Bellevue Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying juveniles who deliberately drove into a bicyclist Saturday evening in Bellevue.
At approximately 8:22 p.m. on Saturday evening, Officers responded to an incident on the 9500 block of Lake Washington Boulevard NE where witnesses described a silver Hyundai Elantra full of juveniles allegedly drive the vehicle into the bike lane and hit a random bystander – a 13-year-old victim – who was riding home from a nearby park.
Witnesses told the responding Officer it appeared the juveniles in the vehicle deliberately targeted and swerved into the victim. The preliminary investigation also revealed Officers learned the juveniles in the vehicle threw a black Puma shoe at the bicyclist and screamed at the victim prior to the incident.
The bicyclist was transported to Overlake Hospital where they were treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. They were released the same day. The bicycle was also severely damaged.
The driver of the vehicle was described as a young female with short black hair. There were additional suspects in the vehicle, but witnesses could not provide descriptions of them. The silver Hyundai Elantra was reported to have a red/black sunshade.
Bellevue Police are asking any resident or potential witness to come forward and contact law enforcement if they saw the incident or remember seeing a silver Hyundai Elantra in Bellevue around the 8:00 p.m. timeframe. Any descriptions of the suspects are essential to holding the juveniles accountable for Assault 2nd Degree and Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree crimes. They can contact law enforcement by dialing 425-577-5656 or emailing Detective Jeff Disney at jdisney@bellevuewa.gov.
Today, Bellevue Police started an investigation into an incident where witnesses heard shots fired overnight in the City’s Ashwood neighborhood.
At approximately 9:39 a.m., Bellevue Police Officers responded to reports of multiple bullet casings found on the 1900 block of 108th Avenue. According to witnesses, the sound of multiple gunfire shots were heard at approximately 12:20 a.m. overnight. However, no description of the suspects or the vehicle used were made available to law enforcement.
Multiple rounds of bullet cartridge casings were found by Officers and witnesses on 108th Avenue prior to and during the preliminary investigation. Additionally, one bullet was found inside one residence after it entered through a glass pane on the front entry. No one was injured during the overnight incident.
The Bellevue Police Department is continuing a thorough investigation of this case and additional information is forthcoming. Bellevue Police ask residents to contact law enforcement at 425-577-5656 if they have any information about last night’s incident.
A suspect was arrested Wednesday evening following a series of burglaries within a 24-hour period at a Newport Shores neighborhood residence while homeowners were traveling overseas.
At approximately 2:50 p.m., Bellevue Police Officers responded to an ongoing burglary at the 3600 block of Lake Washington Blvd SE. Upon arrival, law enforcement witnessed two suspects – a 43-year-old male (first suspect) and another middle-aged male (second suspect) – were in the process of allegedly stealing merchandise from the residence – including a safe with over $100,000 inside. The second suspect and driver of a black BMW car saw responding Officers and immediately fled the scene – colliding and causing minor damage to the Officer’s vehicle.
Images of damage to the Bellevue Police Department vehicle
The first suspect and driver of a black Chevy Avalanche also attempted to elude law enforcement, however, the vehicle became stuck between a tree and the Officer’s vehicle. This prompted the suspect to flee Officers and run southbound onto Lake Washington Blvd SE. Bystanders informed Officers the first suspect drove off from the area in a box truck with no license plates attached. Bellevue Officers were soon able to find and arrest the suspect while driving on an Interstate-90 onramp.
Image of the box truck used by suspects during Wednesday’s incident.
The first suspect was arrested for Residential Burglary, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Hit and Run Unattended Vehicle charges. The Chevy Avalanche used in the incident was previously reported stolen.
A further investigation by Officers connected Wednesday’s case to one from Tuesday at the very same residence. This case began at approximately 8:44 p.m. in the evening where suspects matching the descriptions of Wednesday’s suspects allegedly broke into this residence and took a safe with paperwork inside, jewelry, and a Yeti cooler.
For both incidents, Officers noticed the suspects did not conduct any forced entry with an alarm system engaged and all doors of the residence locked.
So how did the suspects gain entry? According to police reports, the victim – a 64-year-old male – parked his black BMV at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport just before his overseas trip. It was there where the vehicle was allegedly stolen. The suspects then used the victim’s garage door remote to open the garage door and enter the property. Since the incident, the victim has reported the BMW as stolen.
