Los Angeles, CA — A dangerous high-speed pursuit through Los Angeles on Wednesday evening ended with one suspect in custody and two others still on the run, following a tense carjacking chase that stretched across multiple neighborhoods and freeways.
High-Speed Pursuit Through City Streets
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the pursuit involved three possibly armed suspects driving a newer model Toyota Camry. While the exact time of the chase’s start remains unclear, Sky5 began tracking the pursuit around 6 p.m., capturing intense footage as the suspects sped through Figueroa Street at nearly 100 miles per hour.
Witnesses reported the vehicle weaving dangerously through heavy traffic, ignoring numerous stoplights, and narrowly avoiding collisions with other motorists. Video footage from Sky5 revealed the car had visible damage, though it remains uncertain if that occurred during the chase.
LAPD’s Multi-Unit Response
At least six LAPD patrol units were involved in the pursuit, which saw the driver swerving into oncoming lanes, making illegal turns, and performing reckless maneuvers in a desperate attempt to evade capture. Officers maintained both ground and aerial surveillance as the chase continued through densely populated areas.
The suspects eventually entered the southbound 110 Freeway, navigating through heavy traffic before exiting onto Imperial Highway and returning to surface streets, as per KTLA.
Foot Chase in Watts Neighborhood
By approximately 6:30 p.m., the suspect vehicle came to a stop near the intersection of Hooper Avenue and East 14th Street, where all three suspects abandoned the car and fled on foot into the Nickerson Gardens apartment complex, located in the Watts neighborhood of South Los Angeles.
Preliminary, though unconfirmed reports, indicate that one suspect was immediately apprehended by responding officers, while the remaining two suspects were seen entering an open doorway inside the massive residential complex, which contains over 1,000 apartment units.
Ongoing Manhunt and Police Presence
Following the suspects’ flight, LAPD swiftly secured the perimeter and called for additional backup units to assist in the search. Officers were seen going door-to-door as part of the intense manhunt for the fugitives still at large.
Authorities emphasized that no injuries have been reported among officers or civilians so far. Meanwhile, Sky5 was instructed to leave the area as the ground search intensified for safety and operational reasons.
As of late Wednesday night, the two remaining suspects had not been located, and LAPD continued to maintain a visible presence in the Watts area to ensure the safety of residents and assist in the ongoing search effort.
LAPD Urges Public Cooperation
Officials have urged residents in the Nickerson Gardens area to remain indoors and report any suspicious activity immediately. Law enforcement sources suggest that additional updates may be released once the suspects are identified or captured.
Anyone with information about the carjacking or the whereabouts of the remaining suspects is encouraged to contact LAPD’s South Bureau or Crime Stoppers.
What do you think about this dangerous pursuit through Los Angeles? Do you believe police chases like this should be handled differently to protect the public?
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