Woman attacked by masked man in Ballard

Geeky Swedes Ballard

Just after 10 last night as a 21 year-old woman was walking to her car, a masked man jumped out of the bushes and mugged her near the intersection of 24th NW & NW 59th, a witness and a family member tell us. “We never thought it would happen to us,” the victim’s sister said.

The woman works at one of the restaurants along 24th Ave NW and was heading home after closing up. Her sister tells us that the victim noticed a man walking in front of her, but she didn’t think anything of it. When she looked up again, he was gone. Moments later a masked man wearing all black jumped out of the bushes and grabbed her purse. “Everyone handles these situations differently,” the sister tells us, explaining that she decided to fight back. The man, who is described by witnesses as 5’7″ – 5’8″ tall with a thicker build, dragged the woman about 40 feet before falling down. She took hold of her purse once again, but her sister said he grabbed it back and ran off. Several neighbors ran the direction he ran, but didn’t find him. The victim was not injured but is still shaken up and in shock this morning.

“Women are such a target,” the sister says, “Especially with the big style bags right now.” She has this advice for women, “If you’re going to walk to your car, have your friend, boyfriend, husband, someone walk with you.” (Thank you to a neighbor who emailed us and to the sister for contacting us.)

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

82 thoughts to “Woman attacked by masked man in Ballard”

  3. I wish I had been home a few minutes later last night as I could have tried to help. I got home 15 minutes earlier and live on 60th/24th. Must have been the east side of the road as I don't think there are any bushes on the west side of 59th/24th (at least going north and south on 24th), I think only a couple small trees with bars and apartments.

  4. there really seems to have been a lot of muggings in the downtown Ballard area in the last year and a half or so.. Anyone else finding this overall increase in bold robberies as disturbing as I am??

  5. We keep seeing more and more of these sort of crimes in the Ballard area… As a proud member of this community and an even prouder boyfriend I say criminals in our neighborhood take heed. As a witness to ANY of these kinds of disrespectful acts against our neighbors I would not hesitate to make it “uncomfortable” for the wrong doer. I would ask that my fellow neighbors do the same. Enough is enough.

  8. PLEASE, if anyone decides to carry, please make sure to first take a safety/training course. They offer them at several locations in the greater Seattle area. If you just decide to go out a buy a gun and stick it in your purse you are invariably doing more harm than good.

  9. “prouder boyfriend”????

    concerned citizen, what does that even mean? have you had girlfriends you weren't so proud to be seen with?

  10. Ok, all this $HIT is really starting to piss me off. I love Ballard, Love everything about Ballard. This seems to be happening more and more, like that poor girl who got stabbed up in crown hill. I am tired of it, If I ever get a chance to catch a guy, he will feel my rage. We need to go Boondock Saints on these A-holes and take control over it. Police can't help, criminals need to get the message that the community will not put up with it and they need to get scared, not the other way around.

  11. I don't understand what “Women are such a target” is supposed to mean and where that conclusion came from this one incident. Was this an attack for 'walking while female'?

    Wouldn't the 'big bag' be the target for anyone carrying one? Backpacks too? Wearing an ipod? Anything easy to grab and run?

    Everyone should be cautious and alert after something like this.

    Maybe there could have been a more thoughtful quotation to finish this posting.

  12. It's incredibly disturbing! I'm training for a marathon but am too scared to go running after work anymore since it started getting dark by 5. My roommate often takes walks at night and I'm constantly trying to talk him out of it because of the recent upswing of violence.

    It's all very sad…I hate it.

  14. Was she the last out of the restaurant? If so, why? Businesses that close late at night need to set up schedules by the buddy system, and no on ever walks to their cars alone. Where was the cook/busser/co-worker/manager when she left?

    This is a city we live in, and their are broke and desperate and sometimes just mean and stupid people out there. I don't think this is happening more often, teh internet spreads this info faster, furhter, wider.

  15. It truly doesn't seem to matter, man or woman. A male friend of mine was held up by two guys with tazers right by the post office this last year. He was not carrying any bag/backpack/sack of money. He was shaken down for his cell phone and wallet. This is absolutely unacceptable in my opinion. I have been a resident of Ballard and North Beach for the last 9 years. Why hasn't the police presence increased with the population and night life growth?????

