Felony Suspect Swims Into Ocean To Escape Police At Will Rogers Beach: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA — A man wanted on a felony warrant ran into the Pacific Ocean while fleeing police near Will Rogers State Beach on Thursday morning, triggering an unusual standoff with authorities, KTLA reported.

Authorities were continuing to work to bring the man to shore at around 9 a.m., according to the station.

Officers were chasing the man on foot near Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades at about 7:21 a.m. when he passed a lifeguard tower and entered the water, according to the station, citing the Los Angeles Police Department.

Aerial footage showed the man treading water several hundred yards offshore more than an hour later as Los Angeles County lifeguards on rescue boards monitored him. A sheriff’s boat and a county lifeguard vessel also responded while authorities worked to bring him safely back to shore.

The man slowly moved parallel to the shoreline toward Santa Monica as lifeguards remained nearby with flotation equipment, KTLA reported.

Authorities had not disclosed what prompted the initial police contact or the nature of the felony warrant. The man remained in the water during the station’s late-morning coverage.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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