While attempting to retrieve his impounded grey GMC SUV at the Bellevue Police Department, 36-year-old Kevin M. Sampson was arrested by BPD Special Operations Group (SOG) for allegedly conducting a series of nighttime burglaries – with some crimes occurring while the victims slept in their beds.
Starting on July 16 and through September 19, law enforcement responded to several early morning burglary and attempted burglary incidents. Victims shared with law enforcement they often would have no idea the suspect – Kevin Sampson – had entered their homes until after the incident when they noticed missing possessions – like a firearm, Louis Vuitton and Chanel purses, credit and debit cards, or personal checks. Through their investigation, SOG detectives learned Sampson would gain entry into a home by using an unlocked window or sliding door – even from a home’s second story. In some of the cases, Sampson even returned days later and burglarized the same homes.
Using security footage provided by victims or neighbors of the victims, Bellevue SOG was able to confirm an individual similar to Sampson’s description was at the scene during the following burglaries:
July 16, 2024, 2:15 a.m.: 10000 block of N.E. 15th Street
August 20, 2024, 2:05 a.m.: 10000 block of N.E. 13th Street
September 14, 2024, 2:22 a.m.: 17700 block of S.E. 58th Place
September 19, 2024, 2:19 a.m.: 5500 block of 171st Avenue S.E.
Bellevue Police were also able to connect Sampson with additional burglaries in the same Lakemont neighborhood. The investigation also determined that following the burglaries, Sampson would then allegedly attempt to cash stolen checks or use stolen debit and credit cards for fraudulent purchases in the area.
At approximately 3:49 a.m. on September 19, law enforcement responded to one of these attempted burglaries on the 17700 block of S.E. 58th Place. Thanks to the officers’ quick response, police spotted a grey GMC SUV matching the description of Sampson’s vehicle leaving the scene and attempted a traffic stop, however, the driver fled the scene, abandoned his vehicle, and fled on foot. Police later confirmed the suspect in the vehicle matched Sampson’s description. Bellevue Police impounded the vehicle back to the station and obtained a warrant to search the SUV. This search led to detectives finding victims’ missing debit and credit cards and personal items such as the designer purses that were reported as stolen following the burglaries.
Bellevue officers and SOG detectives developed probable cause to arrest Kevin Sampson for numerous crimes, including for several burglary incidents. This arrest was made when Sampson attempted to retrieve his GMC SUV at the Bellevue Police Department in the evening of September 19. He was later booked in the King County Jail.
Kevin Sampson was arrested for the following crimes:
Residential Burglary, Six Counts
Identity Theft Second Degree, Two Counts
Forgery, One Count
Theft of a Firearm, One Count
T.S.P. First Degree, One Count
P.S.P. Second Degree, One Count
Prior to Sampson’s arrest, Bellevue SOG’s investigation also found the suspect had a prior arrest history that included two counts of indecent exposure, with one involving a juvenile female (November 2023 and January 2024). A male suspect driving the same vehicle used in the two indecent exposure incidents later attempted to kidnap a woman in Kent in June 2024. Sampson’s arrest for the sexually motivated crimes, followed by these nighttime occupied burglaries, is alarming. Sampson has formally been charged with 14 felonies in King County Superior Court and remains in custody on $160,000 bond.
“I’m happy to report that a suspect with a prolific criminal history will now face consequences for his alleged actions,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of Police for the Bellevue Police Department. “This case demonstrates the outstanding work the men and women within the Bellevue Police Department accomplish each day to keep this city as a safe place to live, work, and visit.”
The Bellevue Police Department reminds all residents to take a set of simple safety precautions every day while they are in their homes or before they leave their residence:
1) Lock all doors in the house,
2) Shut and lock all windows that are not in use,
3) Shut and lock all windows and doors each night,
4) Shut and lock the door connected between a garage and home, and
5) Arm the home’s security system
If an individual feels their safety is threatened at any time, they are strongly urged to contact Bellevue Police by dialing 911.
Bellevue Beat Blog 