Bellevue Beat Blog

Bellevue Police investigators traveled to Vancouver, WA, to arrest a man they believed used a military uniform and a story about a fake engagement to steal a diamond ring worth $100,000 from a Bellevue jewelry store before assaulting the store manager during his escape.

On February 22nd shortly after 7 p.m., a man dressed in military fatigues entered Diamond Inc. on Main Street in Bellevue and asked to see 3 to 5 carat diamond stones. The man claimed that he was about to be “deployed”, had just gotten engaged, and told the clerk that he was shopping for wedding rings. The store employee presented the man with a 5.54 carat marquise diamond. The suspect grabbed the stone from the sales person’s hand and ran from the store. The store manager chased after the suspect, who got into a vehicle that was being driven by an accomplice. The store manager grabbed onto the suspect’s uniform as he was getting into the getaway vehicle. The manager was dragged down the street by the vehicle a short distance, and then the suspect punched the manager in the face, causing him to fall. The manager suffered non life-threatening injuries, and suspect fled the scene in the vehicle.

Bellevue crime scene investigators obtained fingerprints from the scene of the crime, which were processed by the Bellevue Police crime lab. Based on those fingerprints, Detectives identified the suspect, a 26 year-old resident of Vancouver, WA. The suspect was not a member of the armed forces.

Armed with the information, investigators with the Bellevue Special Operations Group (SOG) traveled to Vancouver, and, working with the Vancouver Police Department, arrested the suspect without incident last Friday. The suspect was transported to the King County Jail this week to face charges of second degree robbery. Investigators are continuing to work to identify the accomplice, as well as to locate the missing diamond.

 

Below are selected crime reports for the week of April 9, 2018. This is not a comprehensive list of incidents in Bellevue. For more information, please visit our interactive crime map.

04/10/2018

TIME 11: 00	CONTACT TYPE Theft	LOCATION 400 blk Bellevue way NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-19747
NARRATIVE Unknown male suspect selected $500 in clothing items and ran when confronted by staff.
TIME 14: 41	CONTACT TYPE WARRANT ARREST	LOCATION 400 148TH AVE NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-19795
NARRATIVE Subject was contacted during a traffic stop and was subsequently arrested for several misdemeanor warrants.
TIME 23: 28	CONTACT TYPE Warrant	LOCATION 2000 blk 148 AV NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-19867
NARRATIVE Subject was contacted in his vehicle in the store parking lot. A subsequent records check revealed that the subject had a warrant. He was arrested without incident and booked.

 04/11/2018

TIME 01: 45	CONTACT TYPE Commercial Burglary	LOCATION 1400 blk 156 AV NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-19885
NARRATIVE McDonalds employees called 911 reporting a male subject crawling through a broken window at an adjacent Mini Mart. As officers arrived, they saw the suspect running away from the area. A K-9 track led police to evidence including a cash till, cash, and glass from the burglary. A second set of witnesses reported a male subject steal a bike and flee West on NE 8th St.. Officers caught the suspect and arrested him for commercial burglary.  Stolen property was recovered.
TIME 12: 32	CONTACT TYPE Theft/Warrants	LOCATION 13200 blk Se Eastgate Way	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-19950
NARRATIVE Suspect stole a laptop and purse from the Humane Society and fled the scene in a vehicle.  At 12:59 p.m., the same suspect and suspect vehicle were involved in another theft from a sporting goods store.  A responding Officer checked the area and located the female suspect and the suspect vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody and booked into jail.  Victim’s laptop was recovered.
TIME 18: 28	CONTACT TYPE Rape	LOCATION Bellevue – Redacted	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20026
NARRATIVE Detectives investigating an alleged rape by known suspects.
TIME 18: 30	CONTACT TYPE Theft/ Warrants	LOCATION 2000 blk 148 AVE NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20018
NARRATIVE Suspect entered the store, disrobed on the sales floor, stole additional clothes, put them on and ran out.  He was followed to an adjacent business where he stole additional items.  Suspect was located and taken into custody without incident.  Suspect was found to have 3 Warrants for Harassment and Trespassing. He was booked into jail.
TIME 19: 01	CONTACT TYPE Felony Warrant	LOCATION 12500 blk SE 54 ST	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20027
NARRATIVE Suspect’s mother contacted police about her daughter having several Warrants.  Police arrived, contacted the female and took her into custody for a Felony Warrant.

