Man arrested for doing ‘burnouts’ on Pride crosswalk, could face 10 years in Washington state prison

According to police, 21-year-old man Ivan Barzul is connected to several vandalism incidents targeting the same Pride art.

He was arrested at his home in Renton at approximately 1:58 pm on Tuesday on three counts of Malicious Mischief/first-degree vandalism and three counts of Reckless Driving. He could face up to 10 years in prison.

Bellevue police believe he is responsible for three similar acts of vandalism that occurred on July 14, Sept. 7, and Sept. 15.

On July 14, at 10:12 pm, traffic camera footage showed a suspect doing a 720-degree burnout over Pride artwork at the intersection of NE 1st Street and 102nd Avenue NE. When finished, the suspect fled the area. Bellevue’s Transportation Department estimated the damage at $3,200.

On September 7 at approximately 4:27 pm, traffic cameras showed a suspect doing burnouts over the same intersection while pedestrians were in the crosswalk and caused approximately $5,000 in damage before fleeing the area.

September 15 at 7:57 pm, traffic cameras once again showed a suspect doing a 720-degree burnout across the intersection, this time causing about $5,337 in damages.

Neighbors reached out to the Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound’s anonymous tipline and provided the man’s name and information. Investigators were able to tie the man to the cases. Chief of the Bellevue Police Department Wendell Shirley said in a statement, “Officers often preach ‘see something, say something.’ It’s without a doubt Bellevue residents helped law enforcement hold this individual accountable. This arrest is a testament to the teamwork a community and law enforcement can achieve together.”

According to Bellevue Police, Barzul has a history of reckless driving and there is no evidence of a hate crime. He has been booked into the King County jail. Earlier this month, the King County jail finally resumed booking offenders for misdemeanors after a four-year hiatus.