Police chases where the bad guys get away?

I saw that same failed police chase down the muddy road - or one like it - I think it was at night chasing some pickup that knew the back lanes; branches were smacking into the cruiser and they kept up, but had no real way to stop the guys (road was too narrow and overgrown to pull around and ram the bad guys), and they were just getting deeper and deeper into the bush with no sign of a dead end.

And I also saw on one COPS episode where they were chasing a car into an apartment complex, the two bad guys bailed and jumped a half-fallen chain link fence. The cops got tripped/tore up trying to get over it, by which time the guys were long gone into the numerous buildings and alleys.

This is one reason why I (a normal non-habitual criminal person) wouldn’t run from the cops; you may get away 1/10-100 times (that’s already a very bad average), but they’ve got your plate number and all your info within the first few seconds of seeing you, and can drop by your house or work to nab you anytime after that they want, or just wait until they see your car again. If it’s someone else’s car, they’ll tell the cops exactly who was driving it when they show up at the owner’s house. So in my mind, unless you’re driving a stolen car and/or you’re a career criminal and don’t mind living perpertually on the lam in the shadows, you’re just plain stupid to run - even if it is just for a burnt out tailight.

I think a point you might be missing is that “letting them go” simply means stopping the high speed persuit. That doesn’t mean they stop looking for the person. In almost all the cases they have a licence plate number and/or other information to work from. Eventually, they catch up with the person. Oh but what if the car is stolen, you say. Well thats true, but theres usually other information out there like a physical description or who knows what else.

Besides, many of the cases mentioned above concern minor traffic stops, 15 kids out for a joy ride with mom & dad’s car, or someone who got spooked because they don’t have their licence.

The law will track you down and you’ll be in trouble.