u/otastco

The city of Redmond has awarded 28 organizations and businesses a total of $126,350 to support community watch party celebrations during World Cup matches this summer.

The funding is from a city grant program developed to activate public and private spaces, strengthen community connections, and celebrate the global excitement of the World Cup during the tournament from June 11-July 19, the city said in a news release. It noted that the funds will be used to support watch parties at myriad locations throughout Redmond, including for six matches in Seattle and those hosted in other cities.

Each grantee will host a World Cup event that is free and open to everyone. Grantees were selected for their ability to provide diverse opportunities appealing to a variety of community members. Examples include watch-party events hosted by Recovery Beyond, providing an experience for those in recovery or wishing for a sober family-friendly celebration; the Center for Global Muslim Life, offering a youth-focused day of activities and halal food festival; and Centro Cultural Mexicano, celebrating Mexico’s first match of the tournament with a vibrant outdoor party, the city said.

Watch party grant recipients are:

AbleMinds Coaching

Austin Agency Organization

Bizdiversity LLC

Center for Global Muslim Life

Centro Cultural Mexicano

Dhugaa Community Services

EN Pacific Services LLC

Folonko Sports Foundation

Global Artists Collective

Indian American Community Services

International Buddy Organization

King County Library System

Muslim Association of Puget Sound

Northwest Share

On the Eastside Events LLC

OneRedmond

Origin Salon and Spa

Overlake Christian Church

Overlake Tea Station

Palmers East

Postdoc Brewing

Recovery Beyond

Redmond Town Center

Redmond's Bar & Grill

Seattle Marriott Redmond

Tipsy Cow Burger Bar

Turkish Women Charity and Aid Organization

Wedding & Event Catering LLC

“I’m grateful to support such a diverse group of businesses and organizations who are building community excitement for the World Cup,” Mayor Angela Birney said in a statement. “I look forward to welcoming the world to Redmond to enjoy community, culture, and soccer together!”

The city has developed a collection of other World Cup-focused programs and activities. Through its Redmond is Ready for the World campaign that was unveiled last fall, the city aims to foster community pride and connection by engaging with residents and community members and supporting local businesses as they prepare for this summer, using the World Cup as a catalyst to drive Redmond’s strategies for community collaboration and district development, while celebrating the city’s vibrancy as a regional destination.

In a separate release today, the city also announced a public unveiling event at 2 p.m. on June 12 at Downtown Park to celebrate a new permanent installation of 5-foot-tall letters spelling REDMOND that are being installed to commemorate the legacy of the World Cup locally, with the sign also serving as a new gathering spot and community landmark. The letters — cast in concrete and decorated with custom porcelain overlays — feature designs that celebrate Redmond through themes of culture, technology, inclusion, and nature.

Seattle's first World Cup match is June 15, Belgium vs. Egypt.

Redmond Police are asking for the public’s help identifying multiple suspects connected to several vehicle prowls that occurred overnight on May 6 at the Capella Apartments parking garage at 2710 Tagore Ave NE and the Village Overlake Bldg. garage at 2580 152 Ave NE.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage showing eight individuals inside the secured garage between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Suspects were seen entering vehicles, tampering with locks, and moving through the parking area carrying bags and backpacks. One of the vehicles associated with the group was a stolen dark gray Lexus bearing Washington license plate CTX8719, reported stolen out of Renton.

Detectives believe these incidents may be connected to multiple car prowls reported the same night.

If you recognize any of the individuals in these photos or have information related to this investigation, please contact Redmond Police at 425-556-2500 and reference the associated case number #26-012501.

Reminder: Remove valuables from your vehicle, lock your doors, and report suspicious activity immediately.

A Redmond vehicle theft investigation expanded into a residential burglary and multi-agency investigation spanning two counties before the suspect ultimately turned himself in. 

On April 18, Redmond officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from a residence in the 7800 block of 170th Place NE. The homeowner reported the suspect had unlawfully entered the home through a window while the residents were asleep and stole a vehicle key fob and bank card before taking the vehicle.

Using a vehicle tracking application, the victim located the stolen vehicle at a gas station in another county. Redmond officers coordinated with the agency that recovered the vehicle and connected the suspect to a residential burglary and additional vehicle theft in that jurisdiction shortly after the stolen vehicle was abandoned.

On April 21 at approximately 10:30 p.m., 23-year-old Amir S. Yasir arrived at the Redmond Police Department, driving the stolen vehicle, and asked to speak with officers.

During an interview with detectives, Yasir admitted to entering the Redmond residence, stealing the vehicle keys and bank card, and driving the stolen vehicle to Tumwater before abandoning it when it ran out of power. Yasir also admitted to burglarizing another residence in Tumwater and stealing a second vehicle, which he later drove throughout Oregon before returning to Redmond to turn himself in.

Investigators confirmed Yasir matched surveillance footage obtained during the investigation.

“This case highlights the value of quick reporting, technology-assisted investigations, and strong collaboration between law enforcement agencies,” said Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe. “Criminals who target our communities should know that agencies will work together across jurisdictions to find them and pursue criminal charges.”

Redmond and Seattle police officers arrested the second suspect in connection with a violent assault of a 77-year-old man that occurred April 19 in Seattle.

At approximately 4:25 p.m. on Monday, May 4, Redmond officers responded to a report of a man matching the description of a Seattle assault suspect at a business in the 7800 block of Leary Way. The caller reported recognizing the individual from news coverage released earlier in the day, which included surveillance footage of two men violently attacking an elderly man near 3rd Avenue and Pine Street in Seattle.

The assault occurred shortly before 10 p.m. on April 19, as the victim walked southbound after getting off a bus. The suspects assaulted the man, breaking multiple bones and leaving him on the pavement.

Seattle police arrested one suspect shortly after the incident. The second suspect remained outstanding until May 4, when an observant community member recognized him from footage released by the Seattle Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center.

Redmond’s Real-Time Information Center played a key role in confirming the suspect’s identity by providing officers with access to Seattle camera images while on scene.

With assistance from Seattle police, officers arrested Jes’Sean Tyrell Elion, who was booked into the King County Jail.

According to Seattle police, the other suspect, Ahmed Abdullahi Osman, was arrested on April 19 but released on bail two days later. He is currently wanted on a $200,000 warrant, and officers are actively searching for him.

“This arrest is the direct result of strong collaboration between agencies and the vigilance of our community,” said Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe. “By combining real-time technology with focused investigative work, we are able to identify suspects quickly and hold violent offenders accountable.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the outstanding suspect’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement. Community awareness and timely reporting continue to play a critical role in public safety. Anyone who sees the suspect should not approach and should call 911 immediately. Tips can also be provided to local law enforcement agencies.