Author: bellevuepd

Earlier this week, Bellevue Detectives with the Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) arrested a Federal Way man accused of sex trafficking two Oregon girls, one of whom was only 11 years old, after meeting them online.

HTU Detectives arrested 25-year-old Ezra Wimana following a thorough investigation into a human trafficking case involving minors. Wimana, who appeared before a judge on Wednesday, faces multiple charges, including two counts of Trafficking in the Second Degree, two counts of Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, and one count of Rape of a Child in the 3rd degree. Wimana remains at the King County jail with a bail of $500,000.

The investigation unfolded on January 9, when Bellevue Police received a request for assistance from a Police Department in eastern Oregon. The Oregon agency alerted Bellevue Police about two missing juveniles, ages 11 and 15, who were suspected of being victims of human trafficking. Subsequent efforts by Bellevue Police HTU Detectives and Patrol Officers led to the recovery of the two juveniles from a Bellevue residence, who were later returned to their parents.

The investigation revealed that the juveniles fell prey to the trafficking scheme after connecting with the suspect Wimana on Instagram and Snapchat. Wimana allegedly transported the minors over 300 miles from eastern Oregon to Washington, where they were subjected to exploitation, including substance abuse, sexual exploitation and sexual assault. Wimana allegedly forced the young victims to attempt to engage in prostitution along Aurora Avenue in Seattle, and later abandoned the victims on the side of the road when he was dissatisfied with their performance.

To safeguard children and prevent similar incidents, the Bellevue Police Department offers the following tips for parents:

Educate Your Children: Teach children about online safety and the dangers of interacting with strangers on social media platforms.

Monitor Online Activities: Regularly monitor your children’s online interactions, including social media accounts and messaging apps, and be vigilant for any suspicious behavior or contacts.

Establish Open Communication: Foster open communication with your children, encouraging them to share any concerns or uncomfortable experiences they encounter online.

Set Boundaries: Establish clear guidelines for online interactions and educate children about the importance of safeguarding their personal information.

Stay Informed: Stay informed about the latest tactics used by human traffickers to lure victims online and educate children about the warning signs of grooming and exploitation. More information can be found on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force website.

If you or someone you know is a victim or have knowledge of trafficking anywhere in the Puget Sound Region, please contact the Bellevue Police Human Trafficking Unit at VICEHT@Bellevuewa.gov. Tips will be kept confidential if desired.

Last Wednesday, Detectives with the Bellevue Police Department assigned to the Special Enforcement Team, arrested a 53-year-old Bellevue Resident for allegedly selling a wide variety of narcotics. The suspect was arrested during an operation this past Wednesday. The arrest follows a thorough investigation spanning several months.  

The suspect, Karl J. Drexinger, faces several charges of Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act (VUCSA)-Delivery of a Controlled Substance and VUCSA-Possession with Intent to Deliver.

The investigation, initiated in response to multiple complaints about suspicious activities around Drexinger’s motorhome, revealed consistent short-stay foot traffic indicative of illicit drug transactions. A Bellevue Detective with experience in narcotics-related investigations conducted a thorough investigation over the past several months. Through the investigation, Detectives were able to confirm that Drexinger was indeed dealing a wide variety of drugs out of his recreational vehicle and at other locations in Bellevue, including alleged fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. What is even more concerning is that Drexinger allegedly conducted many of these drug deals within 1,000 feet of Highland Middle School.

Drexinger was subsequently arrested last Wednesday, and a search warrant executed on his motorhome uncovered a substantial amount of suspected narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, alongside drug paraphernalia. The street value of the narcotics recovered was estimated to be approximately $20,000.

Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley emphasized the impact of Drexinger’s arrest on community safety, stating, “This arrest is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crimes that negatively affect our community. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Bellevue residents.”

Drexinger is currently in custody.

Recently, Officers and Detectives from both the Kirkland and Bellevue Police Departments worked together to capture a burglar targeting storage lockers in apartment building garages.

