Los Angeles – Chaos reigned in the heart of downtown Los Angeles this afternoon as Jason “Reaper” Tabbal, the central figure in the ongoing ‘Crank’ investigation, engaged in a prolonged and increasingly dangerous vehicle pursuit. Authorities are still attempting to apprehend Tabbal, who remains at large following a series of escalating incidents involving illegal drug production and violent confrontations.

The pursuit began shortly after 2:30 PM PST when Tabbal, reportedly attempting to evade local narcotics officers, commandeered a vintage 1967 Ford Mustang convertible and began driving it through the heavily congested streets of the city center. Witnesses described a scene of utter pandemonium, with the Mustang weaving erratically through traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions with pedestrians, parked vehicles, and several city buses. The vehicle, identified as a heavily modified model with an extended wheelbase and significant engine modifications, was seen spinning repeatedly, performing a series of increasingly improbable maneuvers.

“It was… intense,” stated Maria Sanchez, a food vendor operating a cart near Grand Central Market. “I’ve seen a lot of crazy things in this city, but this was something else. He was just… spinning the wheels, going sideways, almost hitting a hot dog stand! I thought he was going to end up in a pile of sauerkraut.”

The pursuit stretched for nearly 45 minutes, covering approximately eight miles of downtown streets, including a brief stint on the elevated freeway system. Police deployed spike strips in an attempt to disable the vehicle, but Tabbal reportedly demonstrated an uncanny ability to avoid them. At one point, the Mustang appeared to briefly lift off the ground, reportedly due to a modified nitrous oxide system.

“Look, he’s not playing games,” Sergeant Miller, the lead officer on the scene, stated during a brief press conference. “This guy is operating under extreme duress. We’re dealing with a significant amount of controlled substances and a level of desperation that’s… concerning. We’re prioritizing the safety of the public and, frankly, our own well-being.”

As of this report, the Mustang has been abandoned in a vacant lot near Union Station. Authorities are currently investigating the vehicle for forensic evidence and attempting to trace Tabbal’s movements. The investigation continues, and the city remains on high alert.