Bellevue Beat Blog

Last week, the Bellevue Police Department arrested a man connected to a sex trafficking incident involving a 21-year-old female victim in Bellevue’s Factoria neighborhood – culminating a month-long investigation which started with a domestic violence call.

During the week of April 8, Bellevue PD Officers responded to a domestic violence incident in Factoria. Officers contacted the victim who fled the apartment with the assistance of nearby construction workers and identified several red flag indicators of sex trafficking. This was confirmed by the victim. The case was then assigned to the BPD’s Human Trafficking Unit for further investigation where they learned the victim was exploited in Washington as well as numerous states outside of Washington.

The case culminated in a search warrant of the suspect, 31-year-old Cedric A. Dorsey. Having numerous prior arrests, Dorsey was not only deemed high-risk but was also believed to have weapons – including an AK-47 – at his current residence. This led to the BPD holding a SWAT operation on Thursday, May 2 at approximately 6:00am on the 4100 block of 124^th Ave SE.

When Dorsey failed to comply with BPD, it prompted the BPD’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) to initiate negotiations. The CRT worked with Dorsey’s mother to establish communication with the suspect and convince him to turn himself into law enforcement.

At 6:57am (close to an hour of the total operation), Dorsey exited the apartment and turned himself into the custody of the Bellevue PD where he was arrested for Trafficking Persons 2^nd Degree, Prostitution Promotion 1^st Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

Following the operation, the Bellevue PD’s Investigative Team conducted a search of the unit and found about $12,000 in cash, and three firearms in Dorsey’s apartment, including two revolvers and a Century Arms BFT47 (pictured above) with a 30-round magazine. Not only is this firearm banned in Washington State, but it was also previously reported stolen in October 2022.

“From the Bellevue PD Officers quickly spotting the red flags associated with sex trafficking to the work of the Department’s Human Trafficking Unit, this collaborative operation was truly a textbook example on how to hold an individual accountable for conducting a horrible sex crime on another person,” said Andrew Popochock, Assistant Chief for the Bellevue Police Department. “Sex trafficking is a crime and unfortunately does happen in communities like Bellevue. That’s why we’re asking the public that if they believe someone may be a victim in a sex trafficking operation to immediately call law enforcement so that we can hold these criminals accountable and save lives in the process.”

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Washington State saw a 70-percent increase of human trafficking victims in a six-year timespan. This included 192 cases of sex trafficking. Victims often demonstrate warning signs of physical abuse, giving lines that appear scripted or rehearsed, unable to speak without the presence of their abuser, or withholding to provide personal identification.

Anyone who is, knows, or has information on someone who may be a victim of exploitation is asked to contact the BPD Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) at ViceHT@bellevuewa.gov.

This morning shortly after 7:30 a.m., Bellevue Police responded to a report of an assault involving a gun at the Regent at Bellevue Way Apartments located in the 10600 block of NE 29th Street. A witness reported seeing two men arguing at that location and witnessed a suspect, who was reportedly holding a handgun, assault the victim. Responding Officers located the suspect leaving the scene in a vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, however the suspect fled. Officers subsequently chased the vehicle across the 520 floating bridge into Seattle. The suspect struck at least two other vehicles during the chase. Fortunately, there were no injuries as a result of those crashes. The suspect, a 36-year-old male, subsequently crashed his vehicle in the yard of a residence on Greenlake Way N. near the intersection with Ashworth Ave. N. in the Greenlake neighborhood of Seattle and was arrested following a short foot chase.

Seattle police recovered a firearm in the street near the scene of the arrest that police determined was the gun involved in the original incident. Police later determined that the gun had been reported as stolen.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect had assaulted two known individuals during an argument at the apartments. The suspect, a convicted felon, was booked into the King County jail for investigation of assault first degree, assault fourth degree, eluding police, hit and run, and felon in possession of a firearm. The case will now be forwarded to the King County Prosecutor for review.

The Bellevue Police Department (BPD) today confirmed the juveniles arrested for a carjacking at gunpoint last Friday are connected to a theft at a luxury retail shop in Bellevue that same day – with more than $106,000 worth of stolen merchandise lifted from the store.

The targeted store was a Bottega Veneta, a high-end Italian fashion boutique located at The Shops at the Bravern, 11111 NE 8th Street. 

