Multiple Eastside agencies are trying to pin down a suspect wanted for connections to at least six armed robberies in Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond.
Police pulled evidence from the various locations — three Subways, two Batteries Plus stores and a Hotbox Smoke Shop.
The first robbery was on Oct. 5. The latest crime happened in Kirkland on Nov. 24, the Sunday before the Thanksgiving holiday. The incidents have mostly occurred in the late evening hours, the earliest occurring at 7 p.m. and the latest happening before 10 p.m. And the majority have taken place on the weekend.
The six robberies are: Oct. 5 at Hotbox Smoke Shop, 3800 Factoria Boulevard Southeast, Bellevue; Oct. 8 at Batteries Plus, 12318 Southeast 38th Street, Bellevue; Nov. 3 at Subway, 12620 Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland; Nov. 7 at Batteries Plus, 14917 Northeast 20th Street, Bellevue; Nov. 10 at Subway, 22310 Northeast Marketplace, Redmond; Subway, 11612 124th Avenue Northeast, Kirkland.
In each of the six robberies, the suspect entered the store, displayed a gun and demanded cash from the employee. Many of the crimes have been captured on footage and is under review by police agencies. Video captured of the Nov. 3 robbery shows a man completely clothed walk in, head directly for an employee who is sitting down, and directs him over to the register. It takes about a minute for the suspect to leave the building, cash in hand.
Police believe it’s been the same suspect traveling to the different robbery locations, based on certain distinguishing characteristics. The culprit was wearing bright white sunglasses, tall and slender. He covered his entire body with clothing, and wore rubber gloves on his hands.
“He is fully clothed, pulls a mask over his face and tries to disguise his identity the best he can,” said Meeghan Black, spokesperson for the Bellevue Police Department. She added that the suspect’s disguise is an obstacle to tracking him down.
Witnesses have described the suspect as a white male, between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 2 inches in height. He’s estimated to weigh anywhere from 170 to 200 pounds and has a slender body type.
“Anybody who thinks they might know him, heard someone perhaps told someone, anyone any info about someone near the business near the time and date, please contact us,” Black said.
People with information leading to the suspect are asked to call the Bellevue Police tip line at 425-452-2564 or email tips to PDtipline@bellevuewa.gov.