LOS ANGELES, CA – A man riding a dirt bike was arrested Wednesday night after leading police on a lengthy and erratic pursuit across Los Angeles County that included red-light violations, wrong-way riding, a collision with a car and a detour through a park where children were playing soccer.
The male suspect was wanted on suspicion of wielding a firearm while riding in public, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police have not publicly identified the rider or released additional details about the alleged firearm incident that prompted officers to seek him.
The pursuit began near Dodger Stadium before moving through surface streets toward downtown Los Angeles and later into South Los Angeles.
During the chase, the rider repeatedly maneuvered through traffic at high speed and ran red lights, according to information gathered about the incident.
He was also seen traveling on the wrong side of the road at times and passing close to other motorists.
California traffic laws generally require motorcycles operated on public roads to meet registration and equipment requirements. The California Department of Motor Vehicles’ guidance on off-highway vehicles classifies trail bikes and many dirt bikes as off-highway vehicles when they are designed primarily for use away from public roads.
Whether the dirt bike involved in Wednesday’s pursuit was registered or otherwise legal for street use has not been disclosed by police.
The DMV states that vehicles identified strictly as off-highway vehicles generally may not be driven on public highways except under limited circumstances. California rules governing operation of OHVs on highways allow only specific exceptions, such as designated crossings or transportation of the vehicle rather than ordinary street riding.
As the pursuit continued, the rider entered a gas station in the Florence area and attempted to refuel.
He then accelerated away while the fuel nozzle was still attached to the motorcycle, with an officer arriving at the station moments later.
Police have not said whether the gas pump or other property at the station was damaged.
The rider was also observed using a cellphone during portions of the chase, appearing to text and possibly make calls while continuing to evade officers.
At several points, he turned toward officers traveling behind him and appeared to taunt them before accelerating away again.
The pursuit continued through heavily traveled surface streets, where the rider repeatedly moved between vehicles.
At one point, the dirt bike sideswiped a car and knocked off one of the vehicle’s side-view mirrors.
No injuries associated with that collision were immediately reported.
The rider continued south and eventually entered a park in the West Rancho Dominguez area.
Children and other people were on the field playing soccer when the dirt bike crossed onto the grass.
Video from the incident showed bystanders moving out of the rider’s path as he traveled through the field.
The suspect stopped long enough to retrieve what appeared to be a gallon container of fuel that had been left at the park by another person.
He poured part of the liquid into the dirt bike’s fuel tank before riding away again.
Authorities have not identified the person believed to have left the fuel or said whether investigators consider that individual an accomplice.
Police also have not announced any additional arrests connected with the pursuit.
The rider later appeared to run low on fuel again as the chase reached the Inglewood area.
Near 111th Place, he stopped, abandoned the dirt bike and fled on foot into nearby residential properties.
Officers arrived almost immediately and began searching backyards as the suspect climbed over fences and walls while attempting to avoid capture.
The rider appeared to suffer an injury during the foot pursuit, although authorities have not disclosed the nature or severity of the injury.
He eventually climbed into or hid inside a trash container while officers searched the surrounding area.
Police located him a short time later.
Officers approached with weapons drawn and ordered the suspect to emerge with his hands visible.
He complied and was taken into custody without further incident.
The LAPD’s Traffic Coordination Division includes a Pursuit Review Unit and units responsible for traffic enforcement and the investigation of traffic-related crimes.
LAPD has previously noted that police pursuits can create risks not only for fleeing suspects and officers but also for uninvolved motorists and pedestrians. The department advises drivers who encounter an active pursuit to remain aware of emergency vehicles and avoid sudden movements that could interfere with responding officers.
Wednesday’s chase illustrated several of those risks as the dirt bike rider traveled against traffic, ran signals, struck another vehicle and entered a recreational field occupied by children.
Despite those incidents, no injuries to members of the public were immediately reported.
Police have not released the suspect’s name, age or city of residence.
Authorities also have not said whether officers recovered a firearm when the rider was arrested or whether one was located along the pursuit route.
Formal booking charges have not yet been publicly detailed.
Potential allegations stemming from the chase could depend on evidence collected by investigators, including the circumstances surrounding the original firearm report, traffic violations committed during the pursuit, the collision with the vehicle and the suspect’s actions after abandoning the dirt bike.
An arrest constitutes an allegation, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The investigation remains ongoing.
