Bellevue Beat Blog

Bellevue police are once again handing out free steering wheel locks to 2021 or older Hyundai owners with key ignition or any KIA. Due to the increasing number of thefts of these cars, KIA and Hyundai Corporate have supplied a limited number of steering wheel locks to help protect your vehicle. Earlier this month, we successfully handed out well over a hundred locks.

“While we know nothing is an absolute guarantee when it comes to theft prevention, we do know that the more difficult you make it for criminals, the less likely you are to be a victim,” said Crime Prevention Officer Ruby Daly. “Hopefully, the steering wheel locks will provide another layer of deterrence.”

Please see the times and locations to pick up your free steering wheel lock. You will need to bring the car’s registration and your identification. This event is open to Bellevue residents.

Wheel Lock Distribution schedule:

Bellevue Police Lobby 450 110th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004 Friday, March 24th 12-4 pm

Crossroads Sub Station 15600 NE 8th St Bellevue, WA 98007 Saturday, March 25th 10-2 pm

Factoria Sub Station 4051 Factoria Blvd SE Bellevue, WA 98006 Saturday, March 25th 10-2 pm

Anti-theft software update

Hyundai and KIA have also announced anti-theft software upgrades for some vehicles, with more coming online later in the spring. Visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for more information.

Deter car prowls and thefts

Remember always to lock your vehicle, remove the keys and do not leave anything of value inside. If possible, park in well-lighted areas. Do not leave a running car unattended.

Anti-theft devices, such as steering wheel locks, car alarms and a hidden kill switch, will make your vehicle less attractive to thieves. Many times, prowls and thefts are crimes of opportunity, so anything you can do to make your vehicle more difficult to break into or steal, the better.

For more crime prevention information, please see our website.

Officers are increasing patrols following a series of home burglaries in Bellevue and surrounding areas.  Detectives are investigating at least 16 Bellevue burglaries that they believe are being committed by the same crew of suspects.

Most Bellevue burglaries have occurred in the Lakemont area and typically happen in the evening between 5:00-9:00 pm when residents are less likely to be home. The suspects are known to use the trail systems to enter and leave a neighborhood and have a get-away driver and car waiting for them. They often enter the home through the back door but have used a second-story window. The burglars target jewelry, cash, purses and safes, and they tend to burglarize more than one home in a neighborhood.

The suspected crew usually travels in groups of three; they are dark-complected and wear dark clothing and masks to conceal their identity. Investigators believe this is an organized ring that is victimizing people from Kent to Bellingham.

Bellevue police officers and detectives are increasing patrols in the neighborhoods and are regularly sharing information with other law enforcement agencies to track and identify these suspects.

Please call 911 if you see any suspicious behavior in your neighborhood. Make sure to turn on your alarm system, lock your doors and windows and secure your valuables. Turn on exterior lights and consider motion flood lights. If you plan to be away, leave the lights on to make it look like you are at home. If you have ladders or other materials for climbing, please bring them inside or lock them, so a burglar doesn’t have easy access to second-story windows.

For more crime prevention information, check our crime prevention tips.

If you own a 2021 or older Hyundai with key ignition or any KIA, we have free steering wheel locks available. Due to the increasing number of thefts of these cars, KIA and Hyundai Corporate have supplied a limited number of steering wheel locks to help protect your vehicle.

Please see the times and locations to pick up your free steering wheel lock. You will need to bring the car’s registration and your Id. This event is open to Bellevue residents.

Wheel Lock Distribution schedule:

Bellevue Police Lobby 450 110th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004 Friday, March 10th 12-3 pm

Crossroads Sub Station 15600 NE 8th St Bellevue, WA 98007 Saturday, March 11th 10-1 pm

Factoria Sub Station 4051 Factoria Blvd SE Bellevue, WA 98006 Saturday, March 11th 10-1 pm

Anti-theft software update:

Hyundai and KIA have also announced anti-theft software upgrades for some vehicles, with more coming online later in the spring. Visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for more information.

Deter car prowls and thefts

Remember always to lock your vehicle, remove the keys and do not leave anything of value inside. If possible, park in well-lighted areas. Do not leave a running car unattended.

Anti-theft devices, such as steering wheel locks and car alarms will make your vehicle less attractive to thieves. Many times, prowls and thefts are crimes of opportunity, so anything you can do to make your vehicle more difficult to break into or steal, the better.

Discussing the Community Crisis Assistance Team and Eastlink Light Rail

The Bellevue Police and Fire Departments continuously work together to expand and improve public safety. Recently, the Bellevue City Council approved an investment in public safety, creating new positions and allocating resources for the Community Crisis Assistance Team (CCAT) and a team to prepare for the arrival of Light Rail. Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley and Bellevue Fire Chief Jay Hagen invite the community to learn more about these programs and provide input.

As we develop and implement these new programs, we proactively seek your input and feedback to ensure we get this right, creating a safe and equitable Bellevue for all. Please join Bellevue Police and Fire for a community conversation to learn more about these programs, ask questions and provide feedback.

Who:               Bellevue Police and Fire Departments

What:              Public Safety Forum: CCAT and Eastlink Light Rail

When:             March 14, 2023: 6:30-8 pm

Where:            North Bellevue Community Center

4063 148^th Ave NE

Bellevue, WA  98007

Remote:          Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Join Zoom Meeting

https://cityofbellevue.zoom.us/j/85347940070?pwd=MFRYWWU2bUd4Q1ZEdGtMVEZ4Z2Njdz09

Meeting ID: 853 4794 0070

Passcode: 977745

All are welcome to attend.   For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable accommodation requests, please phone at least 48 hours in advance at 425-452-4129 (voice) or email mblack@bellevuewa.gov. For complaints regarding accommodations, contact the ADA/Title VI Administrator at 425-452-6168 (voice). If you are deaf or hard of hearing, dial 711.

