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Mason bank robbery suspect in custody following police pursuit in Florence

Posted at 3:07 PM, Jul 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-25 12:00:40-04

FLORENCE — Following a vehicle and foot pursuit, Florence police and Boone County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men Wednesday night in connection with a Mason bank robbery.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., Florence police pursued a Dodge Charger Hellcat reportedly involved in a PNC Bank robbery on Kings Mills Road and reported stolen in Michigan.

Police said the suspects accelerated, and officers lost sight of the vehicle after attempting to make a traffic stop on Kentucky Route 18.

Later, the suspects fled on foot after causing an accident at the intersection of I-75 and Mt. Zion Road, which sent one woman to UC Hospital with minor injuries.

Florence police and Boone County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended the suspects, who were wearing bulletproof vests, at Woodspring Apartments near the scene of the crash.

Police arrested the driver, Jermaine D. Clark of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and charged him with felony receiving stolen property, felony assault, fleeing or evading police, wanton endangerment and other traffic-related offenses as a result of the pursuit.

Clark was also involved in six bank robberies since January in several states, including Ohio and Michigan, and he had three prior warrants for his arrest, according to police.

Police also arrested the passenger in the vehicle, Steven A. Smith of Zanesville, and charged him with felony receiving stolen property, fleeing or evading police and wanton endangerment.

Both men were lodged at the Boone County Jail.