In response to a recent spate of home burglaries in Bellevue and the surrounding areas, law enforcement officers have stepped up their patrols.
At least 16 burglaries in Bellevue are currently under investigation by detectives, who suspect that they are the work of the same group of individuals, according to the Bellevue Police Department.
Most of the burglaries have occurred in the Lakemont area during the evening hours between 5:00-9:00 pm when homeowners are likely to be away.
The suspects are known to utilize the trail systems to access and exit neighborhoods, and they typically have a getaway car and driver waiting for them.
They have been known to enter homes through back doors or second-story windows, with a preference for stealing jewelry, cash, purses, and safes.
The burglars also tend to target multiple homes within the same neighborhood.
The suspects are described as individuals who wear dark clothing and masks to conceal their identities.
Law enforcement officials believe that they are part of an organized ring that is targeting victims from Kent to Bellingham.