  17. Snowball…. look at the crimes statistics on the SPD's web site…. I think you might rethink your opinion about the internet making this seem bigger than it is. This is Ballard, not Capitol Hill…. I have certain expectations of my own neighborhood and I don't plan on being complacent just because “this is a city we live in”

  18. '“Women are such a target,” the sister says, “Especially with the big style bags right now.”'

    That whooshing sound you hear? Four decades of feminist progress flying out the window.

  19. Is it not widely known that women are targeted more often than men for crimes like these? That's what I understood as the context for the sister's quote–not just this one incident.

  20. Dammit, I heard the woman scream from my apartment last night. I was wondering what the hell happened. Pisses me off to think this kind of stuff is happening in my area. I've lived in NYC and South Florida, and never once had an issue in those areas, especially with the reputation those areas have at times.

    There needs to be more lighting around the area, and more police patrols. I haven't seen much of the police in the area.

  21. Ok, ok, maybe hand guns are too dangerous. How about a Norwegian hakapik? A lady carrying one would send a subliminal message to the thugs.

  22. Find a partner or a group to run with and stick to well-lit and busy streets. Pay attention to your surroundings, as well. I'm not saying that muggings can't happen at any time, but 10pm after closing a restaurant most likely carrying cash tips, isn't the same as a 5pm jog in the neighborhood carrying minimal items.

    I jog both before and after work and have no choice but to do it in the dark in the winter. I won't let fear of random violence stop me.

  24. According to SeattleCrime.com, there was another mugging in this very same area 2 weeks ago where the perp stole a man's wallet and a gun. Maybe one could carry an empty purse or wallet as a theft decoy and keep the real wallet in another zippered pocket. I used to carry a decoy wallet with a few one dollar bills in it that I could give up if I was ever confronted. Or I suppose one could stuff it with fake monopoly money, why waste real money on scumbags. Or a wallet or purse that is remotely controlled to release a brightly colored dye onto the thief so they can be easily seen and hopefully arrested. Or my favorite, a decoy purse that has a live rattlesnake in it.

  25. I thought the same thing for awhile, but there have been some attacks (including that Crown Hill stabbing) happening in the early evening! A man was beat to a pulp by some transients at the corner I live on just a few weeks ago as well.

    If I have a friend to go with, I go – but going alone doesn't seem worth it to me. I'll stick to my indoor treadmill.

  27. Maybe I'll start carrying my pitbull in my purse.

    It's sad that our neighborhood has gotten to the point where we need to talk about carrying decoy wallets and purses. That is like living in Spanish Harlem in the 80's kind of talk. Not the reason we paid so much effing money to buy a house in Ballard.

    I like the colored dye purse idea. I may have to try and make one of those.

  29. Was that really necessary? The point here is her being attacked, not advancing your agenda. Way to be a compassionate human being. No wonder you hate men, no man worth his salt would want to spend any time with you.

  30. Well I am glad to hear that the majority of us are not willing to accept this as our reality just because “this is a city we live in”

  32. We all need to start calling ANYTIME we see crime or vagrants in our neighborhood. The only way to increase our visibility and need is to constantly call the North Precinct of the police.

    If you have an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately.

    To report a crime that is not in progress to the non-emergency line, call (206) 625-5011 and select 8 from the menu.

    Front Desk – (206) 684-0850

    North Burglary/Theft and Juvenile – (206) 684-5735

    North Precinct Community Policing Team – (206) 684-0794
    This number is for chronic, on-going problems that have not been resolved by calling 9-1-1.

    The last option listed above is the one that allows us to log ongoing problems as chronic. Everybody keep calling the precinct. If we all do this regularly, then the situation can improve.

    Mike McGinn is from Greenwood. We should be get far more attention once the mayoral precinct goes from West Seattle to North Seattle. Place your calls in now to get things done.

  33. I certainly do not want to carry a gun, I do believe in the live by the sword die by the sword thing. We do need to do somthing tho, I think if we can catch just one thug, beat him stupid(er). That will leave a message with the others. I am tempted to take a night watch and stock them as my little prey. When I catch one, I will stand over him and say “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the Valley of Darkness; for he is truly his brother's keeper, and the finder of lost children. And, I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers! And, you will know my name is The Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!” Then stomp my steel toe size 13 boot in his skull.

  34. I am not complacent, nor do I advocate for complacency. Quite the opposite. I advocate for watching out for each other.

    And yes, I do think the internet does spread fear, along with good information.

