Observe a SWAT vehicle attempting to terminate a semi truck police pursuit by colliding with it.

      ABC7 Los Angeles/Youtube

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      In recent decades, tactical units within law enforcement have equipped themselves with larger and more robust vehicles aimed at avoiding or swiftly resolving standoffs with potentially dangerous individuals. However, a California SWAT team discovered that regardless of how large, intimidating, or heavily fortified their vehicle may be, there will always be someone out there with something even larger—in this case, the tractor section of a semi-truck.

      This chase in Orange County unfolded over nearly an hour on Wednesday as police tried to apprehend two men fleeing in what appears to be an International LT cab. Later in the chase, the suspects slow down to retrieve what looks like a key fob or thumb drive from the roof of a parked Hyundai Tucson. The police seize the opportunity during their slowdown to act. Below is a shorter version of the video that begins at the most engaging moment.

      With the semi-tractor now ahead, the SWAT truck charges toward the side of the cab as the suspects enter a parking lot. The impact is strong enough to displace the semi's tires, causing it to slide sideways into the back of a parked SUV. Credit goes to the Pacifica driver for engaging the parking brake, but it only manages to hold for about half a second. Despite the force of the impact, the tractor remains unfazed and, pardon the pun, continues trucking on.

      However, if you observe closely, you'll notice some damage from the collision. As the semi drives away from the SWAT truck, fluid can be seen leaking onto its tires, leaving a wet mark on the pavement. This indicates that the impact punctured one of the International's external fuel tanks. When the truck returns to a surface street, it continues to lose fuel intermittently while the suspects flee.

      Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on one's perspective, the chase concludes far less dramatically than this situation implies. Just five minutes later, the duo finds themselves surrounded by police at a busy intersection. With no escape route, they surrender without resistance.

      While this chase doesn't even rank in the top five of the most bizarre police pursuits we've seen lately, it's not every day you witness a personnel carrier collide with its intended target. Enjoy it while you can.

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