In an unexpected twist of fate, a man wanted in California, who had twice eluded capture by dashing onto a freeway, inadvertently found himself running out of good fortune. His luck ran dry when he wandered into a Panda Express, only to spot the very officers he had previously outmaneuvered enjoying their lunch, police reported.
Two thrilling attempts to escape. Twice he darted onto the freeway and evaded law enforcement. But the third encounter took a surprising turn.
It was officers from the Monrovia Police Department who recognized the suspect as soon as he entered the restaurant. Seizing the moment, they promptly arrested him, thus concluding a month-long pursuit to serve a no-bail felony probation warrant.
Captured on bodycam footage, officers tackled the fugitive inside the Panda Express, bringing a swift end to his previous successful getaways. (Monrovia Police Department)
The body camera footage vividly reveals the moment two officers, who were quietly eating, suddenly leaped into action. They swiftly apprehended the unidentified man, bringing him to the ground, amid surprised diners in the bustling restaurant.
Police said the man was wanted on a no-bail warrant for a probation violation.
The encounter unfolded July 17, but police released video of the arrest Thursday.
In the video, the suspect asks the officers, “What did I do?”
Body camera video shows Monrovia police officers eating at a Panda Express moments before a wanted man unexpectedly walked into the restaurant, authorities said. (Monrovia Police Department)
One officer responds, “You’ve been wanted. You’ve been running from me for like a month.”
Police said officers had previously attempted to arrest the man on two separate occasions while he was out walking. Both times, he allegedly ran onto the freeway and managed to evade them.
The breakthrough came as officers were taking a lunch break at Panda Express when the wanted man “walked right up to them,” police said.
“At this point, we’re not sure if it was good police work, bad timing, or the irresistible smell of chow mein,” the department joked. “Either way, an arrest was made.”
The officers apparently didn’t let the arrest keep them from finishing lunch.
“And don’t worry the officers went back for their food and finished their chow mein,” the department said. “Priorities.”
A wanted man was taken into custody after unexpectedly walking into a Panda Express where Monrovia police officers were eating, authorities said. (Monrovia Police Department)
The Monrovia Police Department told News Media its social media post and accompanying footage constitute its public statement on the incident and that no additional information would be provided at this time.