Mercer Island Police Department awards officers of the year | Police news

February 7, 2017 3:50 pm
From left, Dominic Amici, Meara Solomon and Mike Seifert were honored at the Mercer Island Police Department’s annual banquet on Jan. 27. Photo courtesy of MIPD
From left, Dominic Amici, Meara Solomon and Mike Seifert were honored at the Mercer Island Police Department’s annual banquet on Jan. 27. Photo courtesy of MIPD

MIPD awards officers of the year

The Mercer Island Police Department held its annual Officer of the Year award banquet last month at the VFW Hall.

MIPD’s Dominic Amici was honored as the “Officer of the Year,” and the Support Employee of the Year award went to Records Specialist Meara Solomon. The Supervisor of the Year was Sergeant Mike Seifert.

Commander’s Awards for outstanding service were given to Lead Detective Joe Morris, Officer John Haraway and Officer Tim Derr.

Mercer Island police use iPhone to track down stolen truck

On Jan. 31, a man reported to MIPD that his truck had been stolen from a job site. He had left his iPhone in the cab of the truck.

Detective Sgt. Ryan Parr and Marine Patrol Sgt. Brian Noel responded to the scene. They entered the iPhone information into Parr’s “find your iPhone” app, and discovered the truck was southbound, near Boeing Field.

The King County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and the truck, which had just been abandoned, was located in White Center. KCSO deputies swarmed the area and located the 43-year-old alleged thief, who was arrested.

The suspect claimed he had swallowed three bags of heroin, and so police had to take him to Harborview Medical Center to get checked out. Police said charges of possession of stolen property and possession of drugs would be pursued.

Officers believe the man had been riding around the Island on a stolen Trek mountain bike, when he stumbled across the truck. MIPD advises residents missing a Trek mountain bike to contact Sgt. Ryan Parr at 206-275-7922.

Police arrest car prowlers downtown

Mercer Island police arrested two suspects who were allegedly prowling cars inside a downtown Mercer Island apartment building overnight on Jan. 18.

Police responded to the Island Square building along 78th Avenue Southeast after a worker there reported a man and woman prowling cars. Officer Tim Derr arrested the pair, police said, who were also allegedly in possession of methamphetamine and heroin.

Police said the man and woman are well known car prowlers on the Eastside. Police warned that the couple may be released from jail soon, however, and said that all Island residents should secure their vehicles, even inside locked parking garages, not leave anything of value in sight, set their car alarm and report any suspicious activity.