Community Post

Woman kidnapped at 23rd & Jackson, assaulted in West Seattle

According to a post on the SPD blotter, early this evening a 19 year old woman was forced into a car and driven to an apartment in West Seattle where she was assaulted and robbed. The victim was able to escape from the apartment, call police, and the suspect was arrested as he tried to escape.

Police say that they believe the suspect was known to the victim, but the extent of their relationship is not clear.

The suspect, a 33 year old taxi driver, was booked into the King County Jail on multiple charges, including investigation of kidnapping, assault, rape, robbery, and vehicle theft. 

Business license records also match the suspect’s address to the apartment in the 6000 block of Lanham Place SW where the assault took place.

A search of court records show that the suspect was the respondent (i.e. aggressor) in two protection orders in 2009. One was issued in July, and another was brought to court in November but dismissed later that month after the petitioner failed to appear for a hearing.

Other than a long string of traffic infractions, the only other criminal record we can find for the suspect are two misdemeanor domestic violence assault charges in 2007 and May of 2009. Both of those cases were dismissed.

Here’s the full report from SPD:

On April 7th at approximately 1800 hours, a 33-year-old male suspect abducted a 19-year-old female victim in the area of 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street.  The suspect told the victim he was armed with a gun (although no gun was displayed), forced her into a car (which the suspect had stolen from a friend earlier in the day), and drove her to an apartment in the 6000 block of Lanham Place SW.

The suspect attempted to sexually assault the victim but was unsuccessful.  He physically assaulted the victim and stole her money.  The victim was able to escape from the residence and call 911 on her cell phone.

Responding officers arrived within one minute of being dispatched and located the victim outside of the apartment.  Officers located and apprehended the suspect in the parking lot while he was attempting to flee the scene in a car. 

The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries. 

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Auto Theft, Investigation of Kidnapping, Investigation of Assault, Investigation of Robbery, and Investigation of Attempted Rape (all felony charges).

The suspect’s vehicle was impounded and taken to the evidence garage for processing.  No gun was located.  Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect and victim were not strangers, however it is unknown at this time to what extent they knew each other.  This remains an active and on-going investigation.

0 thoughts on “Woman kidnapped at 23rd & Jackson, assaulted in West Seattle

  1. Just for the record I have been using Yellow Greytop and Orange Cab for years. On average I take a cab about once a month and if my car is in the shop at least 3 or 4 times a month. Am an attractive woman and started using these cab companies in my early twenties. I have also used the airport cab company for years, (I believe it is Sitka). I have only had one incident with Yellow Cab. That was in the early 90’s. I called Yellow Cab, they were very responsive and I never saw the driver again. I don’t know if the other cab companies have had any problems but I will say that, in my experience, with the ones I have used for over 20 years I have had very professional experiences except that one time.

  2. I find it hard to imagine why no witnesses called for assistance once this victim was dragged into this stollen car. The location was one of our busiest local business intersection ( Jackson and 23rd Ave ). It seems to me we usually have what is a packed Star Bucks Coffee shop on the corner, Welch Tower across from it, and just down from mini-mall where Red Apple is located.

    My cheer to this outstandingly brave young Lady that fought off her attacker, escaped, and stood in front of the very apartment building where her attacker was, and waited for the prompt responce of our Police representatives. I am grateful that she was not physically harmed, but what kind of a toll does something like this take on a victem’s mental state, and feelings of safety? So, again I am saddened by the continued local violence, and can’t help but wonder again, why no-one saw her abduction or if they did, why no-one was willing to step forward to her aid or at least to call for help?

  3. You’re new to the CD aren’t you?

    More blind people here than at a Helen Keller conference.

  4. Force is a bit ambiguous. All he may have done is said he had a gun and told her to get into the car. Even if he applied some physical pressure it may have not been immediately apparent.

    Its pretty scary how hard it can be to really spot crime at times.

    Though, Daved is right and unfortunately too many people do nothing when they see crime happening.

  5. If you really are a friend of the suspect, I understand you’re trying to help, but posting your address is a VERY dangerous thing to do on a public article with this extreme level of emotion attached.

    Also, posting his name is *not* a good idea, since that also exposes him in a way that the newspaper did not. Until the case is heard in a court of law, the victim AND the suspect deserve their privacy. Police & officials know who they are, that’s enough.

    Let people email you, and once you’re sure they’re not ill-intentioned, you can meet them publicly to aid your friend’s case.

    You are risking your safety anytime you post your personal address & phone number on the internet.

  6. Who ever removed Mr. Ali’s personal data, Thank You!

    The fact that Mr. Ali stepped forward to defend his friend, to let us know that the suspected attacker had issues, and that we may not have the full story, is commendable and appreciated. It appears to me that Mr. Ali is a person of integrity, trusting, giving and a man his friends are lucky to have supporting them. But ( isn’t there always a “but”? ), providing too much personal data, especially when related to a story such as this, may not be wise or safe. I can say that Mr. Ali’s offer and comments ( already removed from CL ) were appreciated, and insightful. Thank You Mr. Ali, and also to the person that removed his personal data from CL.