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The Bellevue Police Department is issuing an urgent reminder to all drivers, with a special emphasis on delivery drivers, to refrain from leaving their vehicles running and unattended, following a recent series of vehicle thefts during delivery activities. This precautionary message aims to curb criminal activities and ensure the safety of our community members.
In two recent incidents on July 28th and August 13th, delivery drivers in Bellevue fell victim to vehicle thefts when they left their cars unattended with engines running. In both cases, drivers returned to their vehicles only to discover a suspect inside, with the alarming escalation that a firearm was displayed by the suspect in both instances. These events serve as an important reminder that such negligence can not only lead to financial loss but also jeopardize personal safety.
Bellevue Police Captain Joe Nault emphasized the importance of responsible vehicle management, stating, “Leaving your vehicle running and unattended, even for a brief moment, can inadvertently facilitate criminal activities. We urge all drivers, especially delivery personnel, to exercise caution and adopt proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring.”
The Bellevue Police Department recommends the following safety tips to mitigate the risk of vehicle theft:

1. Turn Off and Secure Your Vehicle: Always turn off the engine and lock your vehicle when exiting, even for a short period. Unattended running vehicles can be tempting targets for opportunistic criminals.
2. Take Your Keys: Never leave your keys in the ignition, even if you intend to return quickly. It takes only seconds for a thief to take advantage of an unattended vehicle.
3. Stay Vigilant: Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the authorities promptly. Your observations can contribute to the safety of the community.
4. Use Remote Start Systems Wisely: If your vehicle has a remote start feature, ensure you are within a safe distance and maintain a line of sight while your vehicle warms up.
5. Communicate with Your Employer: If you are a delivery driver, communicate with your employer about safety protocols and guidelines for securing your vehicle during deliveries.
   By adhering to these guidelines, we can collectively create a safer environment for all residents and help deter criminal activities. The Bellevue Police Department remains committed to working closely with the community to prevent incidents of this nature and ensure the security of all residents and visitors.

The injured Bellevue motorcycle officer is currently in critical condition and in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center. 39-year-old Kevin Bereta sustained multiple injuries after an incident where he was ejected off his motorcycle, which caused him to fall off the Michigan St. on-ramp onto the southbound lanes of I-5. Officer Bereta was riding as part of the Vice President’s motorcade during her Seattle visit when the accident occurred Tuesday afternoon.

Officer Bereta joined the Bellevue Police Department in January 2018 and transferred to the Traffic Division as a motorcycle officer in 2020.

Vice President Kamala Harris called Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley to check on Officer Bereta and to express her concern for him and his family.

The Washington State Patrol is investigating this incident.

Bellevue Police arrested a 42-year-old Maple Valley man on sex trafficking charges after a 15-year-old girl told them she was forced to provide sex for clients at his home and other locations. Detectives served a search warrant at Tony Eldridge’s home in the 22500 block of SE 218^th St in Maple Valley on August 3, 2023. Following a three-hour standoff, Eldridge surrendered, was taken into custody, and booked into jail. King County Prosecutors charged Eldridge with Human Trafficking, Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Rape of a Child, and three counts of Promoting Prostitution. He is being held on $500,000 bail. Detectives seized his car as it was allegedly used during the crimes.

Officers recovered the 15-year-old victim on July 1, 2023, when they responded to a disturbance in the 11000 block NE 8th St in Bellevue. During the investigation, officers learned the girl was staying with Eldridge in what prosecutors described as a brothel in his Maple Valley home. Detectives accuse Eldridge of sexually and physically abusing the child and profiting from her commercial sexual exploitation.

Detectives discovered Eldridge is a registered sex offender in Multnomah County, Oregon, having been convicted of Promoting Prostitution in 2013.

Eldridge is scheduled for arraignment on August 17, 2023.  

Bellevue and Kirkland police are investigating three overnight smash-and-grab burglaries. Bellevue officers responded to a collision report shortly after 6 am where a truck struck a building in the 900 block of 160th Ave NE. On scene, officers learned the collision was intentional, involving five suspects, four men and a woman, all in their 20s. The driver backed the truck into the business and entered the store. All the suspects had fled the scene by the time officers arrived.

The stolen green pickup truck was the same vehicle suspected in two similar burglaries in Kirkland. In one of the burglaries, a suspect fired a weapon to be able to enter the business in the 12500 block of NE 85th St. The other burglary occurred approximately 10 minutes later at 1:44 am in the 400 block of Central Way.

Detectives say the suspects are considered armed and dangerous. You are asked to call the police non-emergency number at 425-577-5656 if you have any information about these burglaries.

UPDATE: Officers arrested the suspect last night as he was observed pulling on door handles to businesses downtown. During an interview with detectives, he confessed to all six robberies. We still urge business owners to take precautions to protect their businesses.

Investigators are urging businesses to lock up cash and post signs stating there’s no cash on the premises following six burglaries at downtown businesses from July 19-24. Detectives believe a single suspect is responsible for the break-ins. In each case, the suspect wore all-black clothing, a facemask, and a cross-body bag. He smashed in the front doors and stole cash. The suspect approached the small independent businesses along Main Street and Bellevue Way on foot between 2-3 a.m. Detectives believe he may have staged a car to flee the area.

