Issaquah Man Swipes $50K In Jewels, But Leaves Behind Major Clue

BELLEVUE, WA - It was almost the perfect crime.

A local man spent an hour in a Bellevue jewelry store at the Factoria Mall recently looking at engagement rings. With $50,000 in jewelry laid out on the counter in front of him, he grabbed the items and ran out the door, tumbling out onto the street never to be seen again, just like D. B. Cooper.

There was just one problem. He somehow managed to drop his health insurance card at the scene, giving police just about every piece of personal information possible.

The Bellevue SWAT team rolled up to his house in Issaquah and knocked on the door. Within minutes, he was in cuffs, and police recovered all the jewelry.

Here are other recent incidents from the Bellevue police blotter:

February 25

Theft, 700 block of Bellevue Way Northeast - The suspect and another unknown female entered the store together. The suspect was seen stealing two coats worth $375. The suspect was apprehended and booked into jail.

Warrant/drug paraphernalia, 16400 block of Southeast Eastgate Way - An Officer two individuals in a vehicle near a trailhead. The passenger had misdemeanor warrants out of Federal Way and Bellevue. When she exited the vehicle drug paraphernalia was found. Additionally, she lied about her name. The suspect was booked on her warrants and charges were forwarded to the prosecutor for possession of drug paraphernalia and making false statements to police.

February 26

Theft, 600 block of Bellevue Way Northeast - The suspect stole a Microsoft Surface tablet valued at $2500.

Stolen vehicle, 400 Bellevue Way NE - Two suspects were seen in a stolen vehicle leaving the mall parking lot. Security followed the suspects until officers got behind it. The suspects pulled over in the alley by Chipotle off NE 4th. The driver ran away and the passenger stayed in the vehicle, which was not in park and rolled into another vehicle. The driver was caught by officers a few minutes later hiding in a hallway in a nearby business. Both the driver and passenger were arrested and booked.

February 28

Weapons complaint, 600 block of 116th Ave. Northeast - An employee reported contacting a possibly homeless person who had entered a customer’s vehicle and removed a firearm. The suspect handed the firearm to the employee without incident and left the scene on foot.

Theft, NE 4th St and 110th Ave NE - A cab driver reported the suspect refused payment and then threatened him with a knife. The suspect fled on foot and evaded several Officers before being captured near the NE 200 block of 112th Ave NE. After the victim calmed down and upon further interview, the victim recanted his statement about the suspect holding a weapon and did not report any threats.

Assault, 1400 block of 145th Ave NE - The suspect was inside McDonald’s causing a disturbance and appeared to be highly intoxicated. Officers contacted him to place him in protective custody when he became agitated and aggressive. The suspect hit an officer in the nose with his head and bit another officer. The suspect was taken to the ground and handcuffed. The suspect was booked, and two Officers were treated at the hospital and released.

March 2

Residential burglary, 2400 block 171st Ave SE - The suspect entered the garage of the residence through an unlocked side door and stole items.

March 3

DUI, 123 Ave SE and SE 60th St - A citizen reported a male slumped over in the driver’s seat. The citizen contacted the male who fled the scene onto Coal Creek Pkwy SE. The Officer conducted an area check and located the vehicle stationary on the side of the road with the engine still running . The Officer contacted and arrested the driver.