    I for one will watch my back when out at night and I will call the police and report any problems that I see. I have installed motion lights and cleared debris where people can possibly hide off of my property. You are not teh only one with expectations.

    P.S. I love Cap Hill as much as I love Ballard. I can't wait to rival them restaurant to restaurant, bar to bar, boutique to boutique.

  36. This is our reality, denying it doesn't make it go away, thoughtful action does. Knowing it as reality and being willing to lay down and accept it are two different things. Chill.

  37. Not sure — I don't know if it's widely assumed or even true. It didn't strike me initially as a general comment, but I can see that's where it might have come from. Thanks for that perspective. To me, it didn't seem to fit the context and was unhelpful/distracting. I do appreciate the Geeky Swedes & the victim/her sister/the neighbor for reporting on this.

    My comment is more to the Geeky Swedes on the inclusion of that as the closing quotation. It did seem a bit of a non sequitur (and a little victim-blamey) in that context. It would have perhaps been better to have a more thoughtful comment or insight that would be helpful to folks wondering how to react. The boldness (10 pm, 24th) & forethought (mask), as well as the attackers reaction to resistance, is certainly something to concern us.

    I'd love the focus to be on positive steps that we as a community, or as individuals walking on the streets, can take to prevent this from recurring.

  38. I could hear her screaming from my apartment last night, and as awful as this situation is, thank God she is ok.

    I hope they find the person who attacked her.

  40. Agreed, and my comment regarding capitol hill was in no way meant to be negative. Crime has been a much bigger issue ther than in sleepy ol Ballard.. but they have also experienced an increase in police presence. My difficulty in chilling right now is that I have been speaking with the police and with my neighbors and the response (or lack ther of) by the police is disturbing to me. I have two small children and houses are being broken into around me in the middle of the night with no apparent urgency by law enforcement to stop it. Your comment did come off as sounding complacent, if I misunderstood your intention… I apologize

  41. Not sure I would've called 911 either. On a busy street like that I imagine you hear screams much of the time.
    On 15th I get kids and drunken 'adults' screaming just to hear themselves. On a sidewalk or out a car window, any time of day or night.
    It's a judgement call thing on what the scream is about.

  42. My husband and I heard her screaming and immediately ran outside to find 10-15 neighbors also running to help. So despite the awful circumstances it was nice to know so many were willing to help.

  44. Thganks, I appreciate that, I hadn't intended on coming off as complacent, I'm not.

    I agree we need a police presence in Ballard. UW Campus just got two beat cops, where are ours?

  45. Understandable. I'd rather assume the risks of running outside than those of running on a treadmill myself. Good luck! be safe! :)

  48. agreed, However those two officers were way overdue on and around the campus.. I don't believe we will see an increase in police presence any time soon. But at least people who care and want action are talking about it.

  50. Warning! Just before 10 last night I was on the phone with my ex-gf, someone rang her doorbell repeatedly. She had no idea who it was. She was going to answer it but I told her not to then went over to get her because of it – she followed me home. This was FOUR blocks away on 59th from where the attack happened. ALWAYS be careful! This guy was bold enough to attack a girl on a major arterial street. If he'd have gotten into her town-home, I don't know what would have come of it. He is on the loose still! I am trying to get her to report the doorbell incident to the police so they are aware he may possibly be trying to gain access to single girls homes.

  52. Is it possible it was a witness who saw the attack and was hoping to find someone to call the police? and really, does your girlfriend need you to tell her to not open her door to strangers at 10 pm?

  53. I agree….what does being a feminist have to do with being a target because you carry a large purse? Obviously if you are carrying a large bag on display anyone would assume that you have more contents inside of it that may be of value to them…vs someone who isnt carrying anything at all. Ive been walking with my fiance before downtown with a large bag and he has told me to try and conceal it behind my back or between my arm and my body..and I dont think that by being prudent about it that it is “years of feminist progress going out the window”…better be safe and secure than attacked. just the real world..not la -la land…

  54. The night before in the same neighborhood, there were aggressive and threatening magazines salesmen, so it could also have been that group at the gf door…in any case, not sure who it is…DO NOT open the door.

  55. Excellent information to save! I called the non-emergency line on Wed night regarding the door to door salesman who threatened us for not opening our door and speaking to him from a window instead. They were helpful and want this information to track where these guys are.

    I hope this young woman is okay and I want her to know Ballard cares and we are looking out for each other.

