SUV Hits Bank In Attempt To Escape Police In Westlake

WESTLAKE, OH — While attempting to escape police, an SUV was rammed into the PNC Bank in Westlake on Thursday, police said.

A white GMC Yukon was spotted at the PNC on Crocker Road on Thursday. Police determined the vehicle had been used in several thefts in Westlake and surrounding cities.

Officers saw four people inside the SUV and attempted to speak to them. As police approached the vehicle, the Yukon was thrown into reverse and hit a Westlake police cruiser. The driver hit the cruiser several times in an attempt to escape.

The SUV then drove forward, hitting the PNC building, police said. Officers then pulled the four people out of the vehicle and took them into custody. A fifth person, who was inside the bank, was also taken into custody on Thursday.

The five suspects range in age from 29 to 39 and have listed addresses in Florida and Texas, a Westlake police spokesperson said. The group is being investigated by several agencies in connection with break-ins of vehicles and passing fraudulent checks, police said.

No one was hurt during Thursday's incident.