According to the store manager of Bottega Veneta, the suspects arrived at the shop at around 6:44pm in a white Hyundai Elantra. As previously reported (see below), the vehicle was confirmed stolen ahead of Friday’s crimes.

The five suspects – wearing all black and with ski masks covering their faces – quickly entered the store and immediately began ripping the merchandise from the display cases.  In just about a minute, the suspects had stolen 29 handbags, purses, and tote bags, according to the store manager.  

Screenshots from the video of the theft can be seen here:

Following the burglary at Bottega Veneta, the suspects then – in an effort to dispose of the stolen Elantra and elude from the scene – targeted the grandmother driving the black BMW at random. The suspects followed the victim until she parked at the 10000 block of SE 13^th Place Bellevue, and then proceeded to commit the carjacking.

The suspects who were previously taken into custody for last week’s carjacking and who are also involved with the theft have been additionally booked for Theft of the First Degree (Shoplifting).

The Bellevue PD is continuing its investigation into Friday’s incidents. Additional information about the location of the stolen goods as well as the full scope of suspects involved in both crimes are forthcoming and will be released at a later date.

Click here to view the Bellevue PD’s original post of the carjacking crime.

BELLEVUE, Wash. – The Bellevue Police Department (BPD) announced today three current and former officers of the BPD – Officers Kealii Akahane and Jeff Sebers and former Officer Caleb Worthington – will receive the coveted Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor during the May 3^rd ceremony in Olympia. The Officers will be recognized for their exceptional and meritorious conduct while in the performance of duty during an incident on June 6, 2022.

Akahane, Sebers, and Worthington earn this honor after saving the life of a young individual who was under distress and drowning in Phantom Lake. For his actions on that day, Officer Akahane previously received the Carnegie Medal – an award provided to officers or citizens who “risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.”

“Every day, the Bellevue Police Department proudly serves its community without expectation of acknowledgment or special praise. It’s who we are, and we’re proud to serve this great City. But, there are special circumstances that arise where special recognition must be made, and Officers Akahane, Sebers, and Worthington deserve this esteemed honor,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of Police.

According to the State of Washington, recipients of the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor are reserved for police officers who are either killed in the line of duty or distinguish themselves by exceptional meritorious conduct. Click here to see past recipients including former BPD Officers Jordan Jackson and Greg Lum, 2023 and 1998 honorees.

Shirley continued, “Because of these Officers’ work, not only was a life saved, but they embodied the values of courage, selflessness, and heroism we all strive to achieve in an emergency.”

Media interested in attending the reception should RSVP with PIO Drew Anderson at daanderson@bellevuewa.gov. Details about the reception ahead of the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony are as follows:

WHO: Bellevue Police Officers Kealii Akahane and Jeff Sebers and former BPD Officer Caleb Worthington

WHAT: Reception for Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony

WHEN: Friday, May 3, at 2:30pm 

WHERE: Evergreen Christian Community Main Campus in Olympia

Media interested in attending the Medal of Honor Ceremony should contact the Washington Attorney General’s Office at david.heitzman@atg.wa.gov.  

Four juveniles were arrested Friday evening following a carjacking incident beginning in Bellevue and spanning all the way to Washington State’s southern border.

The case started close to 7:00pm on Friday when BPD Officers responded to reports of a carjacking with a firearm at the 10000 block of SE 13^th Place Bellevue. The four suspects – a 14-year-old male, a 15-year-old male, and 16-year-old male, and a 17-year-old male – followed the victim in a white Hyundai Elantra to the victim’s residential neighborhood before exiting the vehicle and holding the victim at gunpoint.

Following a brief exchange, the suspects then stole the victim’s black BMW X5 vehicle along with their purse, shopping merchandise, potted plants, an Apple iPad, two tabletop baby seats, and three car seats. The stolen Hyundai was quickly found abandoned by Officers near the scene of the carjacking. It was there where most of the victim’s belongings were found and left behind.

The Bellevue PD continued its investigation of the carjacking and was quickly contacted by Officers with the Tumwater Police Department who reported receiving a call involving suspects matching the stolen vehicle and suspicious individuals dumping items involved with the Bellevue incident near a dumpster in the city limits. The individuals were confirmed to be the suspects of the carjacking.  