At 4:30 a.m. on January 23rd, an alert Kirkland Police Officer on patrol in south Kirkland near the Bellevue city limits noticed a white pickup truck driving with a registration that had expired over three years prior. The Officer stopped the truck for the registration infraction and noticed that, despite the heavy rain at the time, several cardboard boxes filling the truck’s bed were dry as if having just been loaded into the vehicle. The officer also noticed the boxes had address labels from Pokemon, a local company, and were addressed to a nearby resident of an apartment building in Bellevue. While Kirkland Police detained the driver, 52-year-old Lynnwood resident Kelly B. Wick, another Officer went to the Bellevue resident’s apartment, woke him up, and discovered that his storage locker where he kept thousands of dollars of Pokemon merchandise had, indeed, just been broken into. The victim accompanied the Kirkland Police officer to the location of the traffic stop where Wick was being detained and confirmed that the boxes of Pokemon merchandise in Wick’s truck had been stolen from his storage unit, prompting Wick’s arrest.

Kirkland Police alerted Bellevue Police and, over the next few days, Bellevue Police Detectives discovered video evidence of Wick committing the burglary. Wick was booked into King County Jail and subsequently charged with one count of second degree burglary and one count of criminal trespass.

This case is yet another example of the close collaboration between police departments on the eastside.

With motor vehicle thefts happening at an alarming rate across the country and in King County, the Bellevue Police Department is creating a specialized motor vehicle theft initiative specifically targeted to this problem.

In 2023, Bellevue experienced a 47 percent increase year-over-year in reported theft of motor vehicles. This increase was primarily driven by a staggering increase in the thefts of two specific makes of cars – KIA and Hyundai. While Bellevue Police have been working with owners of these vehicles to prevent theft, it’s clear that more needs to be done.

Beginning this week, Bellevue Police crime prevention analysts will begin constantly monitoring case information and gathering intelligence on auto theft within the city. This information will then be used by police to identify problem offenders and pinpoint high-risk areas geographically through data collection.

 “We need to tackle this from all angles,” said Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley. “Thieves are hopping from city to city, stealing vehicles in a matter of seconds and then using them to conduct additional crimes around our region.”

“Our Detectives will investigate and arrest those responsible, regardless of where they reside,” Chief Shirley said. “But, we also need to partner with our residents and educate them on ways to help prevent thefts in the first place. By leveraging relationships between the Bellevue Police, the prosecutor’s office, and the community, together we will send a strong message: If you come to Bellevue to steal cars, you will be caught and held accountable.”

The task force is just one of the ways Bellevue Police have worked to reduce this type of crime in the community. Police have given away over 400 free steering wheel locks to vehicle owners, and have developed a postcard that provides information to owners of KIA and Hyundai vehicles about manufacturer recalls.

Bellevue Police investigators have identified three teen girls who are suspected in a series of car break-ins and other crimes throughout the region. The arrests come following an investigation spanning five jurisdictions.

On January 25th, Bellevue Police responded to 18 overnight car prowls in the Lake Hills neighborhood. The incidents appeared to be related; three teen girls were seen using hammers to break the windows of victim vehicles.

The suspects were described as teenage girls and were seen on surveillance footage wearing distinctive pajama pants and hoodies. A Bellevue property crimes Detective was assigned to the case, and soon learned of several similar incidents around the region involving suspects that matched the description of those involved in the Bellevue incident, including an armed robbery in Federal Way on January 28th (FWPD Case# 24-01186), as well as possible additional similar incidents in Tacoma, Seattle, and Auburn. P0lice believe at least two of the juveniles involved in the Bellevue crimes may have been involved in similar crimes following the Federal Way robbery.

After assistance from surrounding agencies and other sources, Bellevue Police arrested two of the involved girls this past Friday. The first suspect, A 13-year-old Federal Way Resident, was arrested for suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, malicious mischief, and motor vehicle prowling. The second suspect, a 14-year-old Federal Way resident, was arrested for suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, motor vehicle prowling, and malicious mischief. Police have identified the third juvenile female suspected in the Bellevue prowls, a 16-year-old Federal Way resident, and charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, motor vehicle prowling, and malicious mischief will be forwarded to the King County Juvenile Prosecutor for consideration. The second and third suspects were already in custody at the King County Youth Detention Facility for charges unrelated to the Bellevue incidents.

Bellevue Police are investigating after two unrelated incidents last night.