 04/12/2018

NO SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS

04/13/2018

TIME 00: 46	CONTACT TYPE Drugs	LOCATION 11400 blk Main ST.	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20269
NARRATIVE Suspect driving a vehicle was stopped for having a suspended license. After further investigation, the officer was granted permission to search the vehicle. The investigating officer located 4.4 g of suspected meth and several unmarked pills. The suspect was arrested. Charges pending lab results.
TIME 07: 00	CONTACT TYPE DV assault	LOCATION 500 blk Bellevue Way SE	INCIDENT/CASE# 2018-20292
NARRATIVE Suspect assaulted the female victim.  Suspect left the scene and may have damaged victim vehicle prior to leaving.  Suspect left prior to police arrival. Case forwarded to prosecutor.
TIME 14: 45	CONTACT TYPE Assault/Harassment	LOCATION 3700 blk 150 Ave SE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20370
NARRATIVE Suspect assaulted a gas station employee. When Officers arrived, he charged towards them while threatening to kill them. Suspect was subdued and eventually taken to jail where he continued to be very uncooperative.
TIME 23: 46	CONTACT TYPE DUI	LOCATION 14800 SE 8th St	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20481
NARRATIVE Subject crashed her vehicle into a curb, disabling it (photo). Suspect was arrested for DUI.  Subject blew a .20 BAC.

 04/14/2018

TIME 00: 15	CONTACT TYPE Drugs	LOCATION 1600 blk 148th Ave SE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20485
NARRATIVE Officer conducted a traffic stop. Officer noticed drug paraphernalia throughout the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun was found. Driver is a convicted felon and prohibited from being in possession of firearms.  Subject was booked into jail. Firearm was seized.
TIME 13: 47	CONTACT TYPE Assault	LOCATION 600 blk 116th Ave. NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20561
NARRATIVE Suspect assaulted an employee at the hotel.  When located, the suspect attempted to run from officers who caught the suspect, taking him to the ground.  No officer or suspect injuries.  Suspect was booked into jail for assault, obstructing, and resisting arrest.
TIME 14: 00	CONTACT TYPE Sex Offense	LOCATION 15200 blk Lake Hills Blvd.	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20567
NARRATIVE The victim saw the suspect using his cellular phone to view under the shower curtain while she and her daughter were showering in the women’s locker room.  Suspect arrested for voyeurism and booked into jail.
TIME 16: 40	CONTACT TYPE Sex Offense	LOCATION 15700 blk NE 4th St.	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20590
NARRATIVE Victim saw the suspect exposing his genitals.  Suspect was arrested for indecent exposure and booked.
TIME 19: 10	CONTACT TYPE Shoplift-False Statements-Drigs	LOCATION 2000 blk 148th Ave NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20611
NARRATIVE Officers responded to the store regarding a shoplift in progress. The suspects were contacted just prior to driving away and detained. 3 suspects were arrested for shoplifting. The suspect vehicle was towed to the station pending a search warrant. Two female suspects lied about their names. Both had several warrants including organized retail theft, Theft, drugs and driving with a suspended license. The suspects were transported to jail where booking searches of both females revealed narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia.
TIME 23: 05	CONTACT TYPE Assist-Traffic General	LOCATION SE 7th Pl / Lk. Hills Connector	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20654 (incident)
NARRATIVE The officer responded to the area regarding a driver stranded in her vehicle in the middle of a flooded roadway. Officer arrived and waded out to the flooded vehicle. The elderly female driver was rescued from her vehicle without further incident.
TIME 21: 44	CONTACT TYPE Burglary	LOCATION 5000 blk 119th Ave SE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20633
NARRATIVE Victim arrived home and noticed a back window was smashed at his home.
TIME 22: 46	CONTACT TYPE Fire Assist	LOCATION 3800 blk 124tth Ave SE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20652
SUBJECT INFO (REDACTABLE)
NARRATIVE A fire broke out at the dental office in Factoria.  Police provided traffic control for fire.

