Suspects in bank robbery near Kings Island arrested in Kentucky wearing bullet-proof vests

Bank robbery suspect and driver, Jermaine D. Clark of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was found to have been involved in 6 bank robberies since January 2019 in several states including Ohio and Michigan.(Provided photo/Journal-News)

Bank robbery suspect and driver, Jermaine D. Clark of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was found to have been involved in 6 bank robberies since January 2019 in several states including Ohio and Michigan.(Provided photo/Journal-News)

Two suspects, both clad in bullet-proof vests and linked by police to the robbery of a bank near Kings Island, have been arrested in Northern Kentucky after they fled from police.

The two, according to Florence Police officials in Boone County, were wearing bullet-proof vests at the time and driving a stolen vehicle witnesses reported seeing at the PNC Bank in Mason Wednesday at the time the branch on SR 741 was robbed.

Mason Police told the Journal-News the two men are “persons of interest” in connection with the robbery but declined to comment further.

According to a report by Florence Police, “officers located a Dodge Charger Hellcat on KY 18 near Mall Road, which was involved in a bank robbery in Mason in the afternoon hours of July 24.”

“This vehicle had also been reported stolen from Michigan. When officers attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle, the driver quickly accelerated and fled from officers south on I-75 from KY 18. Florence Police officers attempted to pursue the vehicle, but lost sight of it.”

“Florence Police officers located the Dodge Charger Hellcat after it had been involved in an injury accident at the intersection of I-75 south and Mt. Zion Road,” with witnesses saying two men had run from the accident scene.

Police later arrested the suspects nearby.

“Both subjects were found to be wearing bullet proof vests when they were apprehended. One of the subjects was also found in possession of proceeds from the bank robbery in Mason,” according to the report.

“The robbery suspect and driver, Jermaine D. Clark of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was found to have been involved in 6 bank robberies since January 2019 in several states including Ohio and Michigan. Mr. Clark also had three warrants for his arrest for charges including robbery, bank robbery and a parole violation.”

“In addition to these charges, Florence Police charged Mr. Clark with felony receiving stolen property, fleeing or evading police, wanton endangerment, felony assault, and other traffic related offenses as a result of the pursuit.

“The passenger in the vehicle, Steven A. Smith of Zanesville, Ohio, was arrested for felony receiving stolen property, fleeing or evading police, and wanton endangerment.”

Both suspects remain in custody at the Boone County Jail, said police.

About the Author