The Bellevue Police Department continues this investigation due to the second suspect remaining at large. Any updates on this case are forthcoming.
Additionally, law enforcement urges the public to take some simple precautions to prevent someone from trespassing your home using a garage door remote:
Don’t leave your remote in your vehicle
Purchase a key chain opener/remote
Secure the emergency release on the door
Lock the door from your garage – preferably deadbolt
Officers Kevin Bereta, Jordan Jackson, and 50 other members of the Bellevue Police Department received honors during its annual Awards and Promotions Ceremony – an event recognizing Officers, professional staff, and everyday citizens for their service to the Department and the City of Bellevue.
Specifically, Officers Bereta and Jackson received Bellevue Police’s Blue Star Medal Award. This honor is given to Officers who either make the ultimate sacrifice or are severely injured while serving on duty.
Officer Bereta received the honor for an incident on August 15. While serving as Vice President Kamala Harris’s motorcade detail, Bereta sustained life-threatening injuries after falling off an Interstate-5 on ramp and onto I-5 southbound traffic. Thanks to quick work by bystanders and other Officers on duty, Bereta’s life was saved. Bereta was joined by family to receive this award.
Officer Jackson posthumously received this honor following an incident on November 21, 2022. While out on patrol, a driver pulled out in front of Jackson causing a collision that ultimately took his life. Helen Taylor – Jordan’s mother – received this honor on behalf of Officer Jackson.
Image of Assistant Chief Andrew Popochock handing Officer Jordan Jackson’s family with the Bellevue Police Department’s Blue Star Medal Award
The Department’s Ceremony also recognized the selfless acts of two citizens who demonstrated acts of bravery and provided exceptional support and assistance to the Department. The following citizens received the Department’s Citizen Law Enforcement Merit Award:
Tyler Greinke: Mr. Greinke came to Officer Bereta’s aid moments after he fell 50 feet from the Interstate-5 off-ramp. Tyler was driving southbound on I-5, got out of his vehicle, and kept Bereta conscious and alert until responding Officers and EMTs arrived. Tyler later said he did this because he’d like to think someone would do that for him or his family.
Randy Pehl: Mr. Pehl is a Security Officer for Kemper Development Company Security. Randy provided Bellevue Police key intelligence that was used to identify, track, and arrest individuals who were connected to a large, organized theft ring primarily targeting LuluLemon stores along the West Coast.
Images of the Bellevue Police Department’s 2024 Awards and Promotions Ceremony
Additionally, more than 50 Officers and staff received various awards for their service to the Bellevue Police Department.
“Officers and professional staff take great pride in representing the City of Bellevue and the residents who live, work, and visit this great community,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of the Bellevue Police Department. “This Ceremony serves as a ‘thank you’ for their hard work and dedication to the Department, because it’s this work that strengthens the positive partnerships we have with residents in every neighborhood across the city.”
Honorees either received the Meritorious Service Award (honors Officers and Department employees who performed a police service that required exceptional performance in a difficult assignment, investigation, or arrest), the Lifesaving Award (honors Officers and Department employees who acted within law and department policy, a manner saving or prolonging another person’s life, saved a person’s life when they were in peril, or directly assisted in the delivery of a child), the Commanders Award (recognizes a person’s superior performance by other colleagues), or annual awards recognizing the best Sergeant, Officer, Detective, and Civilian within the Department.
