My apologies to all of the other Erics living in Wallingford, but we’ve received word that there’s a man wandering around the neighborhood who introduces himself as “Eric” and may be responsible for recent burglaries in the neighborhood–particularly around Eastern Avenue. “Eric” is actually Jeffrey McCaslin who happens to be on Washington’s Most Wanted list. Here’s an email from Alison with all of the details:
Hi everyone,
I have more information about my burglary, so I thought I’d share it. I feel like I’m in mini ‘CSI: Seattle’ series.
It turns out that a guy that I talked to on my steps that morning (or the morning prior) who said he was looking for his cat was probably the guy who broke into my house later. [How ironic that I’d written all of you asking if you’d seen someone!] He’s a white male, 33 years old, thin build, 6’ tall, long brown hair (shoulder-length), and blue eyes. He did not come across as creepy when I met him – it was daylight, he introduced himself as ‘Eric’ and said reasonable things (re: looking for his cat). He had his hair in a loose ponytail when I saw him, and had a dark blue sweatshirt on, looking a bit disheveled. I didn’t think much of the encounter until I discovered the next morning that my hairbrush was gone, which made me remember ‘Eric’s’ long hair, so I told the police about it.
A batch of used DVDs were sold to a store on the same day as my burglary, in the late afternoon, by a guy with a known record (and long brown hair). When I compiled the list of what DVDs were missing a few days later, the lists matched up (it’s a pretty long, eclectic list).
The guy who sold the DVDs was on TV as one of Western Washington’s Most Wanted recently, so I’m allowed to share this info:
http://www.q13fox.com/mostwanted/fugitive-files/kcpq-jeffrey-mccaslin-20110506,0,2883744.story <http://www.q13fox.com/mostwanted/fugitive-files/kcpq-jeffrey-mccaslin-20110506,0,2883744.story>
Keep your eyes open for him – he’s apparently still quite active in our area right now – and call 911 if you see him. Don’t confront him. While he’s supposedly not an aggressive guy, the police say that it’s still wise to steer clear and call them.
And be especially wary of people you don’t recognize asking about a lost cat or dog, or saying they ran out of gas.
Thank you, Alison, for taking the time to write this up, and to Jack who sent this out to residents on Eastern Avenue!
as a Wallingford “Eric”…. I want this dude caught. he is doing my name wrong (and of course…. my neighbors, and Wallingford as well)
Eric (not the bad one 🙂
I hope this guy’s caught, too, and soon! Thanks a lot for posting the information. His bent nose should be an easy identifier, not easily covered up.
I know I’ve seen this guy somewhere. He looks beyond familiar. Wish I could remember what the context was.
I live on Eastern. In early January my son, 19, walked in on this guy in our house at about 3 PM. (I was out of town, did not see him, but I believe it is the same person because he was caught and his name turned out to be Jeffrey Douglas McCaslin.) He had broken a basement window, gotton in the house, and taken my dead uncles’ World War II medals, and some not-very-valuable jewelry. Creepy. He put the loot in his backpack, and when my son surprised him, he said that he had heard breaking glass and came in to investigate. My son did not buy it, and McCaslin ran out the basement door. My son pursued him, yelling for help, and eventually caught him. They ran down Eastern, and then West on 40th. People did not stop to help my son, but the detective later said that about 5 people had called the police on their cell phones, and eventually someone did stop to help my son, who was struggling physically with McCaslin. I think that a knife was found in McCaslin’s backpack subsequently, but he had not gotton it out during the fight. So McCaslin was caught red-handed in January, and in February I identified the stuff he had taken, and here he is back on the street robbing my neighbors. Discouraging.
I’m sorry but I feel like I’m missing half of the information. I’m sure the context is buried in the site somewhere but on a quick search I’m not finding it.
1. Eastern is a long street, what’s the crossroad reference?
2. What timeframe was the burglary referenced? I could only find references as “my burglary” or “that morning”. Is this in the last month?
3. Can you recap or link to the original burglary details? Example: time of day, how accessed house, etc.
I’ll definitely keep my eyes open, but more information will also help me be more aware as well.