First, at around 1:30 a.m., A Bellevue police officer attempted to stop a black Mercedes SUV that was driving recklessly in the Crossroads neighborhood. The vehicle failed to stop and the Officer did not pursue it. A short time later, residents in the area of the Lake Hills Shopping center in the 500 block of 156th Avenue SE reported hearing a large crash and noticed a strong odor of natural gas. Officers responded, along with Bellevue Fire, and located the vehicle, which had crashed into a building and was abandoned at the scene. The vehicle had struck a natural gas line. Approximately 100 residents were evacuated until PSE responded to turn off the gas line. Bellevue Police believe three suspects were in the vehicle, and the investigation is ongoing.

Then, at 4:43 a.m., Police received a call of an armed robbery at the Sunset Village apartment complex, located in the 12800 block of SE 40th Place. Officers responded and learned that the victim, an employee at a casino in Skyway, had returned home to Bellevue and was confronted by five armed suspects. The suspects forced their way into the victim’s apartment and stole several items at gunpoint. Police believe that the victim was followed home from the casino, following a pattern of similar past robberies in the region.

Bellevue Police do not believe that these two incidents are related.

Yesterday, members of the Bellevue Police Department’s bomb squad responded to a rather unusual call – a report of a military-grade rocket in the garage of a Bellevue residence. Officers later determined the object to be inert.

On Wednesday evening, Bellevue Police received a call from an Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio. The museum had received a call from a Bellevue resident who expressed interest in donating an item that had belonged to his deceased neighbor. The man stated that his neighbor had originally purchased the item from an estate sale.

Yesterday, members of the Bellevue Police patrol division and bomb squad responded to the residence and contacted the neighbor who had called the museum. Officers were given access to the reported missile. Bomb squad members inspected the object and then learned that it was in fact a Douglas AIR-2 Genie (previous designation MB-1), an unguided air-to-air rocket that is designed to carry a 1.5 kt W25 nuclear warhead. There was no warhead attached.

Bomb squad members confirmed that the object was inert and contained no rocket fuel – essentially meaning that the item was an artifact with no explosive hazard.

Because the item was inert and the military did not request it back, police left the item with the neighbor to be restored for display in a museum.

Bellevue Police recently identified the suspect in a crime spree that occurred in October of 2023. The suspect has since been charged with numerous felonies.

On October 11, 2023 just before 4 a.m., An observant Bellevue Police Officer proactively patrolling discovered a man, later identified as Jeffrey Thomas Weaver, passed out behind the wheel of a stolen Chevrolet Tahoe. Officers deployed tire deflation spikes and attempted to wake the Weaver, however he fled the scene and subsequently stole a construction worker’s truck after driving the wrong way down State Route 520. Weaver then allegedly rammed a Bellevue police cruiser with the stolen construction truck during his escape. Fortunately, the officer only suffered minor injuries. Despite extensive efforts, Weaver evaded capture at the time.

Breakthrough in Auburn:

Sixteen days later, Weaver was apprehended in Auburn after a similar incident in which he allegedly rammed an Auburn Police vehicle and then attempted to carjack a passing motorist. Auburn police were able to arrest Weaver after a foot chase. During a recorded telephone call from jail, Weaver made references to the Bellevue incident and allegedly told an acquaintance that he had planned a shootout with police. Bellevue police located further evidence during a search of the Tahoe that linked Weaver to the Bellevue incident, as well as a loaded firearm. Weaver is a convicted felon and as such is prohibited from possessing firearms. Jail calls provided crucial admissions from Weaver, corroborating his involvement in the Bellevue incident. Weaver, currently held in King County Jail for an unrelated case, now faces a host of charges related to the Bellevue incident, including:

• Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
• Attempting to Elude
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle
• Assault in the Second Degree
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree
• Hit and Run-attended

The Bellevue Police Department commends the dedicated efforts of its officers and investigators in apprehending Weaver and ensuring the safety of the community. The successful conclusion of this case underscores the department’s commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice.

Today, the Bellevue Police Department released a short video to acknowledge both the successes and challenges that have shaped our past year. Join us in exploring the dynamic landscape of the past year, highlighting achievements, and addressing areas of concern.

Crime Reduction Successes: The dedication of the Bellevue Police Department and the collaboration with our community resulted in a 5 percent decrease in overall crime. Notably, commercial burglaries and residential burglaries saw significant reductions of 20 and 22 percent respectively, showcasing the effectiveness of our crime prevention strategies.

