Chase Suspect Climbs Crane, Dances And Falls To His Death: UPDATED

SAN PEDRO, CA — A man in an stolen SUV led police on a dangerous high speed chase to the Port of Los Angeles, climbing atop a gantry crane where he began taunting officers, dancing and stripping before falling or jumping to his death.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire Division first chased the white Subaru SUV about 3:10 p.m., but lost sight of it.

Authorities tracked the suspect as he raced along streets and the Harbor (110) Freeway, driving on the wrong side of roads and scraping the SUV against K-rails along the way before heading into the harbor area.

The suspect, wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey, drove through the terminal area before bailing out of the still-rolling vehicle around 6:15 p.m.

He climbed a gantry crane and perched himself several stories above the piers and channels on the waterfront, where at various times he danced around and lounged on his back before stripping off his clothes.

Law enforcement officers and firefighters positioned themselves below and crews, including divers, waited in boats, ready to attempt a rescue or recovery if the suspect jumped or fell into the water.

About 8:10 p.m. the suspect plunged about 160 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Amy Bastman of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

An LAPD officer said he could not immediately confirm that the SUV had been taken from a dealership in San Bernardino.

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock