- 6 hours ago
Buckle up, because things are about to get wild! Join us as we count down the most insane, jaw-dropping, and unforgettable police chases ever caught on camera! From legendary pursuits to bizarre escapes you have to see to believe, these incredible real-life chases will leave you absolutely stunned. Have you ever witnessed a police chase in real life? Let us know in the comments!
Transcript
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're exploring the most insane, craziest, and infamous police
00:06chases both on foot and in a vehicle that were recorded on CCTV, live TV broadcasts, dashcams,
00:13and more. And we are told by the California Highway Patrol that O.J. Simpson is in that car.
00:20Quick dip. With no one seeing him steal the sedan, one teenage driver in 2001 thought he was a master
00:26criminal in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, he didn't count on Deputy Tiffany Murphy checking
00:32the license plate and seeing it was taken. I got a hit on the plate, just a random running of
00:37a
00:37license plate and came back as a stolen vehicle. After Murphy called ahead, another officer lay
00:42ready with a spike trap. Yet when the sedan stealer saw the spikes, he drove into the grass.
00:48Look at that, he lost the bumper. Struggling to control the vehicle, the thief landed in a lake.
00:54Most people would realize the jig was up, but not this guy. Instead, he got into the water and
01:00tried to swim to the other side. Yet rather than being scot-free, he was greeted by cops with dogs,
01:08forcing him to give up. The Washington Drawbridge Jump. Most people know that when a bridge has its
01:14barriers down, all you can do is wait. Yet one unnamed thief lived out their interaction film
01:21ambitions in 2025. The bridge is up, I'm going to have him stuck here, hold here.
01:26Local police were alerted about a stolen Audi and pursued the vehicle. Yet the driver went to the
01:31University Bridge in Seattle, Washington, where a line of vehicles were waiting for the bridge to
01:36open for boats to pass underneath. The thief, who'd watched too much Fast and Furious, slammed into the
01:42barriers and drove over the slightly raised bridge, sailing to the other side.
01:47He actually made the jump over the bridge. The police weren't able to do the same,
01:51understandably. While the suspect escaped arrest, the stolen car was found later,
01:56albeit with some damage to its undercarriage.
01:58The New Mexico Yellow Bus Chase. If you were going to choose a vehicle to go on a police chase
02:04with, a yellow school bus would be near the bottom of the list. Yet in 2012, Nathaniel Shipman did
02:11just that in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bright and early on a Friday morning, a school bus takes
02:17police on a ride like no other. With several cop cars in pursuit, multiple pit maneuvers did little
02:23to stop the bus. There goes the bus whizzing by near Trisco Vista. So the cops deployed spike strips,
02:29destroying the vehicle's tires. With that massive disadvantage, another pit maneuver was successful,
02:35sending the bus crashing into a barrier. Finally, the police opened fire as they approached the bus.
02:40Thankfully, while he was injured, Shipman gave up and was arrested. In 2014, after pleading no
02:47contest to multiple charges, the aspiring bus driver was sentenced to time served and two and a
02:53half years probation, taking cops for a ride. In 2026, Ohio police attempted to pull over Aisha
03:00Harris for outstanding warrants. Instead, she refused, sparking a 90-minute chase that crossed into
03:07Indiana and back into Ohio. During the chase, Harris' vehicle was pulling a trailer. It inadvertently
03:13picked up one of the cop cruisers, which could do nothing to escape.
03:17Stop!
03:17In the end, another officer completed a pit maneuver. The sudden veering sent the attached
03:23police vehicle flipping across the road before Harris' car crashed into a tree and was set
03:28ablaze. While Harris and the police officer were injured, thankfully both survived.
03:33It stemmed from a place of concern, fear. I don't know how else to react in that moment
03:39based on those emotions." After several court appearances, which were disrupted due to Harris'
03:44mental health issues, she pleaded guilty to multiple felonies from the chase in August.
03:50The stolen Ferrari Miami Chase
03:52In 2025, police in Miami, Florida were called about two stolen cars, including a 2024 Ferrari
04:00Puro Sangway. When they spotted the Ferrari, which was sold for nearly $400,000 upon release,
04:06they attempted to get the driver to pull over, which failed. And so, a pursuit began. However,
04:13the driver hit a cop car, causing them to lose control and slam into a utility pole,
04:18which sparked an electrical explosion and put a neighborhood into a blackout.
04:22Like, you know, it's like you see the GTA in real life.
