Published June 29 2023
A 16-year-old male has been arrested in connection with multiple armed robberies, assault, motor vehicle theft, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was 15 years old when the crime was committed. Charges have also been referred for his 15-year-old female accomplice.
The pair is accused of robbing a 71-year-old female at gunpoint in the Bellevue Square parking garage on May 10, 2023. The investigation showed they fled to Mercer Island and allegedly robbed an 82-year-old at gunpoint two hours later. In both cases, the suspects took a wallet or purse and the victim’s cellphones. Detectives later connected the suspects to another armed robbery on Main Street in downtown Bellevue on May 20. In addition, detectives say they stole a car and the gun used during these crimes. The male turned 16 while in the King County Youth Detention Center.
“These two prey on unsuspecting vulnerable people, stealing their purses, wallets and cellphones, all while threatening them with a gun,” said Captain Shelby Shearer. “I’m thankful for the excellent detective work that identified these two juvenile suspects and led to their arrest. In fact, the investigation has tied these two to several other cases in the region.”
Officers recovered a stolen loaded 9mm Glock when the male suspect was arrested. He is charged with four felonies, including Robbery 1st degree and Possession of a stolen firearm.
During the investigation, Bellevue detectives uncovered evidence that the male was also the suspect in two Pierce County coffee stands armed robberies on May 9. Pierce County detectives have referred charges in those cases.
Case # 23-25410