away, but not before the victim was able to memorize the license plate number of the other vehicle. Police later interviewed both vehicle owners on April 14 and determined the damage was consistent with the victim's statement, but issued no citation.

(Theft) A Bellevue resident visiting the Mercer Island Library between noon and 1 p.m. reported her black day-planner was stolen after she left it unattended.

(Warrant Arrest) Police arrested a Seattle man on the 7600 block of North Mercer Way at around 10 p.m. after a routine traffic stop revealed the man was driving without a license and was wanted by the King County Sheriff's Office.

Friday, April 15

(Traffic Hazard) A local resident driving a Toyota Prius on the 7400 block of Island Crest Way allegedly ran over a piece of drain pipe/metal ring left in the roadway at around 11 a.m. The debris reportedly caused significant damage to the vehicle.

(Malicious Mischief) Unknown suspects throwing eggs allegedly damaged two cars driving on Island Crest Way. The first incident occurred at 8:30 p.m. on the 4800 block, damaging a Honda Accord, while a second vehicle — a Toyota FJ Cruiser — was struck by eggs on the 3600 block of Island Crest Way at around 10:30 p.m.

(Burglary) A 17-year-old girl studying at home on the 8300 block of SE 57th Street reported two laptops, an iTouch player and jewelry from a nearby dresser were removed from the room after she returned from a short study break at around 8:27 p.m. No signs of forced entry were found and a K-9 unit was unable to track the scent of a possible suspect.

Saturday, April 16

(Narcotics) Police stopped a G20 Infinity at 3:42 a.m. on the 2800 block of 76th Avenue SE for a traffic infraction and officers detected the odor of marijuana inside. The driver, an 18-year-old resident, gave officers a small bag containing marijuana and a "grinder". He was arrested, processed and released from custody.

(Burglary) A resident of a home on the 4100 block of 78th Avenue SE reported a front window of her home was broken and several items valued at $650 were stolen from inside. Some of the items taken include a souvenir "Crater of Diamonds National Park" stone, a silver necklace with a mother of pearl medallion and a Canon digital camera.

(Found Property) A "mental/emotional" 47-year-old drifter was found on the 6400 block of 84th Avenue SE in possession of several items that didn't belong to him. A small rake and a broom were returned to a local resident and police took possession of an "Islanders" umbrella and a garden-style cart for safekeeping. The man was given a courtesy ride to a Seattle-area shelter.