Suspect crashes into building during high-speed LAPD pursuit in Koreatown
A suspect in a reportedly stolen vehicle was arrested after a high-speed pursuit ended in a crash in Koreatown Thursday.
At around 3 p.m., deputies with the Marina del Rey Sheriff’s Station initially pursued the robbery suspect, who was allegedly armed with a rifle, before Los Angeles police took over.
The suspect, driving a black BMW coupe, led officers on a dangerous, high-speed chase through crowded surface streets.
After arriving at the intersection of 5th Street and Wilton Place, the suspect crashed into the side of a white Mazda hatchback, sending both vehicles spinning out of control.
The suspect’s BMW crashed into the side of an apartment building and sustained heavy, front-end damage. The impact pushed the Mazda onto a sidewalk, leaving the vehicle with notable rear-end passenger-side damage.
A suspect in a reportedly stolen BMW was arrested after a high-speed pursuit ended in a crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (KTLA) A suspect in a reportedly stolen BMW was arrested after a high-speed pursuit ended in a crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (KTLA) A suspect in a reportedly stolen BMW was arrested after a high-speed pursuit ended in a crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (KTLA) A male suspect being transported to the hospital for injury treatment after a high-speed pursuit crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (@laurenorion) A rilfe was found in the back of a robbery suspect’s vehicle after a pursuit crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (@laurenorion) A victim’s white Mazda was T-boned by the suspect during a pursuit crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (KTLA) The male suspect was transported to the hospital for injury treatment. (KTLA) The male suspect was transported to the hospital for injury treatment. (KTLA) The female driver of the white Mazda was transported to the hospital for injury treatment. (KTLA) Police investigate the reportedly stolen BMW after a destructive pursuit crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (KTLA) The male suspect was transported to the hospital for injury treatment. (KTLA) The male suspect was transported to the hospital for injury treatment. (KTLA) A suspect in a reportedly stolen BMW was arrested after a high-speed pursuit ended in a crash in Koreatown on August 1, 2024. (KTLA)
Residents in the area said they were shocked by the destructive collision.
“We heard what sounded like a plane crash,” said witness Lauren Snyder. “I looked outside my apartment window and saw the car had crashed into the side of our building. I saw a guy flee from his car and run into our neighbor’s building.”
Police arrived at the scene and eventually took three suspects into custody.
The male driver was transported to the hospital for injury treatment along with the female driver of the Mazda. Witnesses said a rifle was also discovered inside the suspect’s car.
Residents in the area noted a troubling uptick in crime across the community.
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“It’s very scary,” Snyder said. “There’s been a lot of crime happening, just in general, and it seems to pick up during the summer.”
The suspect’s identities were not released as the investigation remains ongoing.
Footage of the crash scene can be viewed in the video player above.
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