'Determined to wreak havoc': Bellevue looting was organized event, police say
https://komonews.com/news/local/determined-to-wreak-havoc-bellevue-looting-was-organized-event-police-say
BELLEVUE, Wash. โ Hundreds of looters ransacked major shopping malls and even small businesses across Bellevue amid the peaceful protests Sunday in a coordinated event that police say was organized by outside groups.
"Several groups that showed up in Bellevue (Sunday) were bound and determined to wreak havoc," said Bellevue Police spokesperson Meeghan Black.
Around mid-afternoon Sunday, looters smashed their way into the shuttered Bellevue Square Mall, stealing from dozens of stores inside, as other groups simultaneously hit Lincoln Square and the Bravern.
"They were in multiple locations at the same time and really caused a lot of problems," Black said. "It was just a disgraceful day here in Bellevue. It was very sad to see this happen."
Police did receive intelligence that it was a known gang unit coming into the city to be destructive.
"They were even inciting participation on social media," Black said.