A brief LAPD pursuit through the Westlake District ended when the driver of an allegedly stolen vehicle ditched the car and slipped onto the grounds of a nearby middle school, according to witness video. The footage shows the individual hopping fences and moving onto campus as officers search the surrounding area. Authorities had not immediately released the suspect’s identity or clarified the person’s custody status.
Los Angeles schools are trained to respond to nearby police activity by sheltering students and tightly controlling campus exits, with post-incident reunification handled through designated “request gates,” according to district policy. Those protocols are laid out in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Parent-Student Handbook, which details lockdown and shelter-in-place procedures and how families will be notified, according to LAUSD.
Video shows suspect ditching car and slipping onto campus
Video published by CBS Los Angeles shows the driver abandoning the reportedly stolen vehicle, climbing a fence, and moving into a schoolyard in Westlake during what the station describes as a brief LAPD pursuit. The clip captures officers canvassing the campus area as the individual disappears into the school property. CBS Los Angeles reported it was unclear whether the person was taken into custody.
What the law says about fleeing police
Under California law, fleeing or attempting to elude a pursuing peace officer can be charged under Vehicle Code Section 2800.1, while the more serious offense of “reckless evading” is defined in Section 2800.2. The latter can be charged as a felony when a driver shows willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. Penalties range from county jail time for simple eluding to state prison for felony reckless evasion, depending on the circumstances set out in the statutes. See Section 2800.1 on the California Legislature website and Section 2800.2 on the California Legislature website for the statutory text.
CBS Los Angeles’ video is the first widely published account of the chase and campus search; the LAPD had not posted a detailed statement as of the station’s report. This story will be updated as law enforcement or the school district releases more information.
