A tow-truck driver was tonight under arrest after leading police on a two-hour-chase through Los Angeles.
The four-tonne truck reached speeds of up to 60 m.p.h. despite all but one of its tyres being burst. The man only gave up after the vehicle caught fire
LA police said they believed the man was a disgruntled employee of the local council who had stolen the truck around 2 a.m. local time after an argument with a supervisor.
He was followed by police for almost three hours through the streets, crossing busy traffic intersections and a light rail system as the truck was followed by a fleet of police cars.
As the lorry had a police radio, the man was able to listen in as officers planned their pursuit and avoid the spiked metal traps they tried to place in his path.
Police were unable to ram the truck or blockade its route because of its weight and had to follow it until eventually the engine caught fire.
Even as flames belched from the engine, the driver waited for minutes before emerging with his hands up to walk towards heavily-armed police.
He is under arrest while prosecutors consider what charges to bring.