Bellingham Man Arrested for Twelve Robberies in Two Months

Bellingham, WA – The Bellingham Police Department responded to twelve robberies and attempted robberies within the city limits of Bellingham  in a twenty-three day span in January and February of 2019.

According to a press release from the Bellingham Police Department, Detectives have determined that 26-year old James M. Dean of Bellingham is responsible for all twelve robberies.

James Dean and two accomplices  were arrested on February 7th, 2019 for 1st Degree Robbery and Theft 1st Degree for robing 2020 Solutions at Knifepoint. Police Have identified the accomplices as 26-year old Angelica E. Willard and 28-year old Cecelia C. Morris. 

According to Bellingham Police, Dean made off with $5,500.00 in cash from the business and fled the scene with Morris and Willard in a getaway car.  Later in the evening, Officers located Willard and Morris in the getaway car and developed further information to assist in finding Dean and taking him into custody.

During the course of the investigation Detectives were able to determine many similarities in all the robberies committed, leading them to the conclusion that Dean was the suspect in all twelve cases.

Detectives have provided probable cause affidavits to the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office for the twelve robberies, so Prosecutors can file charges against Dean. On February 19th, 2019, Dead was arrested while being held in the Whatcom County Jail for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender.

Bellingham Police Chief Doll said “This Investigation was a collaboration of efforts beginning with information received from the public, our dedicated night shift patrol crew catching Dean and the detectives who put the evidence together to develop probable cause for the other 11 robbery cases. A true example of community policing and offender accountability.” 

Below is a summary list of the robberies that Dean is accused of committing in 2019.

January 16, 2019 at 2:25am, robbery at the Baymont Inn. Dean entered the lobby wearing a dark-colored jacket and gray sweatshirt underneath. He had his face covered wielded a knife. He demanded money and fled on foot with $349.50 in cash.
January 18, 2019 at 2:07am, robbery attempt at the Baymont Inn. Same suspect as on 1-16-19 tried to enter, but doors were locked. Dean was wearing same clothing as on the first robbery. He fled without any money.
January 19, 2019 at 1106pm, robbery at the Rodeway Inn. Dean, wearing similar clothing as in the previous robberies and wielding a knife. Dean entered the lobby demanding money. The clerk refused to give money, Dean left with nothing.
January 20, 2019 at 2:33pm robbery at the Baymont Inn. Dean entered the lobby wielding a knife, wearing the same clothing as during the Rodeway Inn robbery. Dean fled on foot with $300.00 in cash.
January 25, 2019 at 1:52am, robbery at the Best Western Heritage Inn. Dean entered the lobby wearing similar clothing as had been reported before. While the clerk called 9-1-1 from a back office, Dean stole the cash drawer and made off with $320.00 in cash.
January 26, 2019 at 7:52pm, robbery attempt at the Baymont Inn. Dean, dressed the same, wielding a knife entered the lobby and demanded money. Staff refused to give the money and Dean left with nothing.
January 29, 2019 at 10:59pm, robbery attempt at the Quality Inn Baron Suites. Dean, dressed in similar clothing, wielding a knife entered the lobby. The clerk refused to give any money and Dean left with nothing.
January 30, 2019 at 6:30pm, robbery at Dancing Gypsies. Dean, dressed in similar clothing and wielding a knife, entered the store and demanded money. Dean fled on foot with $211.00 in cash.
January 31, 2019 at 6:18pm, robbery at North Point CBD. Dean entered the store, wielding a knife, demanding money. Dean fled on foot with $872.00 in cash.
February 3, 2019 at 5:13pm, robbery at 2020 Solutions. Dean, wearing similar clothing and wielding a knife entered the store demanding money. Dean fled on foot with $2,918 in cash.
February 7, 2019 at 12:30am, robbery at Days Inn. Dean, wearing similar clothing, entered the lobby, jumping on the counter and demanding money. Clerk indicated 9-1-1 had been called and Dean fled on foot with no money.
February 7, 2019 at 9:29pm, robbery at 2020 Solutions. Dean, wearing similar clothing and wielding a knife, entered the store demanding money. Dean fled on foot and by car with over $5,550.00. Dean, Willard and Morris were arrested for this robbery after being found by patrol officers.