Bellevue Beat Blog

The Bellevue Police Department is asking community members to take extra precautions to protect themselves from becoming a victim of fraud following recent incidents where young victims wired large sums of money after receiving threats from a scammer, with one scam totaling over one million dollars.  

Any person who believes they may be a victim of a scam should report it immediately. They can do so by going to the FBI’s online tipline (https://www.ic3.gov/) or contacting Bellevue Police at 425-577-5656. 

According to police reports, victims appeared to be targeted because of their economic status. They would be contacted by phone or online by individuals claiming to be from Chinese law enforcement. The victims were told they were unknowingly participating in a fraud scheme, identity theft, or major crime incident occurring overseas or in large American cities. In one case, the scammer even claimed a person died due to the victim’s alleged scams.  

The scammers would then demand the victim forward over sensitive documents to prove their identity, including fingerprint scans, social security numbers, passport copies, and tax forms. The victims were then instructed to wire large sums of money to prevent them from being arrested or having their assets frozen.  

Law enforcement will never demand a community member pay them a sum of money in lieu of an arrest. Police agencies, including the Bellevue Police Department, only enforce state and cities laws. 

Below is a summary of recent incidents:  

December 21, 2024: A 31-year-old female wired approximately $800,000 to a scammer (posing as Chinese police) who claimed she was involved in an ongoing kidnapping and human trafficking investigation. The victim was instructed to report her location and activities in three-hour increments through the course of the scam.  

March 20, 2025: A 33-year-old female wired approximately $450,000 to a scammer (posing as Chinese police) who claimed she was a part of a fraud case and would be arrested if she did not comply. The victim was instructed to open bank and crypto accounts to wire the funds.  

April 18, 2025: A 25-year-old male wired approximately $315,800 to a scammer (posing as a Chinese judge) who claimed he was a part of an ongoing fraud scam. The victim had numerous phone calls with the scammer and even hopped on a Skype video conference. The victim later believed the video could have been created through artificial intelligence.  

May 31, 2025: A 36-year-old female wired over a million dollars to a scammer posing as Chinese police.  

Money scams are very common in Bellevue and across the nation. The Bellevue Police Department asks all of its community members to stay vigilant and look for these flags when approached by a stranger either online or by phone:  

1. They use social media to gain your trust 

2. They pretend to be from an organization that you know 

3. They say there’s a problem or a prize 

4. They pressure you to act immediately 

5. They tell you to pay in a specific way 

6. They tell you not to call police 

Earlier this year, Bellevue Police published the top five ways community members can spot a scam. The article can be found via the Bellevue Beat Blog.   

The Bellevue Police Department is asking community members in the city and across the region to help drive down serious traffic crashes involving motorcycles by practicing preventative measures that protect everyone while on the road.

This new effort comes as crashes involving a motorcycle in Bellevue have already surpassed last year’s collision numbers, including a DUI-related incident on June 3 where an impaired driver of a vehicle crashed into a motorcyclist on the 2800 block of 148th Ave NE as the motorcyclist was yielding to an ambulance. The motorcyclist was treated on scene and later taken to Overlake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The incidents in Bellevue are following a nationwide trend. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 6,335 fatal crashes involving a motorcyclist in 2023, a rate 28 times higher than fatal vehicle crashes.  

Both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers can do their part to prevent traffic crashes. The Bellevue Police Department and NHTSA recommend:

1. Complete a training class prior to motorcycle use
2. Update your state-issued license to reflect qualifications
3. Observe all traffic laws and obey speed limits
4. Do not drive while impaired
5. Avoid all distractions (including cellphone use) while on the road
6. Yield to motorcyclists while driving
7. Wear high-visibility equipment and a DOT-compliant helmet while using a motorcycle

Additionally, Bellevue Police could hold motorcyclists accountable if they are found to have engaged in dangerous and unsafe practices while traveling on the road. This includes lane splitting and lane filtering while using a motorcycle in traffic – which is against state law according to RCW 46.61.608.

Bellevue Police asks all community members to contact law enforcement should they witness a vehicle driver or a motorcyclist threatening the safety of others while on the road. Should they witness a crash, community members should always call 911.  

