BELLEVUE, Wash. — Two self-proclaimed "Kia Boyz" believed to be connected to a string of robberies in King County were charged Thursday.
Ralphe Manuma and Ardrell Davis, both 18 years old, were each charged with five counts of first-degree robbery and one count of unlawful imprisonment. Manuma was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, while Davis was charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission in the second degree.
Manuma's bail was set at $750,000. Davis' bail was set at $500,000.
On Sept. 19, two gas stations in Bellevue's Eastgate neighborhood were robbed. During one of the robberies, the suspects held an employee at gunpoint and forced him to open a cash register. When he was unable to open a second, one of the suspects struck the employee in the back of the head with a pistol, according to charging documents.
Bellevue police learned of four similar robberies that had occurred in Tukwila, SeaTac, White Center and Burien. They occurred on the same night as the Bellevue robberies.
Investigators with the Bellevue and Tukwila police departments, and King County Sheriff's Office, determined the two suspects were likely involved in all six robberies.
A stolen Hyundai that was involved in the robberies was later found with evidence that tied Manuma and Davis to the robberies, according to information from Bellevue police.
Manuma is alleged to have been involved in robberies in Tacoma and Lakewood. During the incident in Lakewood, he was allegedly the driver of a stolen Kia.
Detectives learned Davis was a suspect in multiple felony investigations. One incident was caught on video in Lakewood and showed a suspect, later identified as Davis, in a stolen Kia taunting the victim and her children.
Manuma was arrested on Dec. 2 in Pierce County.
Davis was arrested by Bellevue SWAT on Dec. 12.
The "Kia Boyz" TikTok challenge has led to increased thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Videos on social media have shown how people can start these cars with a screwdriver and a USB cord and then go for joyrides.
The challenge has led to concerns from people throughout western Washington. In November, an incident of teens driving recklessly in a Kia outside a middle school forced students back inside. It was a glimpse at what staff, students and parents have been dealing with all year.
In Seattle, the city council passed a resolution on Dec. 12 calling upon the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall of Kia and Hyundai models lacking immobilizer technology that is vulnerable to theft.