LOS ANGELES —The LAPD released body-worn camera footage showing a suspect speeding toward officers in a vehicle before being pursued and arrested, according to a critical incident release.
The Feb. 19 incident began when Wilshire Area Gang Enforcement Detail officers assisting on a burglary task force spotted passengers inside a stopped vehicle who matched the description of possible burglary suspects, according to the release.
When officers approached the vehicle, the driver sped away. Officers called for backup and initiated a pursuit.
Video of the pursuit shows the suspects driving recklessly at high speeds.
As officers continued to pursue the suspects, the driver turned and drove down a road that ended in a cul-de-sac. Upon reaching the end of the cul-de-sac, the driver turned around and drove directly at the pursuing officers.
Body camera video shows an officer getting out of the passenger side of the stopped cruiser while the suspect vehicle made a three-point turn in the cul-de-sac. After the suspects turned around, they drove toward the cruiser at a high rate of speed.
In order to avoid striking the cruiser head-on, the suspects drove toward the passenger side, speeding past the officer standing on the road. The officer then fired two shots as the vehicle continued to flee. The driver was not struck by the gunfire, according to the report.
As the pursuit continued, the suspect vehicle ran a red light, striking an uninvolved vehicle. The suspect fled on foot before he was tackled and arrested. The suspect was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer, one count of reckless driving and one count of felony hit-and-run, according to the release.
