Bellevue police say looting was separate event possibly organized by outside groups

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Looting during the “Black Lives Matter” protests in Bellevue may have been organized by outside groups.

KOMO News reports that hundreds of looters ransacked shopping malls and small businesses across the city amid the peaceful protests Sunday.

Bellevue Police Spokesperson Meeghan Black tells KOMO News several groups that showed up in Bellevue were bound and determined to wreak havoc.

She says they realize the looters were not connected to the protests going on simultaneously over the death of George Floyd.

Investigators hope to get some clues about the crime ring from those they arrested.