Auto Theft Challenges: While celebrating successes, we acknowledge the 47 percent increase in auto thefts during 2023. This spike was predominantly driven by a notable surge in thefts of KIA and Hyundai vehicles. Recognizing this challenge, we are actively working to address and combat this trend through targeted initiatives and community involvement, and in 2023 we gave away over 400 steering wheel locks to vehicle owners, with more events planned in the coming year.

Community Crisis Assistance Team Launch: In response to the evolving needs of our community, the Bellevue Police Department launched the Community Crisis Assistance Team. This specialized unit is dedicated to providing support and assistance during crisis situations, ensuring a compassionate and effective response to community members in need.

DUI Enforcement and Staffing: Department members made 306 DUI arrests in 2023, emphasizing our dedication to keeping Bellevue’s streets safe. Additionally, the Bellevue Police Department welcomed 33 new sworn staff members, reinforcing our efforts to enhance our capabilities and better serve the community.

K-9 Unit Achievements: Our K-9 unit played a vital role in law enforcement efforts, conducting 78 successful tracks resulting in 31 felony apprehensions and 8 misdemeanor apprehensions. These accomplishments underscore the effectiveness of our K-9 unit in maintaining public safety.

Looking Ahead: As we move into a new year, the Bellevue Police Department remains committed to building on our successes and addressing emerging challenges. We appreciate the ongoing support of the Bellevue community and are dedicated to working collaboratively to make Bellevue the place where you want to be!

Officers to be trained and equipped with the new gear in a phased approach starting in February

Community members in Bellevue will soon see new tasers and body-worn cameras on patrol officers in the city as the Bellevue Police Department integrates new high-tech gear into its law enforcement practices. The department is launching a patrol officer body camera program using ‘AXON Body 4’ body cameras and an equipment upgrade to ‘Taser 10’ tasers in early 2024. These advanced tools are expected to bolster transparency, accountability, and safety within the Bellevue community.

Officers are being trained this month with the Taser 10 tasers and BPD anticipates adding more than 200 new Taser 10s to officers’ available equipment resources by the end of February. Also, a select group of patrol officers will be field testing the new AXON body cameras in early February. BPD anticipates deploying the body-worn cameras among the full team of commissioned patrol officers by the end of March.

The AXON Body 4 body cameras bring an array of advanced features to Bellevue, including high-definition recording capabilities, improved low-light performance, and an expanded field of view compared with most police body cameras in use today. Notably, these cameras boast a two-way communication feature, facilitating seamless audio and video interactions between officers and command centers while enhancing real-time situational awareness and response coordination.

The introduction of Taser 10 tasers represents a significant update to the department’s less-lethal options. These state-of-the-art devices incorporate enhanced accuracy, range, safety protocols, and an intuitive interface, ensuring effective responses to incidents while prioritizing the safety of all involved parties.

Features of the Taser 10 tasers include:

• 45-foot range. This is more than twice the range of tasers currently being carried by BPD officers. This increased range will allow for more time and space for officers to attempt to de-escalate and resolve conflicts.
• Audible and visual warning alert. A bright pulsing light and loud alert sound emit whenever the weapon’s Warning Alert is initiated, allowing the user the opportunity to de-escalate without deploying cartridges.
• Individually targeted probes. Unlike previous models, the Taser 10 features single probe deployment, which allows Officers to place each taser probe with precision and accuracy regardless of their distance to the subject. Users can choose a safe target area on the person at any distance, reducing the chances of injuries to the Officer or subject.

“The Bellevue Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to utilizing technology that fosters public safety, transparency, and trust within the community,” said Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley. “The implementation of AXON Body 4 body cameras and Taser 10 tasers underscores our dedication to providing top-tier service and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, and we are thankful to our partners in the community who helped make this equipment purchase a reality.”

The Bellevue Police Foundation contributed to the purchase of this new gear through a donation to Bellevue Police. The foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to foster community support to fund equipment purchases, training, and public recognition for officers in the Bellevue community.

The addition of body-worn cameras to Bellevue’s police department equipment is the culmination of years of preparation. The department engaged the community and its community Police Advisory Councils in 2021 and offered additional information about the technology on EngagingBellevue and the department website. In addition, use of body cameras for officers was one of the recommendations submitted by an independent review agency OIR after the mayor pledged to review the city’s police use of force policies in 2020.