3 Men Charged In King County Robbery Spree

BELLEVUE, WA — Three men linked to a prolific and violent series of robberies have been arrested and charged in King County after a lengthy investigation, according to the Bellevue Police Department.

In a news release Thursday, police identified the three suspects in the case as Daniel Recinos, Cesar Sandoval and Ricardo Valencia Alvarez. Investigators said the two-month crime spree began Oct. 12 when the trio used vehicles stolen in carjackings and kidnappings to facilitate armed robberies at gas stations and convenience stores.

Victims included residents in Bellevue, Redmond, Seattle, Renton Mercer Island, Maple Valley, Burien and Kent. Police said the suspects threatened clerks with handguns and in at least one case fired a shot inside a business.

Late Thursday afternoon, the Kirkland Police Department said its detectives believed the same three men were responsible for an October home invasion where one of the suspects fired several rounds at the homeowner.

"These three suspects are charged with violently robbing multiple businesses without regard for the employees they traumatized," said Shelby Shearer, a Bellevue police captain. "We appreciate our partners in the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff's Office who worked closely with us to ensure these dangerous individuals were taken off the streets."

During the course of the investigation, detectives said they found evidence of the suspects bragging about the robberies, which helped to identify and arrest them. Multiple agencies served search warrants at homes in Seattle, Bellevue and Auburn, where police said they discovered firearms, stolen property and other evidence.

All three suspects face multiple charges of first-degree robbery and remain jailed on bail ranging from $750,000 to $1 million. Racinos faces an additional kidnapping charge and two charges related to unlawful possession of a firearm.