Officers and professional staff received the following honors:
Blue Star Medal
Officer Jordan Jackson Officer Kevin Bereta
Citizen Law Enforcement Merit Award
Tyler Greinke Randy Pehl
Meritorious Service Award
Records Supervisor Kristina Galloway Sergeant Benjamin Buck Sergeant Justin Chaput Officer Jeffrey Borsheim Officer Paul Dill Detective Rachel Neff Officer Tyler Cornmesser Officer Jarod Jones Sergeant Michael Shovlin
Lifesaving Award
Sergeant Badreddine Mala Officer Alison Taylor Officer Matthew Garner Officer Brad Knudtsen Officer Oscar Rodriguez-Melendrez
Commanders Award
Detective Alex Slusser Sergeant Marc Halsted Sergeant Tai Wotherspoon Officer Craig Hanaumi Officer Ben Bradley Officer Spencer Smith Sergeant Michael Shovlin Sergeant David Rivera Detective Doug Brennan Officer Bryan Hershberger Sergeant Casey Hiam Forensic Examiner Aleah Moe Sergeant Leo Ramos Sergeant James Brack Sergeant Robin Peacey Detective Brian Daggett Detective Chad Cummings Detective Robert Welty Officer Daniel Perrine Officer Sarah Velling Officer Ryan Lambert Officer Raphael Park Officer Anthony Felder Officer Larry Perriera Support Specialist Heather McGrath Support Officer Darlene Wallace Officer Kealii Akahane Officer Seth Tyler Crime Prevention Officer Ruby Daly Officer Andrew Kruczko Officer Ashley Pacheco Officer Brian Connor Captain Shelby Shearer Sergeant Jeff Disney Sergeant Benjamin Buck Detective Jeffrey Christiansen Detective Michael Dolce Detective Alex Slusser Detective Robert Fujita Detective Kareem Khoury Detective Ashley Elliott Detective Bonnie Basile Detective Zhong Zhu Detective Douglas Brennan Corporal Denzel Kankam Officer Craig Hanaumi
Employee Recognition
2023 – Sergeant of the Year – Tony Romero 2023 – Officer of the Year – Craig Hanaumi 2023 – Investigator of the Year – Ray Lofink 2023 – Civilian of the Year – Shawna Gibson
Today, the Bellevue Police Department announced the additional arrest of 73-year-old Robert Scroggs after a thorough investigation was made into the teacher’s relationships with students during his tenure with the Bellevue School District.
Similar to the previous case, the teacher allegedly touched the victim – a 9-year-old female – inappropriately during class. The incident occurred during the time Scroggs filled-in as substitute teacher for Newport Heights Elementary School from January to April 2024.
The additional arrest for Child Molestation of the 1st Degree was made at approximately 8:00 a.m. on June 24. This is now the second time Scroggs has been arrested for Child Molestation of the 1st Degree, with the first occurring on June 7 at approximately 3:10 p.m.
The Department praises Bellevue residents for collaborating with law enforcement on this matter. Numerous tips and the investigation from Officers led to this additional arrest.
However, theBellevue Police Department urges anyone who still may have information on these cases or other potential cases to come forward and contact the Bellevue Police Department by dialing the NORCOM non-emergency line 425-577-5656. Victims may also contact Detective Sergeant Brenda Johnson at: Bjohnson@bellevuewa.gov.
“In law enforcement, we often preach ‘when you see something, say something.’ Thanks to our partnership with residents and the Bellevue community, Officers were able to hold accountable an individual for committing heinous crimes on some of our most vulnerable,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of the Bellevue Police Department. “Let this serve as an example to everyone that if someone doubts your safety or well-being to contact law enforcement immediately.”
The Bellevue Police Department will continue to provide updates about this case should any new information come forward.
The Bellevue Police Department is asking residents to stay vigilant and exercise caution when communicating with strangers following a series of recent street thefts that targeted older individuals across Bellevue.
The string of incidents occurred when two suspects – a young female and a young male – randomly approached the victims for assistance. After the victims helped the suspects, the female suspect would express gratitude by offering the victims jewelry and either a hug or handshake. The female suspect would then use the gesture to quickly yank jewelry off the victims – items that are high value – before jumping back in the vehicle, allowing the male suspect to speed away from the incident.
The incidents are as follows:
On June 25 at approximately 8:24 p.m., Bellevue Police responded to a call on the 13800 block of SE 44th Street. The victim – a 91-year-old male – informed Officers the female suspect approached him from a white SUV while he was checking his mail earlier that evening. He claimed he thought she was asking for directions as she extended her hand his way. The victim attempted to provide the suspect a handshake, and it was then when the suspect allegedly yanked his Rolex watch from his wrist. The victim sustained several cuts from the incident, and the suspects drove away with the stolen jewelry.
A similar case occurred on June 19. At approximately 6:03 p.m., Officers responded to a call on the corner of 124th Avenue NE and NE 2nd Street where a victim – a 71-year-old female – had her Rolex watch yanked from her wrist after helping an individual with directions. Similar to the incident yesterday, two suspects traveling in a white SUV stopped and asked the victim for help. The victim complied and after helping the suspects, the female suspect offered jewelry and asked for a handshake as a “thank you.” It was at this time that the suspect allegedly yanked the watch from the victim’s wrist before the driver (male suspect) quickly sped away.