04:27Incredibly, despite the damage to the car, including a wooden beam through the driver's
04:31side, the suspect, Deshawn Prendergrast, was okay and ran away on foot. However, he was
04:37soon found at a nearby apartment and arrested.
04:40It was nothing, yeah, it was nothing in the Ferrari, it didn't have me in the Ferrari.
04:42The feathery friend
04:43If you watched 2007's Hot Fuzz and thought, wow, officers having to catch birds? That would
04:50never happen in real life. Then, we have evidence to the contrary.
04:59In 2026, residents in Nashdale, Australia, contacted the police about an emu wandering
05:04in the road and being a hazard. So, one unnamed brave officer tackled this burden.
05:10Now, if that doesn't scream Australia, nothing does.
05:13Like a rematch of the 1932 emu war, which the birds essentially won, the cop chased after
05:19the animal on foot. While the emu was far too quick to let the officer get anywhere near
05:24it, the cop was successful in forcing it away from the road and into the safety of the wilderness.
05:29You could say it was very… emu-zing.
05:33It's a police officer. If you're afraid of an emu, then you probably shouldn't be on
05:37that job.
05:38The Clown Car Chase
05:39In 2016, a Brooks County Sheriff in Texas pulled over a Ford F-250 after it had been reported
05:46stolen. To start with, everything seemed standard as the vehicle complied and stopped, but then
05:51it took off.
05:53We're gonna go to 81 now. Self-bound now.
05:57The officer goes on a very brief chase in the rural area. However, when the Ford does
06:02stop in the grass, it gets bizarre. Like a clown car, dozens of people suddenly pop out of
06:09the car from every crevice before running away. A likely stunned and confused officer wasn't
06:15able to catch any of the fleeing people. But at least the stolen car had been recovered.
06:20The Cartoon Chase
06:22Everyone has seen cartoon characters on TV running around an object to escape being caught.
06:27Well, in 2026, we got a live-action remake in Kununara, Australia.
06:32This was Saturday Night, a repeat of an almost nightly drama. A dangerous game of cat and mouse.
06:40The police attempted to pull over a Toyota Land Cruiser that had been reported stolen.
06:44Residents say the town is being plagued by a group of teenagers. Stealing cars, robbing
06:50houses and vandalizing the town.
06:52However, the suspect refused and avoided the cops by repeatedly driving around a tree. It
06:58then looked like the suspect had had enough. Only to do exactly the same around another
07:03tree before going around the community. But at least the Toyota had its hazard lights on.
07:08Which is considerate. The slow yet frustrating chase for the cops lasted over an hour.
07:14The vehicle was later found abandoned and four miners were arrested for the joyride.
07:19If all this talk about cartoons and chasing has given you a taste for even more pop culture delight,
07:25then we have the best place for you. The WatchMojo 24x7 livestream. All you have to do is scan the
07:31QR code,
07:32and you'll be swept away to a magical place of non-stop pop culture delight. Grievous Golf
07:38As many people were panicking with last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve 2025, officers at Georgia's
07:45Sandy Springs Police Department were called out about a suspect at a golf course. Yet, when they
07:50arrived, the person took off in a golf cart. Amazingly relaxed about the situation, the officers looked for
07:56a cart of their own. A helpful employee pointed out the quickest one, and the police sped after
08:03their escapee. In a brief yet unique pursuit, the cops caught up to the suspect shortly after,
08:09who surrendered and was arrested.
08:11Stop the cart, man. Stop the cart. Stop the cart. Get out of the cart.
08:15Sandy Springs Police. Get out of the cart. Hands up. Hands up. Turn around.
08:19Following the video going viral, the Sandy Springs Police Department bought its own golf cart,
08:23even upgrading it with a push bumper for possible future pit maneuvers — outspeeding a helicopter.
08:30After stealing an Audi RS5 in 2011 and repainting it from white to black, Ben Westwood took part in a
08:37reported 16 raids and thefts across multiple English counties for several months. However,
08:43his luck ran out after a failed robbery in Wolverhampton, causing the police to pursue him.
08:51While on the M6 and being followed by a police helicopter, Westwood reached an incredibly dangerous
08:57180 miles per hour, outspeeding the air surveillance. While he did get away briefly and abandon the car,
09:04police dogs soon found Westwood hiding — believed to be the fastest speeding driver in the UK.
09:10Westwood was sentenced to nine years in prison, with other members of his gang receiving between
09:14three and four and a half years inside. He had total disregard from any other road user,
09:20and I'm certain that other people would have been injured or worse.
