Published April 8 2015
A Bellevue Police investigation into a group of individuals accused of breaking into several homes and vehicles led to the arrest of four suspects on Thursday, April 2. All four suspects -- Thavy Kong, Anthony Vongxay, Jason Nhorn and Lakhina Voeuk, were booked into the King County Jail for attempted residential burglary and one count of residential burglary.
Police detectives with the Special Enforcement Team (SET) conducted surveillance on a group of suspected car prowlers and burglars on April 2. Kong and Vongxay were suspected of committing several burglaries across the Eastside. On April 2, detectives observed them travel through residential neighborhoods in Renton, at which time they attempted to burglarize one home and eventually did burglarize a second home. Detectives followed and arrested the suspects in Federal Way.
Detectives served a search warrant on the vehicle the suspects had been driving on April 3, and recovered one stolen 9mm handgun, one .380 semi-auto handgun, suspected methamphetamines and personal and financial documents and credit cards belonging to five different victims. The suspects were charged today (Wednesday, April 8) in King County Superior Court with several additional counts of identity theft second degree, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, burglary and attempted burglary.
The Bellevue Police Department's SET addresses specific types of repeat crimes with an innovative, proactive approach. The team targets prolific, active criminals in an effort to lower the overall rate of reported crime. The team conducts plain-clothes surveillance of targeted areas and surveillance of known active criminals and then coordinates with the County Prosecutor's Office to ensure that arrested suspects remain in custody. Additionally, SET works frequently with the investigative units of other agencies to help address multijurisdictional offenders.
Police Chief Steve Mylett stated: "The Bellevue Police Department will continue to go after criminals that victimize anyone in Bellevue. Our Special Enforcement Team was specifically formed to identify and apprehend these repeat offenders that target our city, no matter where they are, and the team's efforts and hard work on this case are commendable."