Bellevue police arrested four suspected purse thieves on Monday.

The theft occurred at 2:50 p.m. at the Bellevue Square Mall. According to police, the suspects fled in a car shortly after the theft.

A Bellevue police officer driving a motorcycle found the getaway car in the Newport Hills neighborhood and chased them for a short while before the suspects ditched the car near 120th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 60th Street. All four ran from the car. Three were initially caught.

Police, using the assistance of a Seattle police K-9 unit and King County’s Guardian One helicopter, found the final suspect in the yard of a residence. The residence was located in the 7100 block of 121st Ave. SE in Newcastle.

As a precaution, Ringdall and Tilicum middle schools were put on lockdown while police conducted the investigation as to the whereabouts of the last suspect. The suspect was initially hiding in the attic of the Newcastle residence and was believed to be armed.