LAPD K9 gets to play when a Car Thief runs from officers, Bodycam shows

On Saturday, February 17, 2024, at around 1 p.m., Wilshire Division officers were patrolling in the area of San Vicente Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue when their Automatic License Plate Reader alerted them of a stolen vehicle.

The officers observed the stolen vehicle, traveling east on San Vicente Boulevard, being driven by a male driver, later identified as 21-year-old Ian Jimenez. The officers confirmed the vehicle was stolen and requested a backup when Jimenez abruptly accelerated away at a high rate of speed. A vehicle pursuit ensued but quickly terminated when Jimenez collided with an occupied vehicle causing minor injury to the occupant. Jimenez exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the adjacent neighborhood where officers established a perimeter.

Metropolitan Division K9 officers responded to the perimeter and conducted a K9 search. After a brief search, Jimenez was discovered exiting the rear door of a residence located in the 1200 block of Masselin Avenue, where a K9 contact occurred. During the contact, Jimenez wrestled with the K9, refused to surrender and fled on foot once again.

Jimenez was tracked by the airship and ultimately taken into custody approximately one block away by a second K9 search team. Jimenez was transported by fire department ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was treated for K9 related injuries to his left forearm and right ankle and cleared for booking.