Los Angeles Police Department Apprehends Felony Suspect After Ocean Pursuit at Will Rogers State Beach

A suspect wanted on a felony warrant led Los Angeles Police Department officers on a foot pursuit that culminated at Will Rogers State Beach, where he entered the ocean in an attempt to evade capture. Authorities eventually apprehended him with the assistance of lifeguards who were present at the scene.

The Pursuit

The incident began early morning when West Los Angeles Division officers received a report regarding a suspect with an active felony warrant. Officers spotted the individual and attempted to make contact around 7:15 to 7:20 a.m., but the suspect immediately fled the location. What followed was a foot chase that took officers and their suspect toward the shoreline of Pacific Palisades, where the situation took an unusual turn.

Rather than surrendering to officers, the suspect made a decision to run directly into the water at Will Rogers State Beach. Aerial footage captured by news helicopters showed the suspect, who was partially nude, wading and swimming in the ocean while appearing visibly agitated and resistant to authority figures attempting his arrest.

Apprehension in the Water

Lifeguards present at the beach responded to the developing situation and positioned themselves on surfboards to reach the suspect in the water. As the suspect was brought toward shore, he continued to resist and struggled against both the lifeguards and responding officers during the custody process. The identity of the suspect has not been released to the public as of the incident report.