Published September 7 2017
Less than 12 hours after a burglary early Monday, Bellevue Police arrested two suspects, thanks to teamwork and coordination by a number of officers. The suspects, juveniles, may be responsible for a local crime spree.
At 2:44 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, Bellevue police responded to a report of a burglary in the 10500 block of Cliff Place. The victim told police that she had left the windows of the residence open due to the hot weather. The suspects entered the home and stole electronics and a wallet, then stole the victim’s vehicle, which was parked in the driveway outside. The victim provided surveillance video of the suspects.
The officer distributed the video images to the Police Department in hopes that the suspects could be identified. Another officer recognized one of the suspects as a Bellevue juvenile. Officers, with the assistance of the school resource officer at Bellevue High School, took the 15-year-old suspect into custody later that day.
At the suspect's residence, police found the victim's vehicle, along with the second 15-year-old juvenile suspect, who ran away from the scene but was later arrested. Stolen property from two additional burglaries was located in the possession of one of the suspects.
Detectives interviewed the suspects, and one admitted to entering the residence through the open window and taking the items and vehicle. One of the suspects admitted to eight additional burglaries, five auto thefts and approximately 40 vehicle prowls. Both suspects were booked into the King County Youth Center and have been charged with burglary, possession of stolen property and auto theft.
Bellevue Police would like to take this opportunity to remind residents that open windows are an attractive target for burglars. Police recommend that you only leave windows open that are not accessible from the ground floor. The presence of surveillance video was extremely helpful in this case.