Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: Suspected Arsonist Destroys Lid Park Porta Potty

The following information from Aug. 19 - Sept. 5 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

are investigating a Sept. 3 midnight arson attack on a porta potty, completely destroying it.

Someone is believed to have set fire to the portable toilet which was housed in a wood and metal Mercer Island Parks structure in a corner of the Lid Park parking lot on the 2200 block of West Mercer Way. Melted plastic was all that remained of the flaming porta potty, which was reported by a 24-year-old Cle Elum man at 12:05 a.m. The structure around the toilet and nearby bushes were also burned.

Damages were estimated at $1,000.

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Aug. 19

Bellevue Woman Fails to Heed MIPD in Traffic Stop

A Mercer Island Police patrol officer on Interstate 90 attempted to pull over a silver BMW 335i for a traffic violation at 1:25 a.m., but the 37-year-old Bellevue driver ignored the officer's commands to stop. The MIPD officer followed the woman for several miles until she pulled over, and cited her for failure to obey a police officer.

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Aug. 25

Woman Fractures Arm in El Dorado House Party Fracas

A 21-year-old Seattle woman was assualted at a house party on the 3700 block of East Mercer Way at around 1 a.m., causing a possible fracture of her arm. Witnesses say a 23-year-old Seattle man threw her to the ground, causing the injury. Police later identified the man for questioning in the case.

MIPD Assists in Bellevue PD DUI Arrest

Mercer Island Police took custody of a Bellevue Police DUI suspect during a in Bellevue at 12:37 a.m. The 36-year-old Brier man refused to perform field sobriety or breathalyzer tests. His Chrysler Sebring was towed and he was processed and later given a courtesy ride home.

MIPD Officer Executes 'High-Risk' Stop in I-90 DUI Arrest

A 47-year-old North Bend man was arrested for DUI near the 150th Ave. SE exit of Interstate 90 after an MIPD patrol officer executed a high-risk manuever to pull him over. The officer tried to perform a traffic stop at 10:07 p.m. on the Porsche Boxter 986 at the eastbound I-90 on-ramp from Island Crest Way, but the motorist failed to obey orders to pull over. A breathalyzer test later measured his BAC at .162 and .170, over twice the legal limit. He was processed and released.

Aug. 26

Senior Citizen Shoots Self in Foot

An 85-year-old resident of a home on the 9000 block of SE 44th Street accidentally shot himself in the left foot at around 11 a.m. His niece drove him to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, where he was treated and released.

South-End Home Window Shattered By Vandal

A rock thrown by an unknown suspect smashed a 3x5 window of a home at around 9 p.m. on the 6800 block of West Mercer Way. The 59-year-old homeowner reported the damage the following day, which was estimated at $500.

Aug. 27

Burglar Chased From East Mercer Residence

Responding to a noise in the basement, a 51-year-old homeowner surprised a male burglar in her home on the 6100 block of 93rd Ave. SE at 10:48 a.m. near a "dog door". The woman yelled at the burglar, who fled through the basement door. Nothing was reported missing from the residence. A police K-9 unit was unable to track the burglar's scent.

12-Speed Bike Stolen From IMS

A yellow and black bike helmet and a 12-speed Marin bicycle were stolen from an unsecured area of sometime between Aug. 20-23. The bike's estimated value is $349.

Liquor Thieves Strike Albertsons Again

grocery store reported the theft of several bottles of liquor from inside the store at around 11:30 p.m., and the thieves made their getaway in a a silver Chevrolet Tahoe.

Aug. 28

Car Prowler Smashes Window, Swipes GPS Device

A 74-year-old resident of a home on the 4000 block of West Mercer Way reported his Toyota Highlander SUV was prowled sometime overnight and a Garmin GPS device had been taken from inside. The prowler entered the vehicle by smashing through the driver's side window and damages were estimated at $750.

Japanese National Loses Passport

A 69-year-old Japanese woman visiting her daughter on Mercer Island reported the loss of her passport sometime on or after Aug. 25.

SeaTac Man Jailed for Probation Violation

Police escorted a 22-year-old SeaTac man to King County Jail after a judge sentenced him to serve 180 days in confinement for a probation violation.