This weekend, the Bellevue Police Department will kick off the fourth annual “100 Safe Days of Summer” effort to prevent, intervene, and enforce impaired and distracted driving-related road incidents in Bellevue and across Washington State.

The formal launch of the summer campaign comes as Bellevue has seen a 21-percent spike in impaired-driving incidents compared to 2024. According to police data, there have been 122 DUI incidents so far in 2025, a jump from 101 impaired incidents from a similar time frame last year.

As a continuing partner of the King County Target Zero Task Force, Bellevue Police will host Washington State Patrol’s Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU) at the northwest corner of Bellevue Way NE and NE 8^th Street in Bellevue where officers will take individuals suspected of impaired driving for routine procedures used in DUI-related cases – including breath test processing and lawful blood draws and screenings. Media wishing to attend must RSVP with Drew Anderson at daanderson@bellevuewa.gov.

Bellevue Police is a part of the King County Target Zero Task Force, a collaboration from stakeholders such as law enforcement, city/regional/state/tribal governments, community organizations, and schools to create equitable traffic safety programs that would reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities across King County. It is also part of the city of Bellevue’s Vision Zero initiative, adopted in 2016, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious-injury collisions on city streets by 2030. Enforcing traffic laws and educating people about the danger of driving under the influence are part of Bellevue’s Safe System approach to road safety and keeping the city a safe place to live, work, and visit.

DUI and impaired-driving arrests are always preventable. The Bellevue Police Department urges residents to take advantage of many other options to ensure a safe ride home and a safe community – including taking public transit, ridesharing opportunities available on smartphones, carpooling and vanpooling, walking, or calling a friend or family member.

The Bellevue Police Department announced the agency made eight arrests and issued approximately 300 tickets to motorists during the agency’s speeding emphasis for the month of May.  

The effort comes as the department saw a 163-percent increase in speeding tickets prior to the emphasis and a fatal traffic crash on May 2 where speed was determined to be a factor. Bellevue Police will continue these efforts and hold individuals accountable for unsafe driving practices. 

“Bellevue Police’s speeding emphasis sends a strong message. The safety of this community is our top priority, and we will do everything within our law enforcement authority to safeguard that,” said Wendell Shirley, Bellevue Police Chief.  

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, there have been about 1,970 speeding-related fatalities over the last decade. This includes about 411 speeding-related fatalities in King County during that time frame and 42 speeding-related fatal and serious injury crashes in Bellevue from 2014-2023. A 2024 survey by the Commission also found that only about 29% of all drivers reported to have never driven more than 10 mph over the speed limit. 

Bellevue Police continue to ask community members to report speeding, reckless driving, street racing, or vehicles traveling with a modified muffler by calling either the non-emergency line (425-577-5656) or emailing bellevuepd@bellevuewa.gov. Community members should provide the make, model, color of vehicle and license plate number when reporting infractions to law enforcement. 

Bellevue Police Department will continue to work in collaboration with the Washington State Patrol and other neighboring agencies to address reckless driving and other incidents impacting the city of Bellevue.  

About $13,000 in gift cards were provided in exchange for 87 firearms during last Saturday’s inaugural firearms exchange event hosted by the Bellevue Police Department.

Saturday’s exchange event gave community members the opportunity to turn over their unused firearms in exchange for a gift card provided by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. Each individual had to show proof of residency in either Bellevue or King County in order to participate in the program.

Bellevue Police held this exchange in an attempt to prevent future firearm incidents across King County. For example, investigators confirmed the suspects involved in the strong-armed robbery case from January 10 used stolen firearms to commit their crimes in Bellevue. The department also believes this event will contribute meaningfully to community safety by reducing the risk of accidental discharges, theft, or misuse of unsecured firearms.

“We often say ‘it all counts’ in law enforcement, and the impact of Saturday’s firearm exchange is paramount to our ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and strengthen community safety through prevention,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of the Bellevue Police Department.

The Bellevue Police Department will now explore dates for a future firearm exchange event. Any additional opportunities will be posted on the department’s social media handles (@BVuePD) or on the Bellevue Beat Blog.

