January 1, Suspect Runs From Cops Twice Then Strolls Into Their Panda Express Lunch

Wyatt’s Take

• California police finally catch a wanted man who twice ran onto the freeway to dodge arrest, only for him to walk straight into their lunch spot.
• The suspect’s month-long evasion ended with an awkward restaurant takedown that left officers joking about chow mein priorities.
• Common-sense policing and quick action put an end to the nonsense without any drawn-out drama.

California cops spent weeks chasing a wanted man who twice bolted onto the freeway to avoid arrest.

Then luck handed them the easiest collar of the month when the same suspect strolled right into their Panda Express lunch break.

Body camera video shows Monrovia officers sitting down for chow when the man entered the restaurant.

They recognized him immediately, tackled him to the floor, and ended his month-long run from a no-bail felony probation warrant.

“What did I do?” the suspect asked as officers took him down.

One officer answered, “You’ve been wanted. You’ve been running from me for like a month.”

Police had tried to grab the man on two earlier occasions while he was out walking.

Both times he sprinted onto the freeway and escaped.

This time the chase ended without a chase at all.

“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 even returned to finish their lunch after the arrest.

“And don’t worry the officers went back for their food and finished their chow mein,” the department added. “Priorities.”

Wyatt Matters

Hard-working officers who put food on their own tables and keep neighborhoods safe deserve every bit of backup from the folks they protect. When police do their job without endless red tape, the rest of us can eat in peace.