Bellevue police seek man in mall abduction
The 22-year-old woman, who works at the mall, was getting into her car in the west garage at about 5 p.m. Thursday when the man, armed with a knife, forced his way into the car, Bellevue police spokesman Michael Chiu said.
The man told the woman to drive onto Northeast Eighth Street. Stopping at a red light at Bellevue Way, the woman turned the ignition off, got out of the car and started screaming loudly for help, Chiu said.
The man walked northwest toward 102nd Avenue Northeast, and police were unable to find the suspect. He is described as white, 40 to 45 years old, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, with reddish-brown hair, and he was wearing a light-colored T-shirt and tan shorts. He was carrying a small kitchen knife.
Anyone with information should call Bellevue police at 425-452-6917, or 911 after business hours.
Police believe the kidnapping was sexually motivated but apparently random. They don't think the suspect and victim were acquainted, Chiu said.
Medina
Court upholds plan to rebuild grocery
An attempt to block the replacement of a historic store in Medina failed in King County Superior Court.
Judge Michael J. Fox rejected a bid to overturn a city decision permitting store owner Hae Lee to demolish the store and replace it with a slightly larger one, according to a press release issued by the city yesterday.
Several nearby residents had challenged the city, arguing it's decision violated state law.
The owner, with the endorsement of some residents, wants to rebuild the store to resemble the original but with additional seating for coffee and deli patrons. Opponents say the rebuilt store would be too big and draw too much traffic. The grocery is the only store in the small, affluent suburban town. It once served as a hub of community activity but closed in 2000.
Renton
Pickup hits barrier; Issaquah man killed
A 21-year-old Issaquah man was killed last week when the vehicle he was riding in hit a road barrier east of Renton, flew into the air and landed in an embankment, authorities said.
Tyler Crittenden was a passenger in the pickup truck that crashed early Thursday morning in the 18900 block of Southeast 128th Street.
Services for Crittenden were yesterday. He graduated from Liberty High School and attended Washington State University and Bellevue Community College, according to Flintofts Funeral Home.
The driver, Aaron Braunworth, 22, of Renton, was in satisfactory condition yesterday at Harborview Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Material is from The Seattle Times Eastside Bureau.