WILLOWICK, Ohio — The Willowick Police Department reports that two people are in custody and facing "several felony charges" after being accused of robbing a Starbucks and fleeing from officers before finally crashing into two homes.
According to a release, police say they were called for a reported theft at the Starbucks on Lakeshore Boulevard at approximately 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday. The caller was able to give police a description of the suspect vehicle and its license plate number.
Willowick police report that one of its officers on patrol found the suspect vehicle on Vine Street near St. Mary Magdalene Church and tried to make a traffic stop. "However, the vehicle turned Westbound onto Willowick Dr and began to flee at a high rate of speed," the release added.
The pursuit continued as the suspect vehicle reportedly approached the intersection of Willowick Drive and East 305th Street.
"The suspect vehicle attempted to turn left onto E. 305th Street but failed to negotiate the turn and crashed into two residential homes on the West side of E. 305th Street," Willowick police noted. Officers say several occupants were in each home, but were unharmed. However, both homes "sustained heavy structural damage" as a result.
Two "adult suspects" were taken into custody. They have been identified as Courtney Cochran and Kenneth Suleweki.
Police say it is believed that the pair were "recently engaged in a string of commercial and retail business thefts throughout Lake and Cuyahoga counties." The investigation is ongoing.
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