Full Breakdown
LAPD Pursues Armed Suspect in High-Speed Freeway Chase Across Los Angeles
7/29/2026, 12:24:47 PM
Core Event – Details of the July 28, 2026 Pursuit
On July 28, 2026, LAPD officers chased a driver of a stolen white Mercedes-Benz SUV believed to be armed. The pursuit began in North Hollywood, moved through the 101 and 405 freeways, and ended in a downtown parking structure. The vehicle, reported stolen from Laguna Beach, was driven at speeds exceeding 100 mph, using the right shoulder, running red lights and traveling on the wrong side of the road.
Timeline of Key Movements
- ? 5:15 p.m. – Units spot the SUV near Sherman Way and Woodman Avenue and initiate the chase.
- 5:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m. – The suspect weaves onto the 101, then merges onto the southbound 405, reaching over 100 mph.
- ? 5:55 p.m. – The driver exits the 405 near Washington Boulevard, continues on surface streets and briefly drives on the wrong side of traffic.
- ? 6:00 p.m. – The SUV re-enters the freeway system on the northbound 110; a group of eight dirt-bike riders passes within feet of the vehicle.
- ? 6:15 p.m. – The suspect leaves the 110, travels east on Slauson Avenue, and continues weaving through traffic.
- ? 6:30 p.m. – The vehicle enters a downtown parking garage at Hill and Eighth streets. LAPD establishes a perimeter and begins a search.
Data & Statistics
- Vehicle: White Mercedes-Benz SUV (stolen).
- Speed: Exceeded 100 mph on the 405.
- Occupants: One man and two women were inside; police detained several individuals and continue searching for one more.
- Motorcyclist Interaction: Approximately eight dirt-bike riders encountered the suspect on the 110.
- Duration: The chase lasted more than one hour, from about 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Official Statements & Responses
LAPD confirmed the suspect was “possibly armed” and that a firearm was reportedly tossed from the vehicle during the pursuit. After the suspect abandoned the SUV in the parking structure, officers detained several occupants and remain “searching for one additional person.” The department noted the pursuit shifted to “tracking mode” when the suspect briefly left the freeway, with aerial and ground units continuing the follow-up.
On-the-Ground Observations
Aerial footage showed the SUV cutting lanes, driving on the shoulder and making sudden right turns across three lanes, forcing motorists to brake abruptly. Witnesses on the 110 reported the vehicle passing within a few feet of the dirt-bike riders. The driver also ran stop signs, ignored traffic signals and drove on the wrong side of the road in dense urban traffic.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Vehicle Origin: Some outlets described the vehicle simply as a “stolen white SUV,” while others specified a “white Mercedes-Benz” possibly stolen from Laguna Beach.
- Firearm Status: NBC Los Angeles reported the suspect tossed the firearm out the window; other sources only noted the suspect was “possibly armed.”
- Number of Occupants: NBC identified “one man and two women,” while other reports referenced “multiple people” detained and an ongoing search for an additional individual.
What’s Next – Ongoing Investigation
LAPD continues to search the downtown parking garage for the remaining suspect and is reviewing aerial and dash-camera footage to identify any additional participants. The department has not released further details about potential charges or the outcome of the firearm investigation.
