Two 18-year-olds from Lakewood and Tacoma have been charged in Bellevue after allegedly committing a string of violent crimes.
The self-proclaimed "Kia Boys" were charged in King County Superior Court on Thursday for the crimes that took place in September. The Tacoma man was charged with five counts of first-degree robbery, one count of unlawful imprisonment and one count of possession of a stolen vehicle, according to a Bellevue Police Department news release.
The Lakewood man was charged with five counts of first-degree robbery, one count of unlawful imprisonment and one count of second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission, the release said.
Two gas stations in the Eastgate neighborhood of Bellevue were robbed on Sept. 19. During one of the robberies, the Tacoma suspect allegedly violently assaulted the clerk. He allegedly hit the clerk in the head with a gun before running off with cash and items from the store, the release said.
Shortly after the two robberies, a Bellevue Police Crime Analyst discovered four similar robberies that took place in Tukwila, SeaTac, White Center and Burien. The robberies took place on the same night as the two Bellevue robberies. Investigators believed that the same suspects were likely involved in all six robberies, the release said.
Detectives recovered a stolen Hyundai Tucson, which was one of the cars used in the robberies. Evidence from the robberies was found inside the car. Further evidence in the car helped tie the two men to the crimes, the release said.
Detectives learned that the Tacoma man was alleged to have been involved in multiple Tacoma robberies. There was one robbery on Sept. 17 where he allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim, and then stole a necklace. There was another incident on Oct. 5 in Lakewood where he allegedly stole a Kia, the release said.
The Lakewood man was a suspect in multiple felony investigations, including for possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding and an incident that took place on Sept. 12 in Lakewood. The suspect allegedly taunted a woman and her children while his associates stole her Kia minivan. Video footage captured the incident and the Lakewood man was identified as the suspect, the release said.
The Tacoma man was arrested on Dec. 2 in Pierce County. Bellevue SWAT arrested the Lakewood man at his residence on Dec. 12. More evidence was located at his home, the release said.
A $750,000 bail was set for the Tacoma suspect, and a $500,000 bail was set for the Lakewood suspect, the release said.
"These individuals terrorized our entire region, and I am very proud of the work of the many Detectives, Deputies, Officers, and Crime Analysts who worked tirelessly to make sure that these individuals were held accountable for their actions." Bellevue Chief of Police Wendell Shirley said in the release. "The residents of the entire Puget Sound region can sleep better knowing that these dangerous individuals are off the streets thanks to the hard work of law enforcement."