09:23LA's three-vehicle theft. Usually, during a police pursuit, cops only have to keep track of one car.
09:30Yet in 2023, it wasn't one, nor two, but three vehicles stolen in Los Angeles by one person.
09:38Here we go, going against traffic and really starting to kick up that speed.
09:42After taking a minivan, the suspect drove into spike strips, which destroyed two tires. So,
09:48they illegally grabbed a BMW at a gas station and took off.
09:51Uh-oh.
09:52No way.
09:53No way.
09:53Uh-oh.
09:54However, after being rammed by police and perhaps low on fuel, the suspect carjacked a third vehicle,
09:59this time a van.
10:01Weirdly, each vehicle was white.
10:03Anyway, the escape attempts weren't successful, with police cars and helicopters following,
10:08as well as a newscopter also watching. The officers used their vehicles to box in the van,
10:13causing the suspect to surrender. Teamwork makes the dream work.
10:18Even before he burst into action, Shep the canine was whining in anticipation of justice.
10:24In 2018, Deputy Nick Carmack and his pup were pursuing a stolen Ford Explorer in Pasco County,
10:30Florida.
10:30We're gonna be westbound on peace.
10:32Yet the suspects then crashed into a telephone pole. While Carmack dealt with one suspect,
10:38he ordered Shep to go after the other, who'd fled. After slapping the cuffs on,
10:42Carmack dragged the suspect into the woods to search for Shep and the escapee. It didn't take
10:47long for the cop to spot Shep and the runner near a house, demanding that he get off my dog,
10:53bro.
10:53Get off my dog, bro!
10:55Thankfully, he did, and then surrendered.
10:57Carmack then held both suspects until backup arrived with another pair of handcuffs.
11:02The canine is praised for his good work.
11:05Good boy, love us. Good boy.
11:08Help from the public.
11:09With all the gear armed police have to carry, it's not surprising that a less encumbered suspect can
11:15be too quick for them. In 2026, in Margate, England, it looked like one person had escaped
11:21being arrested after reportedly taking part in an assault. However, then a man with a van arrived,
11:27like the A-Team. He immediately offered a ride to one of the cops as he drove after the suspect.
11:32After getting ahead of the runner, the officer burst out of the vehicle and held up his weapon,
11:37leading to the suspect's capture.
11:39How much for your assistance?
11:40That was quite exhilarating.
11:42The officer did thank the man for his help, as did the Kent police, publicly. We can only assume
11:47this van man never had to buy a drink for himself ever again.
11:51Makes your day a little bit more exciting, does it?
11:53The forever chase
11:54It's assumed most police chases involved dangerous driving, high speeds, and end after not too long.
12:01Yet in 2011, one pursuit was the polar opposite.
12:05A dramatic pursuit played out on several major highways.
12:08In the early hours, Jason Metis stole a flatbed truck at a gas station and went on a five-hour
12:13chase
12:13with the cops across southern Ontario, Canada. Not once did the cops or Metis go over the speed limit.
12:19Instead, the police followed him calmly as crowds gathered to watch this low-risk highway pursuit.
12:25Pulled down the window, I said, let me get the lead, and I said, let me go, I'll cut him
12:28off.
12:29Eventually, the runaway truck driver pulled over of his own accord and was arrested.
12:34Due to this escapade, Metis was sentenced to two years in jail and was banned from driving for life.
12:40Fire following
12:42It's one thing for cops to chase after a stolen 18-wheeler. It's another when it's set ablaze.
12:47In 2001, Bernice Wilson stole a truck carrying building supplies and went on a joyride in Dallas,
12:53Texas. Due to its massive size, the police had to be careful when trying to stop the truck.
12:58A cruiser rushes forward with guns aimed at the semi's rear tires. Crowds even gathered to watch,
13:04including those celebrating Wilson's actions and even high-fiving him as he drove by.
13:09One officer shot some of the truck's tires, causing the rims to spark and set the trailer on fire.
13:15That, mixed with cargo flying off the truck, made this very dangerous.
13:19It's so dangerous for everybody out on the road right now.
13:22So the cops opened fire, causing an injured Wilson to surrender. In 2002, he was sentenced
13:28to 99 years in prison. The ejected pursuit.
13:33When ordered to pull over by police, most parents who have their kids in the car would comply.
13:38But apparently, not if you're Tyrese Fletcher.
13:40The incident has sparked outrage.