Screenshot of the white SUV involved in the series of street theft incidents across Bellevue.
And on June 17 at approximately 11:34 a.m., two victims – a 68-year-old female and a 78-year-old male – were stopped at the corner of 108th Avenue NE and NE 2nd Place by the two suspects driving in a black sedan. Speaking in a different language to the victims, the driver (male suspect) made gestures as if a female passenger was pregnant and needed to get to the hospital. After the victim provided directions, the female suspect exited the vehicle, handed the victims jewelry, and provided them what appeared to be a hug in gratitude. It was then when the suspect allegedly unzipped the female victim’s jacket and ripped off her gold chain necklace. Before the victim was even aware a theft occurred, the suspects sped off.
Screenshot of the black SUV involved in the street theft incident on June 17, 2024.
Victims from all three incidents did not sustain any serious physical injuries. However, the Bellevue Police Department asks all residents – particularly older individuals – to use caution when being approached by strangers in vehicles and follow simple guidelines that parents often share with their young children:
Travel in groups
Do not approach the vehicles
Do not accept gifts from strangers
Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings
Most of all, Bellevue Police asks residents to call law enforcement should they feel their safety or well-being is in jeopardy.
A robbery in Bellevue appears to be connected to a larger crime spree across the Eastside.
At approximately 2:48 a.m. this morning, Bellevue Police Officers responded to a robbery at the Arco Midlakes located at the 11600 black on NE 8th Street. The victim told Officers two male suspects – one wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and a mask and the other wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and a mask – came into the store, threatened the victim with a possible firearm, and allegedly demanded cash from the register and any other cash kept in the store.
The victim then told Bellevue Officers the suspects grabbed the money from both cash registers, and then allegedly stole more items from the shelves and refrigerators in the store – including vapes, torches, cigars, and drinks. Cash and items were stolen from the gas station. The suspects fled the scene using a red 2021 Kia sedan, which was previously reported stolen in Bellevue.
Officers then initiated a vehicle pursuit due to the nature of the crime and the fact that the suspects were an immediate danger to the overall public. At one point during the chase, the suspects intentionally attempted to ram Officers from another agency with the stolen car. Officers lost sight of the vehicle due to the reckless driving of the suspects.
Additionally, Officers with the Clyde Hill Police Department, Medina Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Renton Police Department, Tukwila Police Department, and Washington State Patrol were all involved to various degrees with the pursuit and subsequent incidents across the Eastside. The suspects also may have possibly switched vehicles and fled in a white Hyundai SUV – which was later found abandoned in Renton.
While the incident continues to be investigated by Bellevue Police, the Department commends the quick actions by the victim at the start of the crime. While it is unclear if the suspects were armed, adhering to the suspects’ demands may have saved the victim’s life. Any person who is threatened in this manner must always remember to put their lives ahead of their possessions, and then immediately contact law enforcement following an incident. The victim involved in Tuesday morning’s incident did just that.
The Bellevue Police Department asks any individual who may have more information about the incident Tuesday morning to call law enforcement.
The Bellevue Police Department is asking residents for help with an ongoing investigation following the arrest of a teacher who allegedly molested a minor at Newport Heights Elementary School.
The suspect – 73-year-old Robert Scroggs – is a long-time special education teacher for the Bellevue School District – working recently for the elementary school’s special-needs department from January to April 2024. Scroggs’s history of employment and the possibility of more victims is why the Bellevue Police Department urges anyone who has information on this case or other potential cases to come forward and contact the Bellevue Police Department by dialing 9-1-1 or the NORCOM non-emergency line 425-577-5656. Victims may also contact Detective Sergeant Brenda Johnson at: Bjohnson@bellevuewa.gov.
On June 6 at approximately 1:34 p.m., school officials contacted Bellevue Police after a parent reported her eight-year-old child had been sexually assaulted by the suspect.
According to police reports, the parent informed the school Scroggs would often take the victim out of class to address the child’s social, emotional, and behavioral issues. It was there where Scroggs would allegedly molest the minor.
The parent learned about the sexual assault after the victim spoke with the parent about the incidents – naming the suspect directly in the conversation.
The Bellevue Police Department arrested Robert Scroggs at approximately 3:10 p.m. on Friday, June 7 for Child Molestation 1st Degree. He was booked in the King County Jail. Additionally, the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and Child Protective Services have been notified and referred to this case.
