Monrovia, California – A man sought by police for a probation violation was arrested on July 17 after he inadvertently walked into a Panda Express restaurant where two officers were on a dinner break. The incident marked the third time officers had attempted to apprehend the suspect.
Around 8:30 p.m., two Monrovia Police Department officers were dining in the San Gabriel Valley restaurant when the man entered. According to bodycam footage released by the department on August 27, officers approached the man near the counter and took him into custody without a struggle.
Prior to this encounter, police had twice attempted to arrest the man while he was walking, but he managed to escape on both occasions by fleeing onto a freeway. The third attempt proved successful when the suspect entered the restaurant, seemingly unaware that the officers looking for him were present.
The Monrovia Police Department humorously commented on the arrest via Instagram, suggesting it was a result of either good police work, unfortunate timing for the suspect, or the appealing aroma of the restaurant's food. The post also confirmed that the officers returned to their meals to finish their chow mein, stating, "Priorities."
The specific details of the crime leading to the probation violation were not immediately available.