  57. I will be wandering up and down 24th tonight from about 10ish til about 10:45ish keeping the “peace”. If anyone wants to join me, I would love it. It is about all the time I can spare at the moment. My name is Brandon and am rather tall (6'4″ish) with brown hair. Sorry I can't do more…normally I am very passive, but I just can't stand for this anymore. I will simply be walking (I need the exercise anyways :-), and making sure all is good). I will check the comment thread before I leave to see if anyone wants to meet up.

    I essentially live at the intersection this happened, and as a patronizer of all the establishments in this area and am very disturbed by this. I love this neighborhood and will do what I can to keep it the great neighborhood I moved into. I will do what I can a few nights next week also. My g/f who lives with me normally comes home this time of night and parks right where this happens, and I will do what I can to make sure it doesn't happen again. It is not OK with me that this stuff happens in my area. I am not trying to be an ass, but I will do what I can to keep my neighborhood in good shape.
    -B

  58. Thanks Brandon, that's very nice of you to walk the area tonight. I live right in the area and it surprises me that this happened at 10pm, when there should still be a decent amount of traffic in the area. The west side of the block on 24th from 59th to 60th can be very dark (this is the side I live on and walk past frequently, not sure exactly where the mugging took place). I noticed the streetlights there had been turning off at times and have been keeping my eye on this to see if it is happening often enough to call the City about. I checked tonight and right now, the streetlights are on. But there are a number of dark blocks in Ballard that I don't feel particularly safe walking on…

  59. I've had a few non emergencies that I have had to call in before. My friend told me to call 911 and just say it's a non emergency when they answer. I have never had a problem with doing that. It's not ideal I'm sure, but better that than not reporting something because you don't have the right phone number.

  60. I am intrigued by the idea. I do a fair amount of walking myself between 63rd and Market. Usually to the 711 or Wingmaster for some take out. I like to take my dog to BCC and also Commons as those are other hotspots for nefarious activity. Funny thing is, if we walk back and forth a couple times, someone will probably call the cops on us. Still, I'm always interested in meeting my neighbors.

  64. so was it the West or East side? a number of people here heard this go down, so I suppose should know the answer.

    I live closer to the real action in East Ballard, but do frequent this area on occasion.

  66. I was there last night. The scream that we heard was not rowdy partying, but a blood curdling scream. We knew that something was very wrong.
    Her car was parked on a well lit street, where many people come and go. I am so greatful this girl is ok. This could have been so much worse. I slept better last night knowing I lived in a neighborhood where people do care about each other…and respond when bad things happen.

  67. nbmilitia, you said “Why hasn't the police presence increased with the population and night life growth?????” . This is because Seattle has decided to do policing on the cheap. A couple of weeks ago our homeowners association met with a rep from the north precinct about the increase in crime. He complained about how the budget was cut. One of the residents asked why we never see police cars patrolling. The rep said it is highly unlikely that a crime will be witnessed by a cop in a patrol car. Uh, isn't that the point? Apparently the police do not see their presence as a deterrent to crime. I have lived in several cities, big and small. Why do the police have such poor resources here. We really could use another police station…right in Ballard.

  68. First of all I wanted to say thank you to everyones kind words and support. I'm glad that I wasn't injured except for a few bad bruises and scrapes, nothing that I can't get over. I want to ask a few of you to next time you hear someone screaming, assume the worst. If someone could have helped me, I believe we could have caught the guy. My car was parked on the south side of 59th, only about maybe 30 feet from 24th. I can't believe not one person saw me being dragged and/or didn't hear me screaming. The lights on this block are NOT working and I will never park here again. I've been a Ballard resident for 4+ years and I've never before been afraid to be out and about late. For the past 8 months I've been working at O'shan I've walked that block many times, and have always seen people watching their TVs or walking their dogs. I'm extremely afraid this will happen to someone else, so please walk together and watch your back at all times. I thought the guy lived in the apartments, but apparently he pretended to live in the apartment, and came back and approached me from behind after I walked past the building. To think I was only 80 feet from my work, 3 feet from my car, and a rock throw away from hundreds of residents and yet no one noticed anything happening scares me to death.

