High-speed chase through the streets of LA pauses as police allow driver to STOP FOR GAS before continuing 100mph pursuit

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:39, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 21:46, 22 July 2026 The driver of an allegedly stolen vehicle managed to stop for gas while leading cops on a high-speed chase before making a grand escape, resurfaced video showed.  Los Angeles police began chasing the dark blue Infiniti 250 sedan when it was reported stolen in the Wilshire neighborhood shortly before 10pm on August 22, 2025, KABC reported. The driver reached speeds of 100mph and drove recklessly, weaving through other cars and traveling on the shoulder of the road, police said. At one point, cops on the ground and the police helicopter pulled off from the chase, but the local news station's helicopter continued to follow the vehicle. Video captured the suspect pulling into the Shell gas station at Imperial Highway and Long Beach Boulevard in Lynwood as unsuspecting patrons filled up their tanks. He appeared to look directly at the news camera as he nervously paced around the car and covered his face while pumping gas. After he quickly finished filling up, the driver began speeding again, and City of Bell police officers started to follow him.  The driver sped through the 105 Freeway, 110 Freeway, 710 Freeway and the 10 Freeway, in addition to surface streets in many areas during the chase. The driver of an allegedly stolen vehicle managed to stop for gas while leading cops on a high-speed chase before making a grand escape He appeared to look directly at the news camera as he nervously paced around the car and covered his face while pumping gas The chase ended when the driver ditched the car under the 10 Freeway overpass at Alameda Street near the Fashion District. Police believe he ran away on foot, and the stolen car was found rolled into a light pole. It is unclear if the driver was ever caught. The Daily Mail contacted the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for more information. The LAPD faced fresh scrutiny for the failed chase after failed mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt posted a clip of it on X on Tuesday. 'Wow. Communists in city hall have neutered law enforcement so badly that this car thief can stop for gas, mid-pursuit, fill up, and drive off, undisturbed,' Pratt wrote. 'Dude could've dropped in the mini mart and gotten a Slurpee, too. LA is full on GTA. Don't let communists run your city!'  Others joined Pratt in criticizing police and city officials for allowing the suspect to get away. 'You know your city is full-blown communism when criminals are not punished, but political opponents are. Keep up "THE GOOD FIGHT," Spencer; one day it will all get better,' one person wrote. At one point, cops on the ground and the police helicopter pulled off from the chase, but the local news station's helicopter continued to follow the vehicle The driver sped off from the gas station and police believe he managed to escape on foot after he ditched the vehicle under and overpass 'This is a total joke!! Incompetence and given in to lawlessness! What will befall this city in the coming years will decimate all civility!' wrote another. 'Absolutely insane! This is full-blown anarchy! Nobody respects or follows the law. We need solid leaders to right the ship asap- LA needs a man like Spencer Pratt!' added a third.  Although Pratt lost the primary in June, he pledged to go to 'war' with remaining candidates, incumbent mayor Karen Bass and progressive Nithya Raman, as he framed his loss as the result of 'the machine protecting the machine.' Pratt, who once appeared on the reality television show The Hills, shook up the race, turning it into a vengeance campaign against Bass after losing his $3 million home in last year's Palisades fire.  He also campaigned on the rise of crime, homelessness and drug use in the city.