Author: bellevuepd

Bellevue police arrested a 50-year-old Issaquah man on child molestation charges Tuesday afternoon after two victims came forward alleging inappropriate behavior. The suspect is the owner and coach at Action Athletics in the 13400 Block of SE 30^th St.

The victims accuse the coach of inappropriate touching and taking them on private outings. The victims came forward Monday evening, July 25^th with their allegations. The Bellevue police special assault unit detectives immediately began an investigation. Following lengthy interviews and evidence gathering, detectives arrested the owner/coach Tuesday evening. He was booked into jail on investigation of Child Molestation 3. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are expected.

Investigators believe there are potentially other victims as the suspect is a long-term owner of this business.  If you believe you were victimized or know anything about the case, you are encouraged to contact Bellevue police at bpdtips@bellevuewa.gov or on the Bellevue police tip line at 425-452-7853.

The suspect was booked into jail after 3:00 am Wednesday morning and according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office, will have his first appearance on Thursday.

Bellevue detectives arrested a 22-year-old Seattle man accused of several catalytic converter and package thefts in Bellevue. Dan Pham is also the suspect in many other thefts around the region.

Detectives began investigating Pham in December 2021 and referred charges to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for those cases. Pham resurfaced in May and detectives say he quickly got back to work stealing more catalytic converters. Working with the victims, investigators located video evidence depicting Pham stealing converters and packages. They developed probable cause for the crimes and arrested him at his home in Seattle.

During a search of his car, detectives located a saw, six blades and gloves matching the ones Pham was seen wearing in the video. 

The King County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Pham with three counts of Theft in the Second Degree.

Bellevue police are increasing the number of targeted operations to reduce crime in the city’s hotspots. The hotspots include stores, malls and the downtown core, where thefts and criminal activity have been on the rise. Traffic enforcement officers will also conduct high-visibility patrols in known problem areas, looking for traffic infractions, DUI and collision-causing violations. The anti-crime patrols will also include apartment complexes and neighborhoods experiencing a high number of car and catalytic converter thefts and prowls.

“Like many areas, Bellevue is seeing a rise in property crime of about 22% and we are committed to crime-fighting efforts to address these issues,” said Chief Wendell Shirley. “We are approaching this with individual anti-crime plans for each sector of Bellevue. Our patrol captains work with their teams to run these operations, including targeted stings, high visibility patrols and undercover work.”

The anti-crime initiative coincides with the department’s new Transparency and Accountability website, which tracks current crime statistics. Officers have access to regularly updated information that allows them to monitor existing and emerging hotspots. This data-driven approach allows teams to quickly adjust resources and tackle crime trends.

In the past weeks, these operations have already located and led to the arrests of prolific shoplifters, DUI drivers and wanted subjects. In addition, traffic officers have also issued over 60 citations, resulting in three arrests for outstanding warrants.

“Our officers have built relationships with businesses in their sector, and together we are working to combat the ongoing crime,” stated Chief Shirley. “We want our residents and visitors to feel safe and be safe here in Bellevue.”

Bellevue police detectives are investigating an assault at the transit center (10850 NE 6^th St) just after midnight on Sunday. A 25-year-old male suspect allegedly assaulted a 63-year-old male victim. The victim sustained critical injuries and was transported to the hospital.

Officers located and arrested the suspect 2 hours later within a few blocks of the assault. He was booked into jail. There is no known motive for the attack. The investigation is ongoing.

The transit center was closed off during the cinvestigation and has since reopened.

Case# 22-36956

Whether it’s recent neighborhood crime data, use of force incidents or information about the police department’s workforce diversity, it’s all at your fingertips on the new Bellevue Police Transparency and Accountability website. The site is designed to help strengthen trust between the police department and the community.

“We are happy to share this police data with our community members so they can become more aware of public safety issues and partner with us to develop solutions to make our community safer,” said Chief Wendell Shirley. “The public can log onto this new website and see real-time statistics and crime trends and be able to analyze the data that impacts them.”

In addition to crime statistics, the Transparency site explains use of force, breaking down each reportable incident by the level of force, the reason for contact, and the demographics of the subject and involved officer. The site also has information about diversity within the department and includes opportunities to engage with the department.

The information on the dashboards can be filtered by demographics, crimes, arrests, location and date, among other things. The crime data is refreshed every 48 hours.

“We continuously strive to earn the public’s trust and this website is another way to make a connection with our community,” Chief Shirley stated.

Detectives arrested a 43-year-old Bellevue man accused of stealing thousands of dollars of merchandise from several area stores and re-selling the product. Bellevue Police detectives, working closely with Fred Meyer loss prevention agents, apprehended Brandon Bussey when he showed up to an arranged meeting to sell some of the previously stolen merchandise.

“This is a clear example of organized retail theft,” said Major Debbie Christopherson. “This suspect would sell the merchandise he stole, and if he didn’t have what a customer wanted, he would go to the store, steal it and then sell it for profit.”

“Our detectives worked closely with loss prevention agents to identify and arrest this suspect,” Christopherson added. “We are continuing to build the case and expect to refer additional charges to the King County Prosecutor for review.”

Court documents accuse Bussey of stealing from four area Fred Meyer stores eleven times since late April. The value of the merchandise stolen is over $4,000.