The Bellevue Police Department announced the agency has made three arrests following racing and eluding incidents that endangered community members’ safety.

The arrests occurred during Bellevue Police’s speeding emphasis for the month of May. The effort comes as the agency saw a 163-percent increase in speeding tickets and a fatal traffic crash on May 2 where speed was determined to be a factor.

Whether it’s speeding, driving under the influence of a substance, or using modified mufflers, Bellevue Police will continue to hold individuals accountable for jeopardizing the city’s ability to be a safe place to live, work, and visit.

Below is a read out of the recent arrests:

On Friday, May 23, at approximately 10:06 p.m., Bellevue Police arrested an 18-year-old male after he and four other motorcyclists allegedly traveled at approximately 120 mph in a 35-mph speed zone, which occurred on the 700 block of 148^th Ave SE. Responding officers determined the motorcyclists were participating in street racing. The 18-year-old was arrested for street racing and booked into SCORE. The motorcycle was also impounded to the Bellevue Police Department.

On Friday, May 23, at approximately 9:41 p.m., law enforcement observed a motorcycle traveling southbound on Factoria Boulevard SE near the intersection of SE 38^th Street. The suspect, an 18-year-old male, was using a modified muffler on his vehicle. The male allegedly eluded Bellevue Officers several times over the course of the night and was last seen traveling on I-405 at over 120 mph. Washington State Patrol Troopers found the suspect underneath an I-5 overpass on Lakeview Boulevard where he was arrested for eluding police and reckless driving. He was booked into the King County Jail.

On Monday, May 26, at approximately 12:57 p.m., Bellevue Officers detained a 16-year-old juvenile on the 2500 block of 152^nd Avenue. Law enforcement had previously developed probable cause for the juvenile who was driving a vehicle (a black Infiniti) connected to a street racing vehicle group. According to multiple police reports, the juvenile allegedly eluded law enforcement and drove recklessly across Bellevue many times. He was booked in the King County Youth Detention Center.

Bellevue Police continue to ask community members to report speeding, reckless driving, street racing, or vehicles traveling with a modified muffler by calling either the non-emergency line (425-577-5656) or emailing bellevuepd@bellevuewa.gov. Community members should provide the make, model, color of vehicle and license plate number when reporting infractions to law enforcement.

Bellevue Police Department will continue to work in collaboration with the Washington State Patrol and other neighboring agencies to address reckless driving and other incidents impacting the city of Bellevue.

The Bellevue Police Department asked community members this week to be “stranger aware” this summer and take preventative measures that would protect themselves from jewelry theft incidents.  

Last summer, a string of theft incidents occurred when suspects – typically two or more individuals – would randomly approach the victims in public and ask for assistance. After the victims complied, one suspect would express gratitude by offering the victims jewelry and either a hug or handshake. That was when the suspect would use the gesture to quickly yank expensive jewelry off the victims before jumping back in the vehicle and allowing the second suspect to speed away from the incident. 

According to data compiled from last year’s incidents, here are the typical phrases and actions Bellevue community members should look for if a random stranger approaches them in public:  

The Bellevue Police Department asks all community members to use caution when being approached by strangers in vehicles and follow these simple guidelines: 

1. Travel in groups 

2. Do not approach a stranger’s vehicle

3. Use caution when talking with a stranger 

4. Provide distance between a stranger and yourself during a conversation 

5. Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings 

Bellevue Police ask community members to contact law enforcement should they feel like their safety is at risk. And should they become a victim of a crime, they should call 911 when it is safe to do so. 

The Bellevue Police Department announced today the agency would begin conducting a speeding emphasis across the city following a crash on Friday, May 2 which killed an 18-year-old individual.

Starting each weekend and running through the month, Bellevue Police’s Traffic Unit will have dedicated officers that will focus squarely on reducing speeding incidents and events that encourage street racing in the city. This city-wide effort aims to address concerns from many community members who have contacted law enforcement about speeding incidents they’ve witnessed or heard in their neighborhoods.

Bellevue Police officers will issue tickets to motorists who are speeding or driving a vehicle with a modified muffler – which increases the noise of the vehicle. Motorists who are driving recklessly or racing other vehicles may be arrested or criminally cited for these dangerous actions on the roadway.

