It took several rounds of tear gas, an 8 hour standoff—and a robot negotiator—but the LAPD has captured that guy in the Volkswagen Beetle, who they wanted for "threats" against the White House.


From the LA Times:

After repeatedly firing tear gas into the suspect's Volkswagen Beetle, officers pulled him out and placed him under arrest. His condition was not known.


Earlier post:

The standoff follows a "wild" freeway chase led by a young fellow who is wanted "as part of a federal inquiry into threats against the White House," which doesn't sound like the kind of thing you really want to be wanted for—hence, you know, the running from police.

Anyway: the bomb squad's robot has been conscripted to try to "coax the suspect out of the vehicle," possibly bringing him a cellphone and giving the police clues as to who might be in the car with him. This is pretty surreal, but I'd imagine this kind of thing—the use of robots in law enforcement, not dudes who don't like Barack Obama getting into protracted car chases—will be a common sight before too long. Good luck, fellas! (and you too, Johnny 5!)

UPDATE: Here's a live feed, from KTLA:

Click to view

[KTLA]