Man Bites Dog: After LAPD Car Chase from Downtown to the Santa Monica Pier, It Turns Out a Dog Was Behind the Wheel

A high-speed chase that tore through Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, ended dramatically near the Santa Monica Pier when a suspect, accompanied by a dog, surrendered to police after a tense standoff.

The pursuit, initiated by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) following a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, began in the West Adams district and culminated in downtown Santa Monica, briefly disrupting the bustling tourist area. The incident, captured by SkyFOX and onlookers' cellphones, has sparked local debate about public safety and police pursuits in densely populated areas.

The chase started around noon when LAPD officers attempted a traffic stop near 8th and Spring Streets in downtown Los Angeles after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon.

The suspect, driving a Toyota Corolla, fled west on the 10 Freeway, reaching speeds over 100 mph and weaving dangerously through traffic, at times into oncoming lanes.

SkyFOX footage showed the driver exiting onto surface streets in Santa Monica, making erratic U-turns at the intersection of Ocean and Colorado Avenues, just east of the pier's entrance. "It was chaotic," said bystander Emily Torres, who recorded the scene. "Cars were swerving, and people were shouting as he circled around."

Around 1:00 p.m., the suspect stopped in the middle of the intersection, exited the vehicle with a leashed white dog with brown spots, and lay face-down on the pavement, surrendering without incident.

The dog, unharmed, hopped back into the car before officers secured it, with the LAPD now seeking a friend or family member to claim the animal to avoid sending it to a shelter.

Details about the suspect's identity and the alleged assault remain undisclosed, with the LAPD withholding information about the weapon involved or potential charges pending further investigation.