Seattle security officer stops sexual assault-detains suspect
SEATTLE WA October 3 2020— The people who live and work at the Wintonia Apartments in Capitol Hill are applauding the actions of a private security guard who stumbled upon a sexual assault and stepped in to stop it.
Tracey Baker told KOMO News that he saw a man Wednesday evening who was attacking a woman outside the apartment building, located at 1431 Minor Ave.
“You need to back off,” Baker said he told the suspect.
He is a private security guard for Iconic Global who was hired to keep the apartment building’s residents safe. When he saw the incident, he decided to go above and beyond. “He went to the street and I actually grabbed him, and led him back to the gate right here.”
The guard cuffed the suspect until police arrived. Authorities have identified the suspect as Thomas Williams, who allegedly physically struck his victim before attempting to drag her into a nearby alley, where officials say he planned to rape her.
“The security guard was a big help in this case, and we’re very fortunate Seattle police was able to respond quickly,” said Casey McNerthney, spokesman for the King County Prosecutors Office.
A court-appointed defense attorney for Williams said he denies the allegations and is married to a woman who lives inside the apartment building.
A King County judge set bond for Williams at $10,000. He is scheduled to return to court later this month.
Baker said he was hired to help stop wrongdoing at the apartment building.
“Whenever it happens, it happens,” he said. “But at the same time, that’s what we signed up for.”
Residents say Baker is no stranger to being at the right place at the right time.
Robert Surles, known by residents as “The Football Guy,“ also lives at the Wintonia, where he was stabbed in the lobby several months ago.
Baker helped police make the arrest.
“I had to stop that as well,” he said. “I’ve been a busy man.”
KOMO
