Wanted Man Arrested After Encountering Officers at Restaurant

<p>A wanted man in California escaped officers twice by running onto a freeway but was arrested after entering a Panda Express where the same officers were eating lunch, according to police.</p><p>Officers from the Monrovia Police Department recognized the man when he entered the restaurant and arrested him, concluding a month-long effort to apprehend him on a no-bail felony probation warrant.</p><p>Body camera footage of the incident shows two officers sitting and eating inside the restaurant before taking the suspect, who has not been identified, to the ground.</p><p>The incident occurred on July 17, but police released video of the arrest on August 29. In the video, the suspect asks the officers, "What did I do?" One officer replies, "You've been wanted. You've been running from me for like a month."</p><p>Police stated that officers had previously attempted to arrest the man on two separate occasions while he was out walking, but he managed to evade them by running onto the freeway.</p><p>The arrest occurred while the officers were on a lunch break at Panda Express when the wanted man approached them. The department humorously commented, "At this point, we're not sure if it was good police work, bad timing, or the irresistible smell of chow mein. Either way, an arrest was made." The officers reportedly returned to finish their meal after the arrest.</p><p>The Monrovia Police Department indicated that its social media post and the accompanying footage serve as its public statement on the incident and that no further information would be provided at this time.</p>