It’s crucial to note Bellevue Police are withholding the name of the minor involved in this case as required by law and to maintain the integrity of the investigation. The Bellevue Police Department takes allegations of this nature very seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community – especially children.
A 59-year-old woman was arrested for hate crime charges for allegedly harassing two Asian residents at Wilburton Park in Bellevue this past weekend.
At approximately 9:30p.m. on Friday, The Bellevue Police Department responded to a call at the 12400 block of Main Street where the suspect allegedly targeted two victims based on their race. According to reports, the suspect began following the victims – a 49-year-old Asian female and a 49-year-old Asian male – through Wilburton Park, and then proceeded to scream derogatory phrases toward them specifically about their Asian heritage. The harassment then escalated when the suspect made apparent threats to kill the victims.
The entire incident lasted for about five minutes, however, the victims informed Bellevue Police the threats made against them left them feeling unsafe as they were unsure if the suspect would carry out the threats.
Bellevue Officers determined probable cause that the suspect’s harassment toward the victims were, in fact, due to their Asian heritage and a threat to the victims and arrested her for two counts of Hate Crime Offenses toward other individuals.
Hate crimes are not always physical, but in some cases conducted as forms of verbal harassment. In the view of Bellevue Police, the victims provided a great example of what to do should anyone’s safety feel jeopardized: call law enforcement. Any individual who feels like their safety is at risk and is being targeted due to their race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity should dial 9-1-1.
“The City of Bellevue is a safe community, but crime does happen – including hate crimes. However, the quick actions by residents and law enforcement ensured that the suspect was held accountable,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of the Bellevue Police Department. “I want to be clear: there is zero tolerance for anyone who attempts or is found to commit hate crimes in this community.”
A Bellevue Police Detective earned Kemper Development Company Security’s Meritorious Service Award in May for the operation that caught and jailed a West Coast organized retail theft ring responsible for stealing more than $537,000 worth of merchandise from retail stores across Western Washington.
The Meritorious Service Award recognizes an individual for providing exceptional performance during a complex case investigation over a prolonged period of time. Detective Jeff Christiansen earned this honor after successfully conducting a long-term investigation in collaboration with Kemper Development Company Security and retail stores affected by the theft operation.
The effort was so successful that retail investigators stated no large-scale organized theft crimes have occurred in the northwest region at the previously affected stores since law enforcement arrested the individuals on April 9, 2024.
As previously reported on the Bellevue Beat Blog, 19-year-old Reality Leavens, 23-year-old Janeice Downs, and 49-year-old Janeice Wiley were alleged to have committed documented retail thefts on at least 42 occasions in stores located in Southern California, Northern Oregon, and Western Washington. The theft ring primarily targeted LuluLemon stores.
Detective Christiansen, in coordination with colleagues within the Bellevue Police Department, Kemper Development Company Security, and retail investigators, reviewed dozens of theft cases involving this theft ring from Bellevue and other law enforcement agencies throughout western Washington. Christiansen then connected the stolen merchandise to the stores, the cars the suspects drove (often times without the license plates attached), and hours of security video from the stores in order to establish proof of involvement in every single case linked to the overall operation.
Christiansen’s work then escalated to additional collaboration with the King County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Unit and local judges to obtain multiple search warrants that would be used to recover electronic evidence geo-locating the suspects to the crime scenes from each individual operation. This work also led police to locate additional stolen property and three firearms during an executed search warrant and arrest of the suspects on April 9.
Downs is still in custody at the King County Jail and has been charged with Organized Retail Theft in King County, Pierce County, and Multnomah County (Oregon). The investigation is ongoing to locate and arrest additional now-identified accomplices of Downs.
“Detective Jeff Christiansen is a shining example of the work Bellevue Police accomplish to maintain the city as a safe place to work, play, and live. Without Detective Christiansen’s leadership and meticulous and collaborative efforts, this organized theft ring would no doubt be still committing these crimes today,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of the Bellevue Police Department. “Justice has rightfully been served, and Bellevue Police once again demonstrate that should you commit crimes in Bellevue, be prepared to be held accountable.”
“This case highlights the critical partnership between retailers, security officers, police investigators, and prosecutors. We cannot be successful without active, on-going communication and information sharing with each other,” said Carl Kleinknecht, Director of Security for Kemper Development Company. “We appreciate the relationship we have with our partners at the Bellevue Police Department.”
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