Police in Los Angeles managed to catch up with a stolen Tesla after it ran out of battery during a car chase, as reported by Fox 11 Los Angeles.
Stolen Vehicle Incident
The Tesla in question belonged to Fox 11 anchor and reporter Susan Hirasuna. She recounted that the car disappeared after she parked it near the United Theater in downtown Los Angeles and later discovered it missing after leaving a nearby concert on Thursday evening.
Low Battery Rescue
Fortunately, the stolen Tesla was already low on charge when it was taken. Hirasuna’s Tesla app indicated that the EV’s battery had only about 15 miles of range left, according to the report.
Police Response
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had received reports of reckless driving involving the stolen car. Although they considered using a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the vehicle, which involves forcing it to turn 180 degrees to stall and halt, the police opted to track the Tesla until it eventually ran out of power.
The suspect was apprehended after the Tesla came to a stop in East Hollywood. The LAPD is currently working on reuniting Hirasuna with her stolen Tesla.
Lessons Learned
Reflecting on the incident, Hirasuna mentioned that she plans to activate valet mode for her car in the future, preventing unauthorized access to the trunk and limiting the vehicle’s speed.
Tesla’s Advice
Tesla advises its customers to avoid letting their battery level drop below 20% for extended periods, as low battery levels can impact the vehicle’s performance. The company also highlights the effect of cold weather conditions on the available range of its electric vehicles.