Mysterious Backpack, Knife Found in Wildwood Park

Mercer Island Parks Staff turned in a backpack found in containing clothing and miscellanious items, including a mobile phone, a sheathed knife and a majiuana grinder.

Aug. 29

Seattle Woman Leaves Keys at Luther Burbank Park

A 43-year-old Seattle woman reported her keys missing after she left them near the flag pole at on Aug. 26.

Resident Alleges $6-$10K of Jewelry Stolen by Homeless 'Acquaintance'

A 52-year-old resident of a home on the 3900 block of 90th Avenue SE alleged a "former acquaintance" had stolen jewelry from her home valued between $6,000 to $10,000. The woman, her son and her boyfriend had all been staying in the home off and on since May. ย 

Aug. 31

'Driver Inattention' to Blame in ICW Vehicle Rollover

A 24-year-old Bellevue man rolled his Honda CRV over onto the passenger side in the southbound lanes of Island Crest Way near SE 40th St. after causing a multi-vehicle collision at 4:12 p.m. The driver turned off of westbound SE 40th St. and accidentially veered into the northbound lanes of Island Crest Way, colliding with a Toyota Rav4. The Honda driver said he was helping a friend move and was distracted by a small lamp that fell over inside his car, and attempted to pick it up when collision occurred. The collision caused the Toyota to collide with a Nissan Leaf. No injuries were reported and the Honda driver was cited for inattentive driving.

Sept. 1

Country Club Visitor's Mercedes-Benz Damaged by Vandal

The 28-year-old owner of a C230 Mercedes-Benz parked at the reported his car was "severely scratched" from the driver's side door to the rear of the car.

Police Arrest Seattle Man for DUI

A 58-year-old Seattle man was arrested for DUI at 12:44 a.m. after an MIPD patrol officer stopped the man for failing to stop at a stop sign at the westbound Interstate 90 on-ramp from North Mercer Way. The officer noticed the odor of alcohol on the man's breath and he admitted to drinking alcohol. A breathalyzer test later indicated his BAC above the legal limit at .104 and .095.

Sept. 2

Cigarette Shoplifter Hits Walgreens

A shoplifter stole two cartons of cigarettes, valued at $144.981, from at 10:51 a.m.

Sept. 3

Man, Son Receive Telephone Threats

A 46-year-old resident reported receiving two threatening phone calls on Aug. 31 and Sept. 3, stating that he knew their address and the man and his family "will get yours." The resident receiving the calls said he believed the man who was harassing him was related to another police investigation concerning his 18-year-old son.

Woman Cuts Off Resident in Town Center Collision

A 44-year-old resident driving a Toyota Camry was stopped for traffic on southbound 80th Ave. SE at the intersection with SE 30th St., when a Subaru Forester attempted to pass on the left side and then turned right, cutting her off and causing a collision at 4:30 p.m. The Subaru driver was later cited for failure to yield.

Sept. 4

Collision at Uncontrolled Intersection Near MI Library

A 57-year-old resident was driving a Hyundai Accent northbound on 91st Ave. SE when she failed to yield to a BMW 528i travelling west on SE 43rd St., causing a collision. No injuries were reported and she was later cited for failure to yield.

Kayak Stolen from Cedar Grove Community Beach

A 70-year-old homeowner reported the theft of her 9-foot red Old Town "Otter" kayak from the Cedar Grove community beach area sometime over the past three weeks.

Senior's Debit Card Used Without Permission

Police are investigating a 22-year-old Seattle woman for the unauthorized use of a 70-year-old man's debit card. Losses of $405 were reported from the man's account.

Bike Stolen From Tarywood Driveway

The resident of a home on the 6900 block of 93rd Ave. SE reported the theft of her son's mountian bike over the past four days. The Dawes Haymaker bicycle had been sitting unsecured in the driveway. ย 

Burglars Strike Ferncroft Home

Burglars made off with home electronics and jewelryโ€” including a 50-inch plasma TV โ€” from a home on the 4400 block of East Mercer Way sometime between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. while the residents were away. The burglars are beleived to have entered through a pation window and exited through the front door.

Sept. 5

Skateboarder Arrested on Local $2,500 Warrant

Police arrested a 23-year-old resident skateboarding near his home on the 4300 block of Island Crest Way at 12:21 a.m. on a local $2,500 misdemeanor warrant. He was booked into the Issaquah Jail.


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