A chaotic scene unfolded in Royal Oak, Michigan, when a woman led police on a chase that ended with her SUV crashing into an Ulta Beauty store. Katrina Patterson, a 26-year-old from Canton, is now facing a series of charges after the incident, which took place early Sunday morning.
According to CBS News Detroit, the chase began when officers responded to reports of a white SUV driving on train tracks. Patterson refused to cooperate with police after being approached and fled the scene, initiating the pursuit that led her to crash into the beauty shop. In a statement obtained by CBS News Detroit, Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore highlighted the gravity of the situation, saying they were "extremely fortunate this suspect did not seriously injure or kill our officers, herself, her passenger, or anyone else."
In a video captured by police and reported by WXYZ, Patterson is seen ramming through the cosmetic store's windows. After the initial crash, she attempted to flee again by reversing and hitting a police car before driving further into the store, causing more damage. A community member, Beth Armstrong, who watched the police video, told WXYZ in an interview, "I mean, it's just wild. I don't know the story, what was happening, but it's crazy."
The subsequent apprehension and charges were detailed by ClickOnDetroit. They reported that Patterson's criminal history includes a prior conviction for operating while intoxicated in 2023. Her arraignment took place on November 10th, with the bond set at $50,000 cash, and her next court date is scheduled for November 21.
Currently, the popular beauty store remains boarded up, and there is no timeline for reopening. The full extent of the damage caused both inside and outside the Ulta store remains unknown. Patterson, along with her passenger, was evaluated for minor injuries sustained during a crash. The man in the passenger seat, who received a citation for having open alcohol in the vehicle, was arrested but later released.
