Wanted Level in Grand Theft Auto V

For the GTA Online feature, see Wanted Level in GTA Online.

Trevor Philips escaping the police in Grand Theft Auto V.

The Wanted Level in Grand Theft Auto V is a measure to determine how much the player is wanted by the Los Santos Police Department, the Los Santos County Sheriff and/or NOOSE TRU. Unlike many previous games in the series, Grand Theft Auto V features a five-star scale rather than six.

Description

In contrast with police in previous installments, police officers in Grand Theft Auto V are much more aggressive and persistent when it comes to chasing after the perpetrator. Like other NPCs in the game, the police AI is noticeably much more intelligent; police officers are more capable of avoiding obstacles. They will also now use a wider range of methods to apprehend the player; examples include the PIT maneuver and attempting to corner and "box in" the player's vehicle. When chasing after the player in a vehicle, police officers tend to ram the back end of the player's car, which may send it spinning out of control. Like in Grand Theft Auto IV, any officer will also commandeer civilian vehicles to continue a pursuit if their own police vehicle is destroyed or becomes inaccessible. Also similar to GTA IV is the ability for police to respond to crimes committed out of their sight, as civilians can call the police on their cell phones to report crimes. While having a Wanted Level, players are not able to switch between the three protagonists (except during several missions).

Police now search for the player in the same style as in Grand Theft Auto III. No search radius is deployed; instead, the police will search across the entire map. Each individual officer has a field of view, and will actively pursue the player if they enter the field. This makes it notoriously difficult when avoiding officers in Police Maverick helicopters, as their field of view is significantly larger than a four-star search radius in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Wanted Levels

One Star

At a one-star wanted level, the player is considered to have committed a "minor" crime. The police or the army (if near Fort Zancudo) will chase the player and attempt to arrest them by holding the character at gunpoint. The player can resist arrest by fighting back or by simply running/driving away, at the cost of immediately raising the wanted level to two stars. Police cars will follow the player, but officers on Police Bikes will immediately open fire. If the player climbs a ladder, cops or soldiers will climb up as well. There will be a minimum of one police car chasing the player at this wanted level, but more cops can initially join if the player is nearby when attaining the first star. If the player enters a body of water, officers will open fire on the player. Just like in former games, officers or soldiers are able to pull the protagonist out of a stationary or slow-moving vehicle and bust them immediately.

A one-star wanted level can be acquired by committing the following deeds:

• Pedestrians
  • Running over or hitting a pedestrian with a vehicle.
  • Killing a pedestrian by means of fists, melee weapons, or firearms.
    • Note: Injuring 2 pedestrians within a reasonable time frame instantly gives the player a wanted level.
  • Pointing a gun, but not shooting, at a civilian while in sight of police.
    • Chasing a pedestrian after being aimed near officers.
      • Note: This action will cause other pedestrians to flee with the victim, which will provoke nearby officers.
  • Showing any physical aggression (such as punching, kicking, or shoving) towards a pedestrian while in sight of police.
    • Note: A wanted level is less likely to be given if the pedestrian becomes hostile and attacks the player first. The pedestrian will be gunned down if they throw the first punch or fire a weapon, granted that the fight occurs near an officer.
    • Pushing too many pedestrians while on foot (PS3/Xbox 360 versions only).
    • Pushing a pedestrian against another pedestrian sitting down.
      • Note: This action, in turn, will immediately kill the pedestrian who is sitting.
      • Walking into pedestrians by the following locations:
        • Second floor on the south side of Korean Plaza
        • On the bridge near Procopio Beach
        • On the deck of the penthouse between Baytree Canyon Road and Lake Vinewood Drive in Vinewood Hills
        • On top of silos west of Stab City
          • Note: A wanted level can be given simply by bumping into or knocking over a pedestrian.
    • Beating up a civilian's corpse while in sight of police.
      • Note: Attacking the corpse of an emergency worker or officer will result in two and three stars respectively.
  • Harassing a pedestrian in sight of police, or if reported.
• Police Officers and Police Vehicles
  • Annoying a police officer.
    • Honking a vehicle's horn numerous times near an officer.
    • Revving numerous times near an officer.
    • Verbally insulting an officer.
    • Flipping off an officer.
    • Performing a prolonged burnout in front of an officer.
    • Walking or bumping into an officer.
    • Standing too close to an officer for too long.
    • Getting in the way of a police vehicle for too long by standing in front of it.
      • Note: When standing in front of a police vehicle, the officers inside will honk the horn and command the player to move. If this order is ignored, the officers will insult the player and activate the sirens just before the wanted level is given. It typically takes roughly ten seconds for this to happen in full.
  • Crashing into an occupied police vehicle.
    • Note: A wanted level will not be given if the player merely bumps or scrapes against the police vehicle in question. To attain a wanted level, the player must crash into the vehicle with a hard enough force that could incapacitate a civilian occupant.
  • Damaging a non-police vehicle while in sight of an officer, or if reported.
    • Damaging an unoccupied police vehicle in sight of an officer, or if reported.
      • Note: Damaging an occupied police vehicle will instead result in two stars.
    • Standing on top of an occupied police vehicle, or otherwise any vehicle that is occupied by at least one officer.
  • Injuring, repeatedly insulting, or otherwise provoking a security guard or his dog.
    • Note: Guards can be provoked by committing crimes within their sight, such as fighting nearby civilians or causing other chaos.
• World
  • If reported by a pedestrian, causing damage to the world with a vehicle.
    • Setting off an explosion, even if no damage is done (i.e. firing