Seattle Crime Report

A series of disturbances near the local aquarium culminated in the arrest of John Masci, a man described as a 'menace' by local business owners. The incidents unfolded on April 28, 2025, when Masci was reported to be threatening staff at the aquarium and later accused of theft.

Maria Zavala, an employee at the aquarium, described how Masci entered the facility with a case of beer, bypassed ticket checkpoints, and issued threats when asked to leave. Masci reportedly promised that police would need to be called to remove him. The situation escalated when Masci returned and allegedly stole an iPhone from a ticket booth, resulting in a confrontation with staff.

The incident continued as Masci became involved in a dispute at a nearby intersection. Officers responded to reports of a fight involving a baseball bat near Western Ave and University St. Masci was identified as the suspect matching the original description given by aquarium staff.

Further investigations revealed Masci's involvement in theft from a local antique store. Jeffrey Cunderi, the store owner, described Masci’s behavior as a consistent problem, stating that Masci had stolen multiple times in the past. Cunderi, frustrated by the repeated thefts, pursued Masci with a baseball bat after witnessing the theft of a red shirt.

During the confrontation, Masci allegedly threatened another man, Michael Hoyle, with murder, causing Hoyle to fear for his life. The police gathered testimonies and visual evidence from body-worn cameras and witness reports to support charges of burglary and felony harassment against Masci.

Following the incident, Masci was taken into custody and booked at King County Jail, facing multiple charges. The arrest was reviewed and approved by Sergeant Allen, validating the probable cause based on the collected evidence and witness accounts.