Bellevue police arrest a suspect who threatened to use explosives

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) closed Interstate 90 (I-90) in both directions near Mercer Island on Saturday afternoon after police arrested a suspect who allegedly threatened them with an explosive device.

The incident began when officers found 42-year-old Sokphana Soeung of Bellevue and a sleeping passenger in a stolen black Mercedes at Enetai Beach Park on Saturday morning with drug paraphernalia in the car, according to the Bellevue Police Department (BPD).

The police laid out spike strips and woke the men up. The men then allegedly fled with four flat tires.

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The WSP’s slow-moving chase ended with a PIT maneuver on I-90 west near Mercer Island.

Soeung then allegedly ran away on foot. At some point, police say, Soeung turned around with a blowtorch in one hand and a tennis ball explosive device in the other.

“He turned around and appeared to attempt to plant an explosive device and then throw it back at the officer,” said BPD spokesman Drew Anderson.

A piece of equipment rolled under the highway, causing a complete closure of both directions of I-90. Bellevue officials then requested assistance from WSP.

Officers eventually managed to catch Soeung and then took him into custody. Two more devices were then found in the car.

BPD released a photo of the explosive device Soeung allegedly tried to detonate on I-90.

Police said the devices contained about 50 grams of explosive powder and were very dangerous.

Explosives technicians from BPD, WSP, King County, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the incident.

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Soeung is charged with possession of an explosive device, assault, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle and evading law enforcement. His bond was set at $750,000 during his arraignment Monday afternoon.

The police also arrested his passenger because of an existing criminal warrant.

One officer was slightly injured in the altercation. He was treated at the scene and released.

James Lynch is a reporter at KIRO Newsradio. You can read more stories from James here. Keep following James Xor send him an email here.

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