Westlake Police apprehended two suspects following an alleged car-jacking at a Taco Bell in Cleveland, where a woman's car was reportedly stolen at gunpoint. The Westlake Police Department was alerted around 2:15 a.m. by the Cleveland Police that they were chasing a vehicle on I-90 West, as reported by WKYC.
A short time later, a Black Cadillac crashed into the median wall on the interstate in Rocky River, and two men were seen fleeing the scene. This led to a coordinated search by officers from several jurisdictions, including Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village, and Cleveland. In a twist to the usual narrative, according to a WKYC report, the Westlake Police Department said they "thank them for listening to the officers who were charged with taking them into custody." They stressed that non-compliance "could have led to many tragic outcomes," potentially increasing the stakes of the encounter.
According to the Westlake Police Department's Facebook post, which was further detailed by Cleveland19, officers located the two men on Gate House Lane in Rocky River. The suspects then complied with orders and were subsequently arrested without further issues. The police's recognition of the suspects' compliance emphasized a safety concern, stating, "Listening to the officers kept everyone safe….the suspects, the officers and the general public."
The department remonstrated against the alleged crime yet saw fit to publicly acknowledge the suspects' actions during their arrest. "While we strongly condemn the crimes these men are alleged to commit, we thank them for listening to the officers who were charged with taking them into custody," the statement read, according to WKYC news. After being taken into custody, the suspects were handed over to Cleveland Police to face the consequences of their actions in court potentially.
