Suspect Arrested on Child Luring Charges Related to Mercer Island Incident

August 22, 2024 - On June 5, 2024, the Mercer Island Police Department responded to a report of an attempted child luring incident. Two children stated they were approached by a male driving a Toyota Prius on the south end of Mercer Island – the man reportedly offered the children a stuffed animal and attempted to entice them to come closer. Fortunately, both children declined and immediately informed their mother.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the family, the responding Mercer Island Police officers, and community tips , Mercer Island Police detectives were able to obtain multiple leads that led to the identification of a suspect with a Kent address. Detectives made numerous attempts to locate the suspect and conducted a thorough investigation, gathering additional evidence to strengthen the case.

On August 6, 2024, Mercer Island Detectives formally referred felony charges to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office subsequently filed charges based on the investigation and the King County Superior Court issued arrest warrants for the suspect. On August 18, 2024, the suspect was located by Bellevue Police and taken into custody on these outstanding warrants. 

The Mercer Island Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to the family involved in the incident and the community for their unwavering patience, collaboration, and support throughout the investigation.