Driver arrested after car crashes into Bank of America

UPDATE: The driver of a reported stolen car was arrested after crashing into the drive-through wall of Bank of America during a pursuit around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, according to the sheriff’s department.

Daniel Beahm, 18, of Ramona, was arrested on charges of auto theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and evading a police officer with disregard to safety, said Sgt. Brent Strahm of the Ramona sheriff’s substation. Beahm was booked into San Diego Central Jail, he said.

According to Strahm, Sheriff’s Deputy James Breneman had received a call at 6:23 a.m. of a red Mitsubishi Eclipse that was stolen from the 700 block of B Street when he spotted it at 14th and Main streets. The deputy turned his car around to pursue the driver, who turned off Main into the Albertsons shopping center near the intersection, said Strahm. The driver of the Eclipse then headed toward the north end of the shopping center and turned right to 14th Street.

“He was driving too fast, lost control and tried to regain control on 14th Street,” reported Strahm.

The Mitsubishi sideswiped a chain link fence on 14th Street before the suspect turned right into the shopping center between the bank and Nuevo Grill, according to the report.

Strahm had no information about damage to the bank, but it was closed and reportedly without power on Saturday. The bank was open on Monday but bank personnel declined to provide any information about the incident or damages.

ORIGINAL REPORT: A red Mitsubishi Eclipse sideswiped a fence along 14th Street before crashing into the drive-through wall of Bank of America at 1407 Main St. just after 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Details about the incident are not available. A construction worker evaluates the situation while a security guard stands by. The car hit the bank’s network, the construction worker said. There is no power in the building and the bank is closed.