BELLEVUE, Wash. — A Bellevue shoplifting investigation that began over a tube of ChapStick escalated into an arrest involving a firearm and an improvised explosive device, according to Bellevue Police Department Public Information Officer Drew Anderson.
Officers were dispatched at about 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, to a theft in progress at a drugstore in the 600 block of 156th Ave. NE. Police worked with business representatives to identify the suspect, Anderson said.
“The suspect was trying to shoplift a tube of ChapStick,” Anderson said. “I kid you not.”
ChapStick theft investigation uncovers firearm, suspected explosive in stolen vehicle
Anderson said the suspect gave officers false information about his identity, providing probable cause for an arrest. The suspect then resisted, and officers saw him trying to reach a firearm in his pants. Officers disarmed him without any shots being fired.
“Every stop, even if it’s considered small, can always go from zero to 100 within seconds,” Anderson said.
After the arrest, officers found a key fob in the suspect’s possession and used it to locate a vehicle in the parking lot. Police determined the vehicle was stolen. While looking inside, officers saw what appeared to be an improvised explosive device (IED), Anderson said.
The department’s bomb squad confirmed the device was a legitimate IED. Officers cleared the area, and bomb technicians safely removed it without injuries to the public. Anderson said technicians later dismantled the device.
“We’re very fortunate that no one was hurt,” Anderson said. “Officers and bomb technicians acted quickly to secure the area and remove and disarm the device.”
Suspect booked into jail; no explosive-related charges yet
The suspect was booked into the King County Jail. Investigators said the suspect had existing warrants in King County and with the U.S. Marshals. Police arrested him on suspicion of assault, driving with a suspended license, possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, making false or misleading statements to law enforcement, and obstruction.
At the time of Anderson’s interview, police said there were no charges related to the IED. He said charges could change depending on how prosecutors decide to proceed. Police could not confirm whether the suspect was a Bellevue resident.
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