AIR7 was over the chase at about 6:10 p.m. as the suspect fled on surface streets in the Watts area. Police said the suspect may have been armed.
During the pursuit, the rider was seen using a cellphone and stopped at a gas station before driving away with the gas pump hose still attached to the bike.
The suspect later went off road and cut through a park. The rider then stopped at Athens Park, where he grabbed a jug of gasoline that had been left behind and attempted to refuel the dirt bike while a police cruiser trailed closely behind. It's unknown who left the jug behind.
It appeared some fuel made it into the bike's tank before the suspect sped away again. Pedestrians ran for safety as the rider accelerated out of the park and continued to evade officers.
AIR7 helicopter reporter Chris Cristi reported that the suspect at one point was on the phone with an AIR7 photographer while fleeing police.
Several police units trailed the suspect during the chase.
The pursuit ended when the suspect reportedly fell off the dirt bike and tried to hide in a recycling trash can. Police eventually took the suspect into custody at gunpoint in a South Los Angeles neighborhood.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.