Bussey was booked into jail and released on his own recognizance the following day.

This arrest comes days after the State Attorney General announced a statewide Organized Retail Crime Task Force. Bellevue Police are committed to working with other agencies to identify and arrest other suspects involved in organized retail theft.

Case # 22-32884  

A very busy mail thief suspect was arrested and booked into jail after a resident saw him on a video camera stealing his mail. Officers quickly responded to the 300 block of 109th Ave SE on Sunday, June 26th, just before 4:00 am, and located a vehicle in the area matching the description given by the victim. As officers were talking to the 33-year-old from Tacoma, they saw a large amount of mail visible in the suspect’s car.

The suspect gave officers permission to search his car, and they confiscated hundreds of pieces of mail, three US passports, 23 credit and debit cards, 16 personal checks and more, all in different names. Officers also recovered two black replica rifles.  

The suspect was arrested and booked into jail without incident.

Case # 22-34015

In a joint operation, Bellevue police and the King County Sheriff’s Office have arrested multiple suspects in dozens and dozens of car prowls, ID thefts and a robbery in the region. Bellevue detectives say Jhonny Taylor and Dominique Callier used a window punch to break into cars, stole credit cards and used them to buy or attempt to purchase gift cards. Taylor and Callier face 12 felony charges in connection with their crime spree.

Detectives were able to identify the Taylor and Callier after reviewing surveillance video after multiple cars were prowled at the Coal Creek Trail Head.

“These suspects brazenly drove into parking lots in broad daylight, punched out windows, prowled dozens of cars, then immediately went to stores to fraudulently use stolen credit cards,” said Captain Shelby Shearer. “This happened at locations all over the Puget Sound Region. And we know from their criminal history that there was a propensity for violence and that we needed to get them off the streets.”

Taylor and another suspect, Francisco Pineda, are also accused of at least ten car prowls at a trailhead in North Bend, where the pair allegedly fired four shots at the victims who interrupted a prowl. As they fled, detectives say they assaulted a woman and stole her car.

Bellevue and King County Detectives located the suspects on June 8th. When deputies arrested them, they recovered a stolen .357 revolver.  A search of Taylor’s residence netted stolen credit cards, identification and fraudulently obtained gift cards. Taylor and Pineda are charged with robbery, assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

“Working with the King County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to identify, arrest and get these suspects behind bars,” Shearer added. “We know these prowls are frightening for our residents and costly and potentially dangerous.”

A search of Callier’s residence netted stolen credit cards, multiple key fobs, victims’ ID cards and other property that was stolen during vehicle prowls.

To help prevent becoming a victim of a car prowl, you are urged never to leave valuables in your car. If you must leave items unattended, hide them before arriving at your location. Also, don’t forget to lock your doors.

Case # 22-21647

Andrew Popochock has been sworn in as the new assistant chief of the Bellevue Police Department. Popochock began his law enforcement career with Bellevue in 2003 and has served throughout the department in both the investigations and patrol divisions. His leadership has led to organizational changes that have increased the department’s efficiency while focusing on officer and community involvement in the decision-making process.

“Andrew’s experience, leadership and dedication to serving Bellevue for the past 19 years make him the right person for the job,” said Chief Wendell Shirley. “His passion and proven commitment to community policing and engagement will further strengthen our community connection.”

Popochock has most recently been the Planning, Research, and Program Management Major, a new position that focuses on law enforcement programs from a community engagement lens. These programs include the Advisory Councils, developing and deploying the Community Crisis Assistance Team pilot program, and the body-worn camera program.

“I am humbled with the opportunity to help guide Bellevue forward and will work tirelessly to ensure the safety and feeling of safety of everyone who lives, works and visits this city,” said Assistant Chief Popochock. “It is essential to me that we continue to bridge the gap between the police department and community so that everyone is recognized and included in the work we do.”

During his career, Popochock’s assignments have included Field Training Officer, SWAT Commander and Civil Disturbance Unit Commander. Prior to serving in the Planning, Research, and Program Management Division, he led the Patrol Division for over two and a half years. AC Popochock has also received four Lifesaving awards, two Commanders Awards and the Police Medal. He recently graduated from Auburn University with an Executive MBA degree and has a graduate certificate in Cybersecurity Management.

Three Bellevue police officers received the 2022 Axon Rise award, honoring them for their exemplary performance during the house slide in January. Corporal Joseph Whitaker, Officers Clayton Lyles and Michael Montgomery received recognition for entering the damaged home and rescuing the residents and their pet. View their story here.

“We are very proud of these officers who risked their own safety to ensure the homeowners got out the house safely,” said Major Mark Tarantino. ” While they would tell you it was all in a day’s work, I believe it shows our officers’ courage, dedication, and commitment to serve Bellevue.”

In early March, the public was asked to vote for the Rise Award winner. The Bellevue community rallied to ensure Corporal Whitaker and Officers Lyles and Montgomery were recognized. The trio received the award during the Axon Accelerate conference in Arizona. Axon is a network of devices, apps and people that helps public safety personnel become smarter and safer.

 Congratulations, Corporal Whitaker and Officers Lyles and Montgomery!