High-Speed Car Chase Through Downtown Ends in Zillah

A car chase through downtown Yakima and onto Interstate 82 led to the arrest of a bank robbery suspect near Zillah.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. Friday, a white male entered the U.S. Bank at Third Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard. Wearing a ski mask, he demanded cash from a teller while brandishing a firearm. He then fled with the money.

According to a Yakima Police Department release, a YPD officer noticed a white van driving erratically at Third Avenue and Division Street, and the driver would not pull over. A chase ensued through downtown and onto the freeway with speeds in excess of 100 mph.

Authorities finally used spike strips to disable the vehicle between Exit 50 and Exit 52 near Zillah. The Washington State Patrol and Yakima County Sheriff's Office assisted in the pursuit.

No injuries were reported during the chase or the bank robbery.

The suspect will face charges of first-degree robbery and eluding when he gets to court, likely next week.