Then at approximately 9:00pm that evening, members of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord notified BPD about the suspects attempting to enter the base along its entrance at 41 Street near Exit 120 on Interstate-5. It was at this time when the Washington State Patrol joined the case where Officers followed the vehicle southbound I-5 to the City of Vancouver. WSP Officers stopped the vehicle at 9:20pm along I-5 near Exit 14 and arrested all four suspects during that time.

Bellevue Officers took the suspects into custody at the WSP’s Chehalis Office and were booked at the BPD for Robbery (1^st Degree) and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. The stolen BMW was towed and secured at the Department’s garage for further investigation.

While the City of Bellevue remains a safe community, crime does happen. The Department asks residents to stay vigilant while conducting errands or commuting around the city. And if you see something suspicious, immediately contact the BPD for assistance.

Meet the new Bellevue Light Rail Unit (BLU) during the City’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 27

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Ahead of the grand opening of Sound Transit’s 2 Line on April 27, the Bellevue Police Department (BPD) is preparing to officially roll out its new police unit – The Bellevue Light Rail Unit (BLU) – a dedicated unit designed to foster a safe and positive riding experience for individuals and families wishing to use the new Link Light Rail Service through Bellevue.

“As the City of Bellevue continues to Link up with the greater Puget Sound region, our officers are committed to helping continue Bellevue’s reputation as being the go-to place to safely work, live, and play. The BPD’s new Light Rail Unit accomplishes this goal,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of Police. “Whenever you’re riding the 2 Line and see a BLU officer at your station or on your train, just remember: they’re there for you.”

Each of Bellevue’s six Link stops is within the patrol duties of the BLU team, helping to ensure the BPD accomplishes its mission to reduce crime and the fear of crime in the community. This is why BPD’s BLU has partnered with Sound Transit and King County representatives to determine the best strategy to deploy the Unit’s Officers throughout the City of Bellevue.

“We appreciate the City of Bellevue’s partnership in supplementing Sound Transit’s on-board and in-station security teams to help keep our Eastside light rail passengers safe,” said Russ Arnold, Sound Transit deputy CEO and chief service delivery officer.

The BPD invites the community to meet its new BLU unit at the City’s official light rail ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 27 at the Bellevue Downtown Station. More details about the event can be found here.

Two suspects – a 22-year-old female and a 30-year-old male – were arrested last Friday for identity theft and driving a stolen vehicle in an eleven-mile, multi-city incident across Bellevue and Kirkland communities.

While on active patrol, Bellevue Police Officers attempted to stop the suspects at Factoria Mall (Factoria Boulevard SE) for driving a white Chevrolet Tahoe with fraudulent operating trip permits. The vehicle was previously reported stolen by Tukwila PD.

This routine traffic stop quickly escalated when the male suspect, the driver of the vehicle, eluded the responding Officer and sped away from the Mall – driving northbound on Richards Road and Lake Hills Connector. Officers in both marked and unmarked vehicles proceeded to follow the vehicle as it traveled northbound I-405 to Exit 18 and entered the City of Kirkland.

Kirkland PD joined Bellevue PD in this effort where they located the vehicle at a nearby Shell gas station near the 4th Street and Central Way intersection. It appeared the driver (male suspect) stopped for gas, but due to the male suspect’s proximity to the stolen vehicle, Officers declined to detain him.

Instead, Officers attempted to disable the vehicle via spike strips when the suspect exited the gas station heading eastbound on Central Way. The driver avoided the strips by performing a dangerous U-turn across a raised median, and then fled Officers by driving westbound at a high-rate speed.

Officers temporarily lost sight of the suspects, but thanks to guidance provided by concerned citizens who saw the Tahoe’s reckless speeding, Officers were able to track and locate the vehicle at Waverly Beach Park. Law Enforcement found the stolen car abandoned, but Officers quickly caught and apprehended both suspects at the Park’s bathroom facilities.

After arresting both suspects, Officers found stolen mail and a $3,000 cashier’s check in the name of a resident of Kirkland. The suspects also had in their possession numerous state-issued IDs, credit cards, and checks in the names of other individuals from Kentucky and Washington State.

