LAPD explains armored cars used in South Los Angeles taxi chase

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Police say the dangerous circumstances surrounding the bizarre chase of a stolen taxi in South Los Angeles prompted the use of special equipment, including armored vehicles.

The chase started Friday afternoon when a man allegedly carjacked a green taxi at gunpoint. The pursuit wound through South L.A. and Inglewood.

Before the chase ended in the Watts area, there were big crowds cheering him on along the way.

PHOTOS: Carjacking suspect leads police on slow-speed chase

It takes a lot of manpower, equipment and coordination to bring such a chase to a close.

Sid Garcia spoke to some of the people behind the scenes and on the front line. Watch his report on Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. above.