High-speed chase through LA includes suspect’s dangerous encounter with dirt bike riders on 110 Fwy.

LOS ANGELES () — A driver in a reportedly stolen SUV on Tuesday afternoon led Los Angeles police on a high-speed chase that was marked by several dangerous encounters, including a close call involving multiple motocross bike riders on the 110 Freeway.

Shortly before 6 p.m., the suspect was using the right shoulder of the southbound 405 Freeway to pass other motorists near Culver Boulevard as multiple LAPD cruisers followed the white Mercedes-Benz.

The driver exited the freeway and the dangerous pursuit continued on surface streets in the Del Rey area.

Initial reports indicated the SUV was may have been stolen in the Laguna Beach area, and that the suspect was possibly armed with a handgun.

By 6:15 p.m., the suspect was speeding eastbound on Slauson Avenue in the Hyde Park area, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and at times moving into empty oncoming lanes.

About five minutes later, in one of the chase’s most harrowing moments, the driver encountered nearly a dozen dirt bike riders as the SUV entered the the northbound 110 Freeway.

The suspect merged onto the freeway while being passed closely by the motorcyclists, some of whom were popping wheelies with their front wheel in the air.

Just before 6:30 p.m., the driver exited the freeway and entered a downtown L.A. parking structure at the intersection of Hill and Eighth streets.

Police immediately set up a perimeter around the parking garage and launched a search for the suspect.