High-speed pursuit suspect evades police in downtown Los Angeles

A high-speed pursuit suspect wanted for allegedly stealing a vehicle evaded capture, at least temporarily, when he drove into an underground parking garage, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot Thursday night in downtown Los Angeles.

The pursuit was initiated by officers with LAPD’s North Hollywood Division at around 8:45 p.m. when the suspect, described by police as an Armenian male with facial hair, was on the southbound 101 Freeway.  

The suspect, reportedly behind the wheel of a black Alfa Romeo, was seen hitting high speeds while weaving through moderate traffic on the 101 and 110 Freeways, at times exiting the freeways only to get back on in the opposite direction.  

Eventually, the suspect wound his way into downtown Los Angeles where he was seen driving into an underground parking garage in Pershing Square that was quickly surrounded by officers, with the exits being watched by the police helicopter flying over the scene.

According to police, the driver reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.  

During their search, authorities stopped vehicles as they exited the garage and gave a brief search before letting motorists exit.  

The pursuit can be viewed in the video player above.