Officers responding to a call for suspected narcotics use in a private parking garage in the 500 block of Bellevue Way NE discovered two suspects in the car, each with multiple warrants. Once officers confirmed the warrants, the suspects were arrested and booked into jail. During the arrest, an officer saw a handgun on the driver’s side floor. The gun was fully loaded with a live round in the chamber.  

After obtaining a warrant, the officers searched the vehicle and recovered several bags of suspected pills, drug paraphernalia, documents with social security numbers and dates of birth, a loaded handgun magazine, and multiple sets of shaved keys. Nearly $1,000 in small bills was also located on the male suspect. The obscured VIN revealed the vehicle was stolen.  

The drugs in the car included 37 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 161 grams of suspected fentanyl, more than 156 grams of suspected Xanax and several dozen other pills.

“This is a great example of good old fashion police work,” said Captain Ellen Inman. “Not only did officers get a significant quantity of drugs off the streets, but they also recovered a stolen weapon and two magazines of ammunition.”

Both suspects are from Tacoma. 39-year-old Brandon Stanley has been charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act – intent to sell. Charges are pending against his 40 -year-old female accomplice. They both remain in jail at this time.  

Case # 23-3619

偷盗和个人信息盗窃的案件。诈骗方假冒中国政府或者警方的身份联系受害人，以威胁拘捕或遣送的方式诱导受害人配合调查，汇款解决问题。诈骗手法通常包括电子汇款，电子礼品卡和现金交易。

在最近的一起案件中，诈骗方从当地电话公司盗取号码，用假冒身份得到受害者的信任，受害者汇款之后发现被骗。数额巨大。

如果有人声称他们是海外政府工作人员并索要钱财，请务必留意。在您不能确认是否遇到诈骗情况时，请及时拨打咨询您所在地方当局的警察。

Bellevue Police are seeing an increase in fraud, theft, and ID theft cases involving people claiming to be Chinese government or law enforcement officials. The suspects contact the victim, claim they are in trouble and must pay money to fix the problem, even threaten that they may be arrested or deported. The scams take many forms, wiring money, purchasing and electronically sending gift cards, or telling someone to withdraw cash and hand it over. 

In one case, the suspects cloned phone numbers from a local cell phone company and even sent the victim “official-looking” credentials, which prompted the victim to believe it was real. These are scams! Victims are losing tens of thousands of dollars to these frauds.

Please do not reply or cooperate with anyone claiming to be an overseas official asking you for money. If you don’t know them, don’t trust them. Instead, call your local police department, and they will check it out. It is better to take the time to verify than to be out thousands of dollars.

Black history is American history. It is more than simply a month to remember the too often-neglected accomplishments of Black Americans. During Black History Month, we should all be reminded to continuously recognize the incredible contributions made and tremendous struggles overcome by Black Americans throughout our nation’s history.

The Bellevue Police Department works diligently to create a space for intentional learning and authentic understanding. The African American Advisory Council and the Bellevue Police Department value their partnership and look forward to continued growth as we work together to make meaningful changes in our community.

We are pleased to announce the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) has appointed Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley to its Board of Commissioners. CALEA accreditation is the gold standard in public safety. The Bellevue Police Department has received its CALEA accreditation six times since 2005. CALEA accredits only about five percent of all law enforcement agencies in the country.  

A CALEA seal confirms an agency’s voluntary commitment to the pursuit of excellence by meeting an established set of professional standards through annual reviews and achieving other assessment measures. A CALEA accreditation is the “Mark of Professional Excellence” for today’s public safety agencies. 

Chief Shirley will assist the CALEA commission with reviewing agency applications for accreditation, provide policy guidance for Commission operations and further promote this high standard of excellence in law enforcement.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve with the CALEA Commission,” said Chief Shirley. “This is an opportunity to help guide other agencies to achieve the CALEA level of excellence and maintain our department’s commitment to exceptional public service.”

The Bellevue Police Department will partner with the Northwest Police Accreditation Coalition (NWPAC) to host the CALEA Conference this fall, November 8-11, 2023, in downtown Bellevue.    

Three prolific robbery suspects have been arrested and charged in a series of violent crimes throughout King County. The two-month-long crime spree began October 12 when Daniel Recinos, Cesar Sandoval, and Ricardo Valencia-Alvarez began using vehicles they stole during violent carjackings and kidnappings to commit armed robberies at gas stations and convenience stores. These crimes occurred throughout King County, including Bellevue, Burien, Kent, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Redmond, and Seattle. The trio allegedly threatened the clerks with pistols and even fired a shot inside the Renton business.

“These three suspects are charged with violently robbing multiple businesses without regard for the employees they traumatized,” stated Captain Shelby Shearer. “We appreciate our partners in the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office who worked closely with us to ensure these dangerous individuals were taken off the streets.”

During the investigation, detectives uncovered evidence of the suspects bragging about the robberies. Working with Seattle Police, the King County Sheriff’s Department, and other affected agencies, investigators were able to identify and arrest all three suspects. Investigators with multiple agencies served warrants at Recinos’ apartment in Bellevue, Sandoval’s home in Seattle, and Valencia-Alvarez’ apartment in Auburn. Detectives recovered pistols used during the robberies, stolen property, and other evidence tying the suspects to the crimes.

Racinos is charged with five counts of First-Degree Robbery, one count of First-Degree Kidnapping, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. He’s in jail on $1 million bail. Valencia-Alvarez is charged with seven counts of First-Degree Robbery and is in jail on $750,000 bail. Sandoval is charged with nine counts of First-Degree Robbery and is in jail on $1 million bail.

Case # 22-57117