Utilizing crucial de-escalation training, Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) officers and neighboring law enforcement personnel worked together to arrest a burglary suspect on the evening of April 4 at a residence in the 6900 block of Southeast 33rd Street on the Island.
According to MIPD public information officer Lindsey Tusing, Island, Bellevue and Kirkland police units — including a Bellevue K-9 unit — were on scene during the hour-long home invasion in which the male suspect in his 20s forcibly gained entry into the residence. The off-site homeowner spotted the suspect on security cameras and called 911 at about 10:30 p.m. to report the break-in.
Following his surrender, the suspect — who was known to the victims — was transported to King County Jail and is currently being held on charges of felony residential burglary and threats to kill. There were no injuries during the incident and police couldn’t reveal if the suspect possessed a weapon or disclose any information regarding the latter part of the charges.
Tusing said that a total of 12 police units were on scene at varying times during the incident, during which officers surrounded the property, located the suspect inside and commanded him to depart the home.
At one point, the suspect went to a door, refused to exit and then went back inside, Tusing said. Soon after, the suspect returned to the door and police persuaded him to exit and surrender peacefully with his hands raised.
The resident remained away from the home throughout the incident and communicated with police afterwards.
“I think the takeaway here was that the de-escalation training just really came into play with all of the departments and it speaks to the standardized training that we have in the region in addition to our own department. When three departments can come together in an instant like that and work together seamlessly, that’s the best situation we can hope for,” said Tusing, who added that the MIPD doesn’t see a connection with this burglary and the other recent incidents on the Island and Eastside.
De-escalation involves officers utilizing verbal commands, patience, familiarizing themselves with the suspect’s attitude and mood and keeping in constant communication in order to avoid using force, Tusing said.
Tusing said that adjacent agencies are called into action to join forces when there’s a confirmed burglary in progress. In this case, the resident witnessed the incident in real time on camera and provided a description of the suspect, she added.
“That’s an escalated level of response, so we know we’re going to be likely contacting a suspect and so — especially late at night, it’s dark — we’re going to request assistance from surrounding agencies,” said Tusing, adding that a K-9 unit was present in anticipation of a foot pursuit.
In a social media post, the MIPD thanked Bellevue and Kirkland police for their professionalism and teamwork during the incident.
MIPD reiterates that residents shouldn’t hesitate to call 911 if they witness suspicious activity in their neighborhood. Also, Tusing said residents should lock their doors and windows, keep the exterior of their homes well-lit and trim hedges away from the house to reduce concealment for subjects.
“Time was really of the essence here. We were able to get there so quickly and begin working that call,” she said of the homeowners’ swift 911 call.
