Bellevue Police Department Team Effort Solves Armed Robbery Case

A recent armed robbery at a Bellevue convenience store was solved after a team effort by the Bellevue Police Department.

The robbery took place on June 23, 2023, at 11:00 p.m. at a Shell Gas Station near Bellevue College. The perpetrator, dressed entirely in black and armed with a handgun, robbed the clerk and then fled on foot. Bellevue Police patrol and K-9 units swiftly converged on the scene, established a perimeter, and conducted a thorough search of the area, however the suspect was gone.

The case was assigned to the Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit. A Detective was able to locate video footage in the area that linked the suspect to a vehicle, and subsequently to an apartment complex in Bellevue, which proved instrumental in the investigation. The Detective was able to confirm the suspect’s identity and confirm his presence in the area of the robbery using cell phone location data.

The Bellevue Police Department’s Special Operations Group (SOG) then took on the task of locating the suspect and following him until the Bellevue Police SWAT team could move in and safely make an arrest. The team was also able to establish that the suspect was staying at a residence in Shoreline. The Bellevue Police SWAT Team executed a safe and strategically sound warrant service on August 29th in Shoreline, resulting in the apprehension of the suspect, Erick Anderson.

During a search of the Shoreline residence, Detectives located a firearm in Anderson’s bedroom, along with black sneakers bearing a distinctive white pattern believed to have been worn during the robbery.

The Bellevue Police Department’s Crime Analysis division assisted the case as well by disseminating intelligence related to this case and aiding in the analysis of the suspect’s patterns and criminal records.

Bellevue Chief of Police Wendell Shirley, speaking about the case, stated: “I commend the dedication, teamwork, and professionalism exhibited by all personnel involved in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion. The residents of Bellevue can sleep well knowing that their Police Department is committed to ensuring their safety.”

The suspect, Erick Anderson, is now in custody, has been charged with robbery in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm, and is being held on a bail amount of $250,000.