A man sought on a felony warrant evaded Los Angeles police by entering the Pacific Ocean, spending about 90 minutes in the water before a standoff with lifeguards concluded with his arrest. The incident began around 7:21 a.m. when officers from the LAPD's West LA Division attempted to make contact with the suspect near Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard.
According to reports, the man fled on foot, ran past a lifeguard tower, and entered the ocean at Will Rogers State Beach. He remained hundreds of yards offshore as Los Angeles County lifeguards on rescue boards monitored him and attempted to communicate. A sheriff's department boat and a county lifeguard rescue boat positioned themselves offshore.
Video footage captured the suspect appearing to resist as three LA County lifeguards worked to restrain him and guide him toward a waiting sheriff's department boat. He continued to resist as he was brought alongside the vessel, where officers and lifeguards ultimately pulled him aboard.
At one point, the suspect swam toward shore near Temescal Canyon but then turned back into deeper water. This prompted lifeguards to move in and end the situation. The suspect reportedly swam about a mile during the ordeal and appeared to be nude from the waist down. It remains unclear what the initial felony warrant was for or what prompted the officers to initially contact the suspect. His identity, condition, and any additional charges were not immediately released. The LAPD has been contacted for further information.