LAPD Captures Felony Suspect After Attempted Escape by Swimming

A wanted man ran from Los Angeles police and leaped into the ocean to swim away

He spent over an hour treading water at Will Rogers State Beach before lifeguards pulled him onto a sheriff's boat.

WHAT HAPPENED

It started around 7:20 AM near the busy corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard. Los Angeles police officers stopped a man who had an active felony warrant.

Instead of giving up, the man took off running toward Will Rogers State Beach. He plunged straight into the cold ocean waves and began to swim away.

For more than an hour, the man treaded water hundreds of yards from the shore. Lifeguards rode out on rescue boards to talk to him, waiting for the right moment to end the standoff. They finally loaded him onto a sheriff's boat.

FACT BOX

• Time of stop: 7:20 AM on Thursday morning
• Location of stop: Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard
• Time spent in water: More than 1 hour
• Distance from shore: Hundreds of yards
• Agencies involved: LAPD, L.A. County Lifeguards, L.A. County Sheriff's Department

WHY IT MATTERS

This wild chase shows how far some people will go to escape the law. It put the man in great danger and kept rescue teams busy for hours.

These life-savers had to focus on one fleeing man instead of watching the rest of the beach. It shows how fast a simple stop can turn into a huge rescue mission.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The man is now in jail. He will likely face new charges for running from the police.

He will have to see a judge soon to answer for his original warrant.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. What original felony warrant was the man wanted for?
2. Did the police stop the man for a routine traffic issue or were they looking for him?
3. Who is the suspect and does he have a lawyer?