A man was arrested in downtown Los Angeles after attempting to hijack a self-driving Waymo taxi by climbing into the driver’s seat.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the incident occurred around 12:55 a.m. on January 1 near South Hill Street and 5th Street. Reports from ABC7 and KTLA indicate that the unidentified suspect ignored police orders to exit the vehicle and attempted to drive it, although the autonomous vehicle could not be operated manually.

Police, equipped with riot shields, surrounded the vehicle and forcibly removed the suspect after he refused to comply. The man eventually exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine the suspect's motives.

By Eui-Kyung Hwang

<Hwang, Eui-kyung>