“We urge businesses to lock up all cash, deposit it or remove it from the premises,” said Investigations Captain Joe Nault. “It’s also a good idea to prominently post that there is no cash in the business. If possible, invest in a security alarm and camera system. You don’t want to be an easy victim.”

If you have any information about these burglaries or the suspect, please call the police non-emergency number 425-577-5656 or email BPDTips@belleveuwa.gov.

Officers conducted a welfare check at an apartment in the 11100 block of NE 11th St. on Friday afternoon. When they entered the residence, they discovered three adults, two women and a man, dead of an apparent drug overdose.

“This tragic loss of life is a reminder that most drugs on the market contain deadly fentanyl,” warned Major Mark Tarantino. “Fentanyl is extremely dangerous, and a tiny amount can be deadly.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Detectives recovered four ghost-guns and discovered a 3D printer when they arrested a 24-year-old man suspected of firing shots out the window of a car in the 11600 Block NE 8^th St. on May 27, 2023. The King County Prosecutor has charged Romeo Plummer with Drive-by Shooting in connection with the incident. Luckily, no one was injured.

Investigators say Plummer was in a car with several others when there was a verbal altercation with a man at the gas station. As the car left the gas station, witnesses say Plummer fired multiple times out the window. It is unclear who or what the target was.

Bellevue detectives quickly identified the driver of the car, which led them to the suspect. While serving a search warrant at Plummer’s Seattle residence, detectives located the four ghost guns, the 3D printer, ammunition and other evidence linking Plummer to the shooting.

“Ghost guns are unregulated and untraceable. That means more and more are on the streets that nobody knows about,” stated Capt. Shelby Shearer. “That is extremely dangerous and problematic for law enforcement.”

Officers also arrested the 21-year-old driver and charges are pending against her.  

Bellevue Police and Bellevue Fire responded to three separate fires over the Fourth of July and into the weekend; at least two appear to be fireworks related. On July 5, someone used fireworks to cause extensive damage to the bathrooms at Surrey Downs Park in the 11100 Block of SE 4th St.

On July 8, someone set a fire on the roof at the Puesta Del Sol Elementary School. It’s unknown what caused that fire, but fireworks debris was located at the scene.

The third fire occurred on July 9 on the Phantom Lake Elementary School playground. The blaze destroyed the playground equipment.

“We are asking anyone who saw anything or has any information about these fires to please give us a call,” said Captain Rob Spingler. “Not only did we see tens of thousands of dollars in damage with these fires, but it’s also incredibly dangerous, and we’re lucky no one was injured.”

The region is tinder dry following a hot and dry weather stretch, which can cause fire to spread rapidly. Embers from a fire can float through the air and spark new fires far from the original incident. “We urge people to use extreme caution with any recreational fires,” cautioned Deputy Fire Chief Andy Adolfson. “We highly encourage those close to forested areas and wildlands to take preventative measures by removing brush and other combustibles from around homes and other structures.”

Anyone with any information about the three recent fires is urged to call the police non-emergency number at 425-452-6917 with any information.

Officers responded to a burglary at a business in the 15200 block of NE 20th early Wednesday morning, June 28, 2023, where a suspect had broken into a business through a pried door. He allegedly wrapped a chain around the safe and dragged it out of the business behind the stolen white truck he was driving.

Officers located the abandoned stolen truck near a dead end at 140th Ave and Main St. and recovered the safe. The suspect was not with the vehicle.

A short time later, and about five blocks away, there was a report of a stolen vehicle. A Bellevue Police K9 tracked the suspect’s travel from the recovered stolen truck to the stolen vehicle call location. Newcastle police spotted that stolen vehicle, and Bellevue officers arrived and arrested the suspect. As officers were transporting the truck to the station for a search warrant, they could see stacks of likely stolen mail.

At the same time, another officer was working on a mail theft report from Newport Hills. Some of the mail in the truck matched the address of one of those victims. The 36-year-old suspect was booked into jail on investigation of various charges, including Burglary 2, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and Theft of a Motor Vehicle. This investigation is ongoing.

Case # 23-35226

A 16-year-old male has been arrested in connection with multiple armed robberies, assault, motor vehicle theft, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was 15 years old when the crime was committed. Charges have also been referred for his 15-year-old female accomplice.

The pair is accused of robbing a 71-year-old female at gunpoint in the Bellevue Square parking garage on May 10, 2023. The investigation showed they fled to Mercer Island and allegedly robbed an 82-year-old at gunpoint two hours later. In both cases, the suspects took a wallet or purse and the victim’s cellphones. Detectives later connected the suspects to another armed robbery on Main St. in downtown Bellevue on May 20. Street cameras captured the Main St. robbery.

In addition, detectives say they stole a car and the gun used during these crimes. The male turned 16 before he was arrested.

“These two prey on unsuspecting vulnerable people, stealing their purses, wallets and cellphones, all while threatening them with a gun,” said Captain Shelby Shearer. “I’m thankful for the excellent detective work that identified these two juvenile suspects and led to their arrest. In fact, the investigation has tied these two to several other cases in the region.”

Officers recovered a stolen loaded 9mm Glock when the male suspect was arrested. He is charged with four felonies, including Robbery 1st degree and Possession of a stolen firearm.

During the investigation, Bellevue detectives uncovered evidence that the male was also the suspect in two Pierce County coffee stands armed robberies on May 9. Pierce County detectives have referred charges in those cases.

Case # 23-25410