Police Blotter: Smash-and-Grab Raid on Office Nets Burglars $70,000 in Stolen Checks

are investigating the April 24 ransacking of corporate offices located on the eastern edge of the Town Center, including around $70,000-worth of missing checks.

Burglars allegedly struck several businesses housed in the four-story Rosauer Plaza building on the 2800 block of 82nd Avenue SE between 10:45 p.m. until just after midnight, according to several police summaries of the incident. Investigators said they believe an unnamed suspect allegedly used a "Knox Box" emergency key — meant for use by public safety personnel — to enter the building.  

Police say approximately $300 in cash and $70,000 in assorted checks were stolen from the offices of long-time Mercer Island developer John C. Radovich and his business, , on the top floor. The suspects also targeted infant circumcision specialist Dr. Aaron M. Witz and the offices of  His front office window and glass door were allegedly smashed to gain entry and several surgical tools and office items were stolen from inside.

The raid apparently came to an end when they smashed the plate-glass windows of and set-off an audible alarm. Nothing was reported missing from inside the business.

Police are trying to piece together who raided the offices from security cameras on the premises.

The case remains under investigation.

Sunday, April 17

(Death investigation) A 92-year-old man reportedly died while seated at a dining table in his home. Mercer Island Fire Department EMTs and Bellevue paramedics were unable to revive him.

(Theft) A Los Angeles, Calif. man reported the theft of four designer wallets from a friend's apartment on the 7800 block of SE 27th Street at 1:20 p.m. No value was given for the stolen items.

(Forgery) An unnamed suspect allegedly purchased two ice cream cakes from at 2:35 p.m. with a $200 forged money order and then pocketed $134.02 in change and left before the deception was discovered. The man allegedly purchased a Safeway-issued MoneyGram worth $2 on April 9 and then altered the check.

Monday, April 18

(Reckless Endangerment) A woman told police she was driving south on 84th Avenue on April 14 at around 9:30 p.m. when her BMW 535 was allegedly hit by an egg, striking the hood and running onto the windshield. When her car was cleaned, she discovered cracks in the car's paint.

(Involuntary Committed) Staff from the Mercer Island Care and Rehabilitation Center contacted police at 11:46 a.m. to report a 68-year-old resident had "walked-away" from the facility and needed police assistance. Police officers found the man to be only slightly confused but were convinced by medical staff that he required direct medical care. He was committed by police to Harborview Medical Center for a mental health evaluation.

(Traffic Offenses) Police stopped a Monroe man driving a Honda Prelude on the 7600 block of North Mercer Way for a traffic violation and discovered he was driving on a suspended license. The man was arrested and cited, and his vehicle was towed.

Tuesday, April 19

(Informational Report) Bellevue paramedics transported a woman from a home on SE 24th Street to Overlake Hospital after her husband discovered her unconscious after she had apparently tried to overdose on several pills. The man called 911 at 5:21 p.m. and then regained her breathing and pulse after conducting CPR.

Wednesday, April 20

(DUI) Police arrested a 46-year-old Washougal man after he crashed a blue Ford Expedition a few minutes after midnight, down an embankment off of the 7000 block of North Mercer Way. The vehicle came to a rest on the driver's side. Police determined the man had suffered a cut to the right side of his face and was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was taken to Overlake Medical Center for treatment. 

(Malicious Mischief) A radio-frequency antenna for the Interstate 90 tunnel was allegedly broken open by an unknown suspect and the cable was cut between April 11-12, resulting in a loss of service. Police estimate damages of $250.

Thursday, April 21

(Theft) Residents of a home on the 5700 block of 84th Avenue SE reported at 2:31 p.m. several thousand dollars-worth of fraudulent transactions on their Visa credit card.

(Found Property) A passerby walking through the hilly greenbelt above found a key and fob on a key ring at around 7 p.m. on a park bench there.

Friday, April 22

(Vehicle Prowl) A 52-year-old resident reported the rear window of her BMW 325 — parked at her home — had been smashed in the early morning hours and a book bag had been stolen from inside. Total losses were estimated at $450. 

(Warrant Arrest) Police rebooked a 33-year-old Renton woman at the King County Jail on an arrest warrant for driving a vehicle on a suspended license and for driving it without a breath-ignition interlock device.

Saturday, April 23

(DUI) Police stopped a Renton man for speeding on the 8600 block of SE 40th Street and equipment violations in a Honda Accord, but when the officer attempted to speak with the woman he detected the smell of alcohol. After failing a field-sobriety test, she was arrested and her blood alcohol measure to be above the legal limit.

(Property Lost) An Issaquah man reported his wallet missing at Tully's at around 4 p.m., which contained 1 credit card, 1 debit card and one state driver's license.

(Vehicle Prowl) A Honda Odyssey minivan was allegedly broken into sometime between 12-5:30 p.m. at a residence on the 2600 block of 61st Avenue SE. The 25-year-old woman who reported the break-in was unsure if anything was actually missing from her father's vehicle, who was out of town at the time.

Sunday, April 24

(Informational Report) A resident of the 7200 block of 80th Avenue SE reported his the rear driver's side window of his Honda Element was shattered overnight into Sunday morning, possibly from a small rock or debris. Police estimate losses at $500.

(DUI) Police arrested a 49-year-old Bellevue man driving a Subaru Outback at 6:13 p.m. on the 8000 block of SE 28th Street after he was stopped for traffic violations and the officer suspected he was driving under the influence of alcohol. His blood alcohol level was later measured at twice the legal limit.

Monday, April 25

(Burglary) A resident of a home on the 5200 block of West Mercer Way reported at 6:16 p.m. that unknown suspects had broken into her home through a shattered glass front door and stolen several valuables, including an Apple Laptop computer, an Apple TV box and a Sony HandyCam.