This guy has been all over North Seattle the last several months. On April 18th he was interrupted in progress on a burglary in Broadview, and a few hours later he was coming out of the basement of a house in Crown Hill and threatened the homeowner with a screwdriver. http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2011/04/22/police-blotter/police-blotter-burglary-suspect-photogr
First off, Anya, your son rocks! Secondly, this is one of the reasons I love Wallyhood, for keeping all of us immediately informed about the weird and crime-related goings on in the ‘hood. Stay safe everyone.
I agree, totally, Lisa. Have come to depend on Wallyhood and its forums for all the community news. I live very near Eastern, in a vulnerable spot, and am grateful for the heads up in these postings…will definitely keep my eyes out for this creep. It’s particularly disheartening that people like this guy erode our trust in people genuinely asking for help.
Thank you! That’s always nice to read. We have our readers and folks who send us important information and tips, such as this, to be thankful for!
Anya, I’m glad your son was able to track this guy down, but I’m more glad that he wasn’t hurt. I think the police would say that the best thing to do in this situation is let the guy leave (i.e. get him out of your house), call the cops, and perhaps follow him at a distance to see where he’s going. I don’t think it’s advised to physically engage burglars because you don’t know what they might have (a gun, a knife, etc.), or if they’re in a state that might encourage them to use them (could be on drugs, etc.). Again, nothing against your really brave son (and I obviously don’t know all the details), but personally, I wouldn’t confront someone physically unless they were threatening me, my family, or my neighbors.
On Friday my girlfriend and I were walking home from Durn Good around 4pm when we saw a man, who was wearing a blue sweatshirt, standing on a porch at 38th and Densmore. He was looking through the window on the front door. He had no keys in hand and seemed startled when we walked by and gave him a long look. We couldn’t shake the feeling of how weird it was, as he seemed to have no business being there, so we returned a couple minutes later and he was gone. He may have driven away in a dark blue compact car. I don’t know if this is related but the blue sweatshirt and time frame would make sense. Also – if this is the same man, he’s shaved his head.
Three weeks ago this I walked into my house seconds after this guy had broken in. i live on Crown Hill and i chased him down the street and riiped a backpack off his shoulder which turned him around. I was able to possitivley I.D. him and was told by the detective that this guy is wanted for burgluries all over the north end. I didn’t try to restrain him, because I didn’t know if he had a weapon or not. Now I wish I would have. I find myself now looking at everyone walking down the street very closely.
Steve, the number 10 comment, I think you are right. In talking with the detective in charge of this case, and a couple of other law enforcement people I know, they echoed what you posted in your comment. And I think my son has gotten the message.
After my son caught McCaslin in January, McCaslin was in police custody. the detective told me that he had been previously convicted of burglaries. I am flummoxed as to why he is back on the street now, and on the ” “most wanted list” when he was in police custody in January.
It seems even more relevant not to put oneself in harm’s way, as my son did, in apprehending a criminal if nothing will come of it, and that is my current impression, that nothing has come of it.
We just came home and my wife commented that our change jar was empty; it was about 1/5 full (it’s a BIG 5 gallon glass jug). We looked at each other for a second, and started looking around. Her computer, my iPad, all our belongings were there except that empty jar. There was jewelry on the dresser, but we don’t have anything really great that we don’t wear, so it was all there.
My wife commented that earlier in the day she came home and our inside front door (we live in a duplex) was open, but the outside was locked, and our back door was open (not completely out of the ordinary as it won’t stay closed unless it’s locked, so it stays locked). However, the door to our basement laundry room was open, which was odd, but once again, she figured she’d accidentally left it while she ran out for lunch. Best I can figure is someone came in the basement door, checked our door to the basement, and came in. She may have even almost walked in on whoever it was.
Anyway, my biggest fear now is that someone’s been in our place, and although they didn’t really get much this time, what’s to stop them from trying again? LOCK ‘EM UP TIGHT!
I have it on good authority that Jeffrey McCaslin was apprehended and booked yesterday evening (6-1-11).
That’s great news, Jane! Thanks for posting.
Maybe this time they won’t let him out prematurely.