Bellevue Beat Blog

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.

A stolen vehicle recovered at the Bellevue Square Mall yesterday led to the arrest of four suspects, two of whom were wanted in connection with separate felony crimes. Yesterday at 11:50 a.m., Bellevue Police Officers responded to the Bellevue Square Mall Parking garage. An observant Security Officer with the Kemper Development Company located an unoccupied stolen Kia in a parking garage. While at the scene, Officers learned from Security Officers that five suspects who had been seen in the vehicle were inside the mall. Police located the five suspects in the area, and a foot chase ensued. Officers were able to detain four out of the five suspects and placed them in custody. Three of the four suspects were juveniles, two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old. Officers recognized one of the 15-year-old juveniles as a suspect in a felony assault incident in Bellevue that occurred on September 10th in which the juvenile had allegedly threatened a female with a firearm and then fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. One juvenile was released to his mother, one was booked into the King County Youth Center for possession of a stolen vehicle, and one 20-year-old adult male was booked into the King County Jail as he was found to be in possession of credit cards that did not belong to him. Further investigation found that these credit cards had been stolen in an armed robbery earlier in the day in Tukwila. Tukwila Detectives were notified and are following up.

Bellevue Police Captain Rob Spingler, speaking about this case, stated: “Police agencies in the region and across the nation continue to see a high number of Kia and Hyundais being stolen and used in other crimes.” Spingler continues, “this case should serve as a reminder to owners of these vehicles to be sure to update their theft prevention software through the manufacturer, utilize an alarm system, or utilize a steering wheel lock.” The Bellevue Police Department will be holding two steering wheel lock giveaway events later this month. The events will be held at the following locations:

September 23    10 am – 2 pm   Bellevue Police Crossroads Substation

September 24    1 pm – 5 pm   Bellevue Police Factoria Substation

This morning at about 2:30 a.m., Bellevue Police responded to a report of a shooting that occurred at a residence in the 4100 block of 146th Ave SE in Bellevue. When Officers arrived, they located a 38 year-old female inside the residence that had been shot. The female was transported by Bellevue Medics to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition and is expected to survive. Investigators believe that someone fired several shots from outside the residence, one of which struck the victim. Bellevue Police Detectives are requesting that residents in the neighborhood check their surveillance cameras for any activity between 2 and 2:30 a.m. and provide the footage to Bellevue Police by calling 425-577-5656 or E-mail PDtipline@bellevuewa.gov. Police do not believe that this was a random shooting, and would like to reassure residents that there is no ongoing danger to the community at this time.

Earlier today, Bellevue motorcycle Officer Kevin Bereta was released from Harborview Medical Center after he was involved in a serious motorcycle crash while escorting the Vice President of the United States on August 15th. After spending over three weeks at Harborview Medical Center and undergoing several procedures for his injuries, Officer Bereta was discharged from the hospital this morning at 11:30 a.m. There was a large contingent of Bellevue Police Officers and staff present at Harborview to show their support for Officer Bereta. Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley stated: “I would like to give a huge thank-you to all those who provided messages of support for Officer Bereta, who will continue his recovery at home. I also want to recognize the Seattle Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and the many other agencies that offered their support and assistance to our police family during this difficult time.”

A fund to assist the Bereta family has been created by the Bellevue Police Foundation. Donations may be made online.

Early this morning around 2:30 a.m., Bellevue Police responded to a reported attempted carjacking on Bel-Red Road near the intersection with 156^th Avenue SE. Officers contacted the victim, who told them that he had been involved in a minor traffic collision involving a white Kia. When the victim got out of his vehicle to check for damage, two males exited the Kia, pointed pistols at the victim, and demanded his car keys. The victim did not give up his keys, and the suspects fled in the Kia. This case is similar to recent incidents in other jurisdictions in the region involving suspects causing a minor traffic collision and then attempting an armed robbery of the victim. The Bellevue Police Department offers the following tips to drivers:

Stay Alert and Aware – Always be conscious of your surroundings, especially in unfamiliar areas. Avoid distractions like texting or being engrossed in your phone while driving.

Plan Your Route – Use well-lit, populated roads, especially at night. Avoid shortcuts through alleys, deserted areas, or poorly lit streets. Avoid driving late at night if possible.

Lock Your Doors and Windows – Keep your doors locked while driving, and windows up when in unfamiliar areas. Do not exit your vehicle if you feel that it is unsafe to do so.

Trust Your Instincts – If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut feeling and take precautions. Call 9-1-1 if you need police assistance. Leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you to allow for quick maneuvers if needed.

Avoid Confrontations – If another driver becomes aggressive or confrontational or displays a firearm, do not engage or challenge. Call police as soon as possible. Your car is not worth your life.

On the morning of September 5^th at around 8:45 a.m., an adult female was walking in the Enatai Neighborhood Park located at 10661 SE 25^th St., when she was approached by a suspect holding a handgun. The suspect demanded the victim’s cell phone and fanny pack. After taking the property, the suspect ran to a green Kia driven by a second suspect and fled the area in the vehicle. Bellevue Police responded and contacted the victim, who was not injured. The Kia was abandoned and later recovered by Police in Mercer Island.

The suspect is described as a thin black male in his 20s, between 5’9” tall and 6’ tall and was wearing an olive green hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and a black bandana with a white skull image on it covering his face. The driver of the involved Kia was also wearing a black bandana with a skull image covering his face. Bellevue Detectives are investigating and have the involved vehicle, which is being processed for evidence.

Bellevue Police believe this was an isolated incident in the neighborhood, and ask all residents to be vigilant and report suspicious behavior by calling 9-1-1.

After a successful trial run in 2021, the city of Bellevue will begin deploying a Community Crisis Assistance Team to provide specialized support to people in crisis.

Made up of specially trained police officers and mental health professionals from the Fire Department’s CARES (Community Advocates for Referral and Education Services) program, the CCAT will likely mean fewer arrests and hospitalizations in Bellevue for a frequent kind of emergency call.

As the number of behavioral health calls continue to rise around the country, the city recognized the need for a more comprehensive approach than traditional responses such as arrest or hospitalization. After exploring various response models in the CCAT pilot in 2021, Police and Fire adopted a co-responder model.

Unlike standard patrol units, the CCAT is given the flexibility to invest as much time as needed to listen and problem-solve with individuals in crisis. The team then can discern whether the person in crisis would benefit most from speaking to an officer or a mental health professional. The CCAT can provide connections to relevant resources.

After the 2021 pilot showed more people diverted from jails or hospitals and a drop in the number of times force was used when the CCAT approach was used, the City Council approved funding for CCAT in the 2023-24 budget.

Image by Freepik

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.