04/15/2018

TIME 05: 04	CONTACT TYPE Noise Complaint	LOCATION 1100 blk 106th Ave NE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20713
NARRATIVE Officer responded to a noise complaint of loud music and an associated vehicle. Upon contact, it was discovered that the driver had a misdemeanor warrant out of Seattle. Suspect was arrested and booked.
TIME 08: 00	CONTACT TYPE Exposing	LOCATION 13000 blk SE 26th St.	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20736
NARRATIVE Officer responded to an exposing complaint.   Victim stated that the suspect (former roommate) exposed himself to her and made lewd comments.  Suspect was not located, investigation ongoing.
TIME 19: 30	CONTACT TYPE Assault	LOCATION 700 blk 109th Ave SE	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20809
NARRATIVE The subject threatened to kill her aunt and sister. The aunt called 911 at which time the subject grabbed a large kitchen knife and continued the threatening behavior. Both victims fled the house. The suspect was detained without incident.
TIME 22: 57	CONTACT TYPE Theft/ Assault	LOCATION 2600 blk NE 10th Pl.	INCIDENT/CASE# 18-20835
NARRATIVE Subject called police to report that his mother assaulted him.  When officers arrived, they determined the subject was upset with his mother when he took his new shoes away because he stole her credit card and used it to buy the shoes.  The caller was arrested and after it was determined that he stole the credit card.

 

 

 

It is with sadness that we report that retired Police K-9 Roc passed away unexpectedly. Roc was with his adoptive family when he passed away in his sleep.  Roc had been retired since December 2016, enjoying his retirement, playing ball with his four kids, going to numerous baseball games, and bossing around his first ever four legged dog pal, Badger.

Roc started his career with the Bellevue Police Department with Officer Brad Knudtsen in November of 2009.  He completed over 400 hours of initial training and was certified in March of 2010.  Roc was a handful in his early days, so full of energy and drive, that he routinely spun in circles trying to catch his tail. This spinning became his trademark. Roc’s work ethic was unrivaled. Roc was always ready to go catch bad guys, and he did so with gusto.

Roc served the City of Bellevue and surrounding communities for nearly 7 years, amassing 85 captures and dozens of narcotics searches.  In October of 2016, Roc’s handler made the difficult decision to retire him early after a series of injuries threatened to leave him crippled. Roc will be missed by all members of the Bellevue Police Department.

Yesterday, Bellevue Police investigators arrested a 24 year-old Seattle woman that is accused of robbing a Bellevue bank on March 22nd.

On Thursday, March 22nd shortly after 5 p.m., Bellevue Police responded to a reported bank robbery at the Chase Bank located at 10550 NE 8th Street. This was the second robbery at that bank in as many months. When police arrived, they learned that the female suspect had passed a note to the teller and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Evidence left by the suspect at the scene led investigators to identify the suspect, a 24 year-old Seattle resident. Early in the morning on April 12th, investigators with the Bellevue Special Operations Group (SOG), assisted by the Bellevue Police and Seattle SWAT teams, served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in the Hillman City neighborhood of Seattle. The suspect was not home at the time, however while investigators were processing the scene, the suspect returned to the location and was arrested without incident. The suspect was interviewed by Detectives and later booked into the King County Jail for first degree robbery.

The Bellevue Police Department has released it’s annual report for 2017, highlighting numerous accomplishments and achievements by the department and its’ employees. The Department has produced an annual report each year since Bellevue was incorporated in 1953. Some of the notable accomplishments for 2017 include:

• The city witnessed a significant decrease in residential burglaries (down 16

  

  percent) as well as motor vehicle prowls (down 13 percent). Coordination between the patrol operations and investigations sections, as well as extensive work by our special operations group, led to the identification and arrest of a number of suspects involved in these types of crimes.

• The department hired 24 new employees in 2017, despite the current national challenges related to recruitment and hiring. In November, the Police Department selected a marketing firm to manage a comprehensive recruiting and hiring ad campaign, including a standalone website, online ads, and search engine optimization. The campaign launched in early 2018.
• The Police Department launched CompStat in May. CompStat is an intelligence-led model for policing that was pioneered by the New York City Police Department. The model uses data to identify crime trends and direct police resources to the areas where they can make the biggest impact on crime, taking into consideration the agency’s limited resources.
• The total number of  reported traffic collisions and injury collisions are down to 5 year lows, due in part to proactive enforcement by the Bellevue Police traffic unit.

The City of Bellevue continues to enjoy one of the lowest crime rates for a community of its size, due in large part to the close relationship between the Police Department and the Bellevue community, as well as the diligent work of the men and women of the Bellevue Police Department. The annual report is available on the city of Bellevue’s website, or hard copies are available at Bellevue city hall or at the police substations in Crossroads and Factoria.

Below are selected crime reports for the week of March 26, 2018. This is not a comprehensive list of incidents in Bellevue. For more information, please visit our interactive crime map. Continue reading “Selected Bellevue Crime Reports For April 2-8”