LOS ANGELES – A driver in a reportedly stolen SUV on Tuesday afternoon led Los Angeles police on a high-speed chase marked by several dangerous encounters, including a close call with multiple motocross bike riders on the 110 Freeway.
Shortly before 6 p.m., the suspect used the right shoulder of the southbound 405 Freeway to pass other motorists near Culver Boulevard as multiple LAPD cruisers followed the white Mercedes-Benz.
The driver exited the freeway, and the pursuit continued on surface streets through the Del Rey area.
A biker performed a wheelie as the driver of the Mercedes-Benz led police on a chase through Los Angeles.
Initial reports indicated the SUV may have been stolen in the Laguna Beach area and that the suspect was possibly armed with a handgun.
By 6:15 p.m., the suspect sped eastbound on Slauson Avenue in the Hyde Park area, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and at times driving into empty oncoming lanes.
About five minutes later, in one of the chase’s most harrowing moments, the driver encountered nearly a dozen dirt bike riders as the SUV entered the northbound 110 Freeway.
The suspect merged onto the freeway while being passed closely by the motorcyclists, some of whom were popping wheelies with their front wheels in the air.
Just before 6:30 p.m., the driver exited the freeway and entered a downtown Los Angeles parking structure at the intersection of Hill and Eighth streets.
Police set up a perimeter around the parking garage and launched a search for the suspect.
Police say multiple people inside the vehicle were detained, but officers continue searching for one additional person.
Police chased a possibly stolen Mercedes-Benz SUV on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles.