Dodging the relentless pursuit of Los Santos’ finest is an art form in Grand Theft Auto V. Whether you’re weaving through alleys, diving into the ocean, or outsmarting helicopters, mastering the escape from a rising Wanted Level can turn a chaotic chase into a thrilling victory. Ready to outmaneuver the cops and reclaim your freedom? Here’s how to make every getaway count in the ultimate crime sandbox.
Confronting the police
Stars determines the usage of police forces
Sooner or later your actions will make you confront the police, who will try to pacify you quickly. Chase will end on one of three ways:
- Arrest. You begin the game from the police station, you lose all weapons and some money.
- Death. You weak up in the hospital, where you lose money for being healed. Paradoxically, it’s way better than being arrest, if you have a lot of precious weapons, because in spite of more expensive “treatment” (depending on your cash, but max is 5 thousands $), you’ll keep all your weapons. So when you consider the runaway futile, let them kill you instead of getting arrested.
- Runaway. When you lose cops, you’ll be Wanted for several more minutes. If the police don’t find you, they will stop the chase and you can return to the normal game.
Stars -Wanted Level
Wanted Level, presented as stars, determines the amount of police forces used against you. It works like that:
- One Star – the basic criminal act which begins the chase. It’s activated for example after firing at pedestrians or stealing the car. If there is a police car nearby, the chase begins immediately. Otherwise, the citizens have to call the police first. You can neutralize the caller, so the crime won’t be reported. At this stage, one police car will try to stop by asking you to drive aside. Police won’t fire at you, but if you don’t surrender quickly, it gets quickly into Two Stars.
- Two Stars – when you don’t get arrested on the previous level at once or if you start fire next to the policemen (or at them). At this stage police will fire at you and more police car joins the chase. They are more aggressive and will try, probably, to ram you.
- Three Stars – when you kill a policeman, you get Three Stars. Chase will be bigger and a police helicopter, Maverick with two shooters on board, joins the action. There will be also blockades on the road. You get also Three Stars automatically when you sneak in some crucial locations, like Los Santos airport (only if you don’t have a hangar) or port.
- Four Stars – more madness brings Four Stars. Here, you will have to stand against FIB equipped in, among others, tear gas. Policemen have rifles and bulletproof vests. You meet heavy SUVs on the road, and antiterrorists will jump down from helicopters. Four Stars you get also when you break into the Zancudo Fort.
- Five Stars – the highest level is connected with National Office Of Security Enforcement (NOOSE), who joins the chase. Many helicopters appear on the sky and all units will continue firing (even during the driving) to destroy your vehicle.
What are the best strategies to quickly lose a wanted level in GTA 5
Here are the best strategies to quickly lose a Wanted Level in GTA 5:
1. Outrun and Hide
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Escape the cops’ line of sight: Use a fast vehicle to outrun police cars and helicopters. Once you’re out of their view, hide in alleys, tunnels, or bushes until your Wanted Level drops.
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Go underground: Use tunnels, such as the one from the first heist mission, to effectively evade police detection.
2. Go Off-Road or Underwater
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Off-road routes: Head into the hills or countryside where police vehicles struggle to follow5.
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Submerge underwater: Dive deep into the ocean to escape helicopters and ground units. Be cautious of your oxygen level while hiding.
3. Use Cheats (Story Mode Only)
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Enter the “LAWYERUP” cheat code to instantly reduce your Wanted Level. This works on PC, consoles, and in-game cell phones.
4. Call Lester (GTA Online)
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Contact Lester through your in-game phone and pay him to remove your Wanted Level. Ensure you’re not committing crimes when calling him for this to work effectively.
5. Bribe Authorities (GTA Online)
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If you’re a CEO or VIP, use the “Bribe Authorities” option in the interaction menu to instantly clear your Wanted Level. This method is costly but effective.
These strategies cater to different scenarios, whether you’re playing offline or online, ensuring you can always stay one step ahead of the law!
What are some creative ways to lose the cops in GTA Online
Here are some creative ways to lose the cops in GTA Online:
1. Call Lester
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Use your in-game phone to call Lester and select “Remove Wanted Level.” This is a quick and reliable way to lose the cops, especially during missions or heists.
2. Bribe Authorities
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If you’re a CEO or VIP, use the “Bribe Authorities” option in the interaction menu. This method instantly clears your Wanted Level but requires significant funds.
3. Hide in Unique Locations
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Bushes: Stand in tall bushes to evade detection. Helicopters may occasionally spot you, but this works surprisingly well for ground units2.
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Abandoned Mine: Blow open the entrance of the mine and hide deep inside. The cops rarely enter, making it a safe haven2.
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Railway Tunnels: Follow train tracks into tunnels, where police cars cannot pursue you effectively2.
4. Go Underwater
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Dive deep into the ocean to escape helicopters and ground units. Be mindful of your oxygen level while staying submerged.
5. Change Your Appearance
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During blinking Wanted Level stars, access the interaction menu and change your outfit or accessories (e.g., hat or glasses). This can confuse searching officers and help you evade capture3.
6. Use Specialized Vehicles
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Fly high with an Oppressor Mk II or CEO Buzzard helicopter to escape detection. These vehicles allow you to quickly distance yourself from police units on the ground3.
These methods combine stealth, creativity, and strategic use of resources, ensuring you can outsmart law enforcement in Los Santos!
