LOS SANTOS — A motorcyclist, a BMX bike, and a city-wide shortage of helmets collided Thursday night in one of the most unintentionally hilarious law enforcement pursuits in recent memory — one that ended with a suspect in custody, multiple officers submerged in the Los Santos Canal, and the public left wondering if local police moonlight as a touring comedy troupe.
According to the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began just after 7:25 p.m. when Deputy Levi Clark attempted to stop a chopper-style motorcycle clocked at 70 mph in a 45 mph zone on Strawberry Avenue. The rider, later identified as Melissa Jennings, pulled into a garage near 146 San Andreas Avenue. But instead of complying, she stashed the motorcycle, mounted a BMX bicycle, and made her escape — on foot-powered wheels.
What followed was a pursuit that can only be described as aggressively low-budget. Officers from the Los Santos Police Department and the San Andreas Parks & Wildlife (SAPW) joined the chase on their own bicycles, tearing through alleyways and side streets in a pursuit that moved slower than traffic — but twice as chaotically.
The chase ended near the canal at postal 019, where Jennings lost control and launched both herself and her BMX into the water. She attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. No weapons, drugs, or contraband were found. Jennings later pleaded no contest to all charges filed by BCSO.
However, it wasn’t the arrest that captivated Los Santos — it was the spectacle.
Footage circulated widely on App V and even made its way onto national late-night shows, depicting multiple LSPD officers dramatically sliding into the canal, their bicycles following close behind. At least one officer can be seen slipping, flailing, and finally submerging in what viewers described as “a slow-motion police-themed water ballet.” LSPD officers were wearing SAPW helmets, fueling rumors of interdepartmental equipment shortages — rumors that proved true.
In a response to Weazel News, Deputy Chief Adam Vance of the LSPD confirmed that four officers ended up in the water. All bikes were recovered and declared “fully serviceable” after what he called “light maintenance.” Vance also confirmed that the helmets used in the pursuit were borrowed from San Andreas Parks & Wildlife, citing an ongoing 18-month helmet shortage within LSPD’s Bicycle Unit.
“At this time, LSPD does not possess its own bicycle helmet inventory,” said Vance, adding that the gear-sharing agreement is part of a broader collaboration between departments. Translation: the helmets were borrowed — the embarrassment was not.
Weazel News also reached out to BCSO’s Community Relations Office, which responded after concluding an internal review. In a statement from Major Dipper Slade, the department confirmed that SAPW officers were in the city investigating potential Title IX violations, which, under BCSO jurisdictional policy, allow them to patrol certain non-wilderness areas for specific enforcement duties — including maritime and waterway violations.
Slade further clarified that BCSO’s bicycle pursuit policy permits bike units to engage in pursuits only with other bicycles or on foot, and under conditions where they can safely disengage. In this case, both criteria were technically met — though the definition of “safe” may depend on whether you ask the soaked officers or the internet.
“We are proud to report that this incident concluded safely for everyone,” said Major Slade, tactfully omitting any reference to online ridicule, soggy uniforms, or meme-based T-shirts.
Despite the chaos, no injuries or property damage were reported. Just a viral video, a wet public relations headache, and a few rusted gears left as reminders of a pursuit no one — especially not the LSPD — will soon forget.
Weazel News
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