KING COUNTY, Wash. — One of two self-proclaimed "Kia Boyz" suspects pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges in a King County Courthouse on Wednesday.
Ardrell Davis, 18, faces five robbery counts as well as unlawful imprisonment and possession of a stolen vehicle. He and another 18-year-old suspect are accused in a string of five armed robberies in September at convenience stores.
Davis' lawyer asked that the suspect be released on electronic home monitoring, citing his age and lack of prior convictions. His mother, who is a corrections officer, spoke on his behalf in front of the court.
"I work here across from the courthouse and would make sure that he doesn't miss any court dates," said Lori Moffett.
The prosecution, meanwhile, described the string of armed robberies as "brazen" and "organized."
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 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.
The judge maintained Davis' bail at the previously set amount of $500,000.
The other 18-year-old suspect, Ralphe Manuma, was scheduled to appear in court but did not do so Wednesday. His bail was initially set at $750,000.
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 making the vehicles vulnerable to theft.