    On another note, thank you to everyone who came out that night and helped me. Thank you all for being so kind and everyone who has been supporting our restaurant, thank you. A lot of money was stolen last night that was not mine, which really breaks my heart. Today I've had many many people offer kind words, phone numbers if I need to be walked to my car, and more support than I could have asked for. Ballard really is a great neighborhood and this does not make me have a negative view of this city. A man earlier brought me my cell phone he had found in some bushes on 59th, which I thought was stolen. After, a woman brought by a credit card of mine she found on the street. I get the impression that my items might be scattered all over the city and if this is the case, I would really like to have atleast my keys and ID in my posession. If anyone finds anything that might be mine, please contact me. I lost a black coach leather hobo purse, black leather coach wallet, black M.A.C. makeup bag filled with makeup, my ID, keys to my Subaru which had my lady bug keychain, a goofy keychain and a subaru keychain. I also lost misc. items like a vintage compact mirror, headphones, playing cards, and a panda coin purse. Thank you guys for all of your support, I hope this will help people realize how potentially dangerous any city can be if you're not aware of your surroundings.

  69. narikim, I'm so sorry this happened to you and so glad you're relatively ok. Thanks for posting here. And thanks to all the folks who helped you out as well!

  70. narikim, Im glad your ok and hope you recover whats missing! I know the feeling from being robbed myself!! You sound like a strong person. I hope they get the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ who did this!!

  71. did you get your home locks changed already? being that the jackass has your id (address) and your keys? glad to hear that your are doing ok.

  72. Expect more of this. These aren't decent people that are resorting to crime because things are hard. These are predators looking for weak prey (as they see it). They see crime as easy work with plenty of prospects out there. There can't be law enforcement on every corner so don't expect those people to stop it. They can come and take notes after the fact but that's about it. You can guarantee they aren't out looking for this guy right now. It's up to people to protect themselves in whatever way they are comfortable with. Changing behavior, habits, self defense training, or arming yourself if that is something you're comfortable with. It sad but that's the state of things in good old Ballard.

  73. Narikim,
    I thought it might have been you great folks from Oshan's. That makes me really sad and mad. I wish I had been out walking that night. My wife and daughter and I haven't been able to eat out lately because we have been so strapped, but we'll get in there before Christmas for sure. Regards to your family and hang in there. See ya soon.

  74. I live directly across the street from what happened (like 50 feet away), and these were the most blood-curdling screams you have ever hear in your life. I did call 911, and every neighbor came running out of their front doors to help. And she screamed about 6 times, so you could tell it was not just some kid mad at their parents – it seriously sounded like someone had been brutally assaulted.

    My question is: Why here? This was in front of a little tiny restaurant, and you'd think there would be an easier target for more $$ than a little family-run sushi joint? Any why risk it in a place where about 50 people live within 50 feet? There are a ton of multi-family buildlings a chip shot away from the crime scene.

    Also, the crime actually occurred between 24th & 26th on 58th. We live on 59th, and had to run to 58th to see if the victim was okay.

    Also, kudos to the SPD on this one – they were here, searching the area for the guy who did this no more than 60 seconds after this happened. I don't know if they found anyone, but they were on it in no time.

  76. Narakim-Glad you are doing OK. You stated “A lot of money was stolen last night that was not mine” which leads me to believe you were taking the cash from the restaurant to deposit. I would bet that someone made an educated guess, by observation or had information that you were making the deposit and carrying more than just your tips. I live in that immediate area and was very surprised that even a stupid or very brazen mugger would pick that area. People are frequently walking by that area, parking or walking to Oshans and the wing dive. Te smokers from the wing joint and bar next to the smoke shop are usually outside. My intuition tells me this was not a random mugging for a purse.

  79. I too am very glad that you're pretty much OK. Don't be surprised, though, if different emotions crop up out of the blue as you process this attack.

    You may want to consider being checked out by a doctor, even if you're feeling fine. Some injuries don't show up for a while, but could be helped with timely treatment.

    And to anyone who may encounter this mugger (or another worthless excuse for a human; there was a similar, but armed robbery on QA the other night), be careful if you resist, my cousin was left with permanent nerve damage and her right arm is partially paralyzed. I certainly understand the desire to resist and fight back—when I was attacked years ago, my biggest emotion was anger: how dare you accost me!

    Big kudos to Narikim for her response that night and here as well.

  82. I agree. I actually live in Portland, Oregon. However, while I still lived in Boston, before moving out here, I once visited a friend that used to live in South Seattle. His immediate neighborhood was o.k. He lived at the top of a hill, up the street from 48th and Graham. However, South Seattle gave me the creeps, more than I ever felt while living in Boston. This was back in 2001.

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