Both suspects were taken to Overlake Hospital where they received medical treatment prior to booking. The stolen vehicle was impounded and sent to the Bellevue Police Department.

The suspects were both arrested on suspicion of Obstruction and Identity Theft (2nd Degree). The female suspect was also arrested for Taking a Vehicle Without Permission (2nd Degree) while the male suspect was apprehended for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Taking a Vehicle Without Permission, Eluding an Officer, and Driving with a Suspended License (3rd Degree).

Thanks to the BPD and KPD’s policing tactics, Officers were able to largely maintain safety while also holding suspects accountable for breaking the law.

Continuing its effort to prevent vehicle theft crime across the City of Bellevue, the Bellevue Police Department (BPD) will hold another Steering Wheel Lock Giveaway event this Saturday from 12:00-4:00pm at the Department’s Crossroads Police Substation. The event is open to all motorists wishing to protect their vehicles from theft.

WHAT: Steering Wheel Lock Giveaway

WHEN: 12:00-4:00pm, April 20, 2024

WHERE: 15600 NE 8th Street, Bellevue, WA 98008 (Next to Planet Fitness)

These events are part of a larger effort to reduce the number of thefts of vehicles throughout the Puget Sound region after a popular online trend particularly caused thefts of KIA and Hyundai vehicles to increase. Owners attending Saturday’s event will receive a FREE wheel lock as well as be given crime prevention information for their vehicle. No appointment is necessary, and locks will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a one-lock limit per person.

The Giveaway Program remains very popular for residents and families across Bellevue. During last month’s Giveaway at Factoria Mall, more than 237 locks were provided – with more than 700 locks given away to individuals throughout the entirety of the Program to date.

Additionally, owners of KIA and Hyundai vehicles may be eligible for a free software upgrade from the manufacturer. The Bellevue Police Department strongly urges owners to use this upgrade as well as take these measures that could reduce their chances of becoming a victim of theft by considering the following:

• Have all recall work and software updates performed by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
• Use a steering wheel lock.
• Consider purchasing an alarm system.
• Place a tracking device, such as an AirTag, in your vehicle to aid in recovery.

If you are an owner of a KIA or Hyundai, please use the QR Code below to see if your vehicle is eligible for a software upgrade.

Earlier this week, investigators with the Bellevue Police Department took down a major West Coast organized retail theft ring that police say is responsible for the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise. The suspects, 24-year-old Janeice Downs, 19-year-old Reality Leavens, and 49-year-old Janeice Wiley, Downs’ mother, were formally charged today in King County Superior Court. Downs and her accomplices are alleged to have, on a regular and ongoing basis as recently as April 7th, committed documented retail thefts totaling over $537,000 on at least 42 different occasions. The trio is alleged to have targeted primarily LuluLemon stores located in Western Washington, Northern Oregon, and Southern California. Police worked closely with LuluLemon’s regional Organized Retail Crime Investigator for the region on these cases.

Downs and her associates are alleged to have brazenly stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise each time they entered, often times stuffing bags full of merchandise before fleeing the store. They typically used vehicles that did not have license plates or that were purchased using fraudulent documents.

This past Tuesday, Bellevue Police, with the assistance of the Valley SWAT team and the Tukwila Police Department, served a search warrant at Downs’ residence in Kent. Bellevue Police investigators seized suspected stolen items, distinctive clothing worn during the alleged thefts, a vehicle that is suspected to have been used in several of the thefts, as well as three semi-automatic rifles. Both Downs and her mother Janeice, both of whom were home at the time the search warrant was served, are convicted felons and as such are prohibited from possessing firearms. Downs and Wiley were both arrested at the residence. Another accomplice, an 11-year-old juvenile female, was observed by a Detective sitting in the audience at Downs’ court appearance. That juvenile, who police allege was often present or participated in some of the thefts, was identified and released, and investigators plan on forwarding charges to the Juvenile Prosecutor.

Bellevue Police Assistant Chief of Police Andrew Popochock, speaking about this case, stated: “This case is an excellent example of the hard work of our Officers and Detectives.” Popochock continued: “The message is clear: if you engage in criminal activities in Bellevue, we will work tirelessly to locate you and hold you accountable for your actions.”