SEATTLE - The 49-year-old woman cautiously spoke from her Seattle doorway. Her left eye was purple and swollen, her cheeks and forehead bruised. She would not talk on camera about the crime that left her injured. She said she's afraid the suspect might get out of jail and find her.
According to King County court papers, a suspect attacked the woman earlier this week as she packed her car with donation boxes outside of Deseret Industries, 2200 South 320th in Federal Way. The donation and thrift center adjoins the Federal Way Transit Center.
The suspect threw a blanket over the woman's head and assaulted her. An eyewitness at the transit center heard the woman screaming and called for officers who soon after arrested the suspect.
Deseret Industries shares a back wall with the Federal Way Transit Center, which has a history of violence in recent years including two murders, a stabbing, and several assaults. In response to the violence, Geoff Patrick with Sound Transit says security has been increased significantly at the Transit Center.
For the first time, subcontracted security guards are on the premises round the clock, seven days a week. In addition, a force of commissioned police officers patrols the premises at least 50 hours a week.
Patrick points out that this week's attack did not happen on Sound Transit property, but that Sound Transit security did assist in arresting the suspect.
Patrick says crime at the Transit Center is "significantly down based on the increased presence here," citing four "minor incidents" in July. They include three cases of unlawful conduct and one liquor violation.
Additionally, a spokeswoman with the Federal Way Police Department says their agency has implemented a seven officer Special Operations Unit. Since January, the team has been assigned to patrol the downtown core, especially targeted a "triangle area" including the Federal Way Transit Center, Steele Lake Park and Celebration Park.
Meanwhile, the suspect in this week's attack behind Deseret Industries has been charged with assault in the second degree.
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