Wallingford Home Invasion

I am sorry to report that the Wallyhood Crime Beat Desk has been busy of late, even busier than the usual background drumbeat of petty and not-so-petty property crime might indicate. We don’t like to dwell on the seedier side of humanity on our little neighborhood blog (after all, it’s not like we’re the New York Times KOMO News), but we would also be remiss if we ignored the rather awful recent occurrences in the area. Last week, a couple of longtime Wallingford residents were victims of a horrific home invasion that required the intervention of SWAT officers and a Hostage Negotiation Team from SPD. The home was trashed.

Local Seattle TV stations reported that charges were filed on Monday against Michael Aaron Dorsey, 34.  King County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney shared an update from last Friday on the case with Wallyhood:

This afternoon there was a first appearance hearing for Michael Aaron Dorsey, the man arrested in the Wallingford case where homeowners were locked out of their own home.

In court today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that Mr. Dorsey is a danger to the community and unlikely to return to court if released. King County prosecutors argued that he should be held in the King County Jail on $30,000 bail.

The first appearance judge agreed and found probable cause for Residential Burglary and Assault in the Third Degree…

…The case is expected to be referred to us by police early next week for a formal charging decision. (Prosecutors cannot make a formal charging decision prior to that referral, and those typically come after a first appearance hearing). Mr. Dorsey is expected to remain in the King County Jail.

No previous cases involving Mr. Dorsey have been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. In other words, King County prosecutors have not had the option to file charges following his previous arrests.

We appreciate the work of Seattle Police on this case.

The police report details a harrowing and disturbing encounter (we have removed names and other personal information and cleaned up the narrative):

I was dispatched to a Burglary call at xxx. According to the call notes, the homeowner of the residence Victim (V) stated that while he and his wife were outside of their residence in their front yard tending to their flowers, Arrested (A) came to their yard and tried to sell them a tool. A then entered into their residence, locked them out and refused to leave. Upon arrival, V provided officers with a key to his residence and gave officers consent to enter the residence and remove A. Officers walked up to the front door and observed A playing the piano inside. I asked A to come outside. A got up and yelled “I have a gun” multiple times. A then grabbed a pair of bolt cutters and started to strike the glass on the front door multiple times. Officer L and N who were standing in front of the front door were hit in the eyes and face with glass shard debris. Officers then called for more resources. Sgt. M arrived on scene. SPD HNT (Hostage Negotiation Team) also responded to the scene to develop rapport with A. A continued to throw items outside of the house towards officers. A could be heard breaking numerous items inside of the residence. Lt. S responded to the scene. Officers S and R applied for a search warrant for the residence which was approved. SPD Swat arrived on scene and took command. SPD Swat officers took A into custody and he was arrested for Residential Burglary and Assault 3. A was booked into KCJ.

KING5 reported that Dorsey’s lawyer had argued that he should be released due to mental health issues, but the King County Prosecuting Attorney countered that Dorsey has failed to appear 17 times since 2008 and should remain in custody. An arraignment hearing where a plea will be entered is scheduled for February 16. Wallyhood will update developments in this case as they are made available to us.