Two suspects' getaway plan hit a snag after their stolen vehicle collided with an unoccupied Waymo car during a police chase in San Francisco, leading to their arrest, authorities said. The sequence of events unfolded early Monday morning when a victim was robbed and assaulted near United Nations Plaza, according to a statement obtained by KRON. The perpetrators, a man and a woman, allegedly made off with the victim's money and car keys before speeding away in the victim's vehicle.
Police pursued the stolen car through the city streets until, in a twist of fate, the suspects crashed into a Waymo vehicle coming out of its lot at 14th and Folsom streets. A witness wrote on Reddit that following the accident, which occurred around 2:40 am, the suspects attempted to flee on foot but ended up trapped in the parking lot, where they were apprehended by the police.
Images shared on social media showed the aftermath, with the Waymo cars blocked from exiting the lot by a single orange cone and their cautionary signals flashing. A Reddit user, under the handle Traditional_Carob810, captured the scene and said it appeared that the Waymos were "ganging up to go help their buddy.” Further details revealed by the KRON4 report indicated that the suspects ultimately could not outmaneuver the self-driving technology in their attempt to escape.
After the foiled escape attempt, the culprits faced swift legal consequences. The authorities confirmed a 41-year-old man was arrested on charges including possession of methamphetamine, while the 26-year-old woman faced charges of receiving a stolen vehicle, conspiracy, and resisting arrest. The San Francisco Police Department urges anyone with further information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