The Bellevue Police Department has already begun to address the community’s speeding concerns. Compared to last year, the agency has seen a 163% increase in citations for speeding infractions across the city – issuing 998 speeding tickets so far from January to April 2025. 380 speeding tickets were issued from January to April 2024.

Speeding is not only dangerous for the driver, but it also jeopardizes the safety of everyone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates it takes a vehicle traveling at over 60 mph about 100 yards – the length of a football field from goal line to goal line – to reach a complete stop. The distance dramatically increases to about 460 feet if vehicle speeds exceed 80 mph.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, there have been about 1,728 speeding-related fatal crashes in the state since 2014. This includes about 353 speeding-related fatal crashes in King County during that time frame and 42 speeding-related fatal and serious injury crashes in Bellevue from 2014-2023. A 2024 survey by the Commission also found that only about 29% of all drivers reported to have never driven more than 10 mph over the speed limit.

Bellevue Police ask community members to continue to report speeding, reckless driving, participating in street racing, or vehicles traveling with a modified muffler by calling either the non-emergency line (425-577-5656) or emailing bellevuepd@bellevuewa.gov. Community members should provide the make, model, color of vehicle and license plate number when reporting infractions to law enforcement.

The Bellevue Police Department released the following update below about the traffic crash Friday evening which closed the intersection of NE 8^th Street and 116^th Ave NE:

At approximately 9:40 p.m. on Friday, May 2, Bellevue Police and Fire were dispatched to reports of a traffic crash at the intersection of NE 8^th Street and 116^th Ave NE. Initial reports from community members indicated a motorcyclist collided with another vehicle. Through a preliminary investigation, Bellevue Police was able to confirm the motorcyclist, an 18-year-old male, was traveling northbound on 116^th Ave NE at a high rate of speed. He then crashed into another vehicle that was heading westbound through the intersection.

Bellevue Fire attempted live-saving procedures for the motorcyclist, but the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Additionally, the driver of the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The intersection was closed during Bellevue Police’s initial investigation but has now been reopened to the public. The investigation into this crash is still ongoing. Any new information about the incident will be published via the Bellevue Beat Blog.

The Bellevue Police Department arrested a 52-year-old male on Monday following a road rage incident in which the suspect used racial slurs and pointed a firearm at a mother and two juveniles.

On Monday, April 28 at approximately 10:03 a.m., Bellevue Police was dispatched to multiple reports of a disturbance on the 3700 block of Factoria Boulevard SE. Officers learned upon arrival that three victims – a 35-year-old female and two juveniles – were hiding inside a local business with the male suspect, Kelly Bailey, standing outside possessing a firearm.

Bellevue Police quickly responded and detained the suspect. Officers interviewed the three victims, Mr. Bailey, and multiple witnesses following the incident. Officers also reviewed video footage and determined the following:

At 10:00 a.m., the 35-year-old victim (driver) and the suspect were involved in a near-miss crash at the intersection of Factoria Boulevard SE and SE 38^th Street.

According to interviews with the victims, Kelly Bailey proceeded to follow them to a nearby gas station and allegedly yelled racial slurs, withdrew his firearm from his holster, and made threats to kill the victims. The mother and juveniles exited the vehicle and fled into the gas station where one of the juveniles called 911. Multiple witnesses also called Bellevue Police and, through interviews with officers on scene, confirmed some of the information provided by the victims.

Kelly Bailey was arrested and booked in the King County Jail for the following crimes:

Harassment Threat to Kill, One Count

Hate Crime, One Count

Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley expressed his gratitude for those community members who called 911, which allowed our officers to respond quickly, detain, and ultimately arrest the suspect.  

This is an ongoing investigation. Bellevue Police ask any community member who may have more information about this incident to contact law enforcement immediately. They can do so by calling the BPD non-emergency line at 425-577-5656 or emailing the department at bellevuepd@bellevuewa.gov.

If community members witness or experience a hate crime, Bellevue Police recommend they get to a safe place and report the incident by calling 911. They can also report crimes online at www.bellevuewa.gov/police.