13:42In 2026, cops in Camden, Arkansas wanted him to stop for an alleged traffic violation. Instead,
13:49Fletcher sped away, causing a pursuit to get underway as the officers didn't realize
13:54he had four kids with him. The chase became even more dangerous when Fletcher lost control,
14:00causing his vehicle to hit a flagpole, overturn, and narrowly miss electrical wires. During that,
14:07one of his infant children was ejected from the car. Incredibly, no one was severely hurt from the
14:13dramatic crash. Unsurprisingly, Fletcher was arrested and charged for his reckless actions.
14:19It's disgusting behavior for somebody to put their own children in such a dangerous situation.
14:26Tank rampage. While he was known for his unusual behavior,
14:30no one in his neighborhood expected U.S. Army veteran Sean Nelson to do this in 1995.
14:3658 tons of war machine on a rampage in San Diego.
14:40With unknown motives, but with known personal issues, Nelson snuck into an armory in San Diego
14:46and stole a tank. Seemingly looking to cause as much damage as possible without injuring anyone,
14:52the tank thief drove over various neighborhood utilities, including electrical poles, fire hydrants,
14:57and traffic lights. The police could do nothing but watch and wait. Eventually, the tank became
15:07stuck after its track dislodged. So the police got onto the vehicle, opened the hatch, and fatally shot
15:14Nelson. While there was criticism for doing this without attempting a peaceful resolution,
15:19others defended taking Nelson's life to save citizens.
15:22If Nelson hadn't hung up himself, police said another tank might have been the only way to stop him.
15:28The brave decision. Some officers, like Florida Highway Patrol trooper Tony Shuck,
15:33take the mantra to protect and serve far more seriously.
15:36It was ultimately instinct because I knew that I was the last line of defense.
15:42In 2022, thousands of people took part in the Skyway 10k race, causing roads to be blocked.
15:48Yet Kristen Watts, who'd been drinking, drove through a roadblock and headed towards the race.
15:53After being warned by her fellow officers about the runaway driver, Shuck maneuvered her car to
15:58protect the runners, causing Watts to drive straight into the front of the police vehicle.
16:03While Shuck and Watts were injured, both were taken to the hospital and recovered.
16:08I've never been in this position where I've had to put myself for somebody else.
16:15For her incredible actions, Shuck was declared a hero and was awarded many accolades. Watts,
16:21on the other hand, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2024.
16:26The Killdozer. After over a decade of clashing with neighbors,
16:30officials, and other residents in Granby, Colorado, Marvin Heemeyer had had enough.
16:35So, for two years, he worked on outfitting a bulldozer to cause as much destruction as possible.
16:41And in 2004, he began his rampage.
16:44He was basically unstoppable and impregnable in that tank.
16:47Nicknamed the Killdozer, Heemeyer drove his vehicle around the city,
16:51destroying multiple buildings connected to those he believed had wronged him.
16:55Much of the town hall took out the library.
16:58Amazingly, no one was killed or injured during the attack.
17:01The police attempted to stop the rampage by opening fire,
17:04but the armored vehicle protected Heemeyer.
17:06However, when obliterating a hardware store, Heemeyer's bulldozer became stuck.
17:11With the radiator also leaking, the destruction was over.
17:15While SWAT surrounded the machine, Heemeyer took his own life.
17:19The White Bronco.
17:21In 1994, TV viewers, who were ready to take in their scheduled programming,
17:26including the NBA Finals, were instead greeted with a live broadcast of a police chase in Los Angeles.
17:31We are looking at live pictures of Interstate 5 in Los Angeles.
17:36While it was unusual that dozens of police cars were chasing a white Ford Bronco,
17:40it was the identities of the fugitives that made this special.
17:44NFL stars Al Cowlings and O.J. Simpson.
17:48The latter had failed to turn himself into the police in connection with the murders of his ex-wife,
17:53Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.
17:56It was the first time of the police.
17:57Oh my God, this isn't real.
18:00This can't be real.
18:01At one point, over 22 media helicopters were recording the action.
18:06After two hours, the Bronco eventually arrived at Simpson's Brentwood estate, where both surrendered.
18:12The door's open, dome lights on, he's out of the vehicle, kind of just hunches over,
18:21shuffles six, eight steps to us, and collapses in our arms.
18:26He goes, I'm sorry, I was never going to hurt you guys.
18:30I'm sorry, I was never going to hurt you guys.
18:33Have you ever seen a police chase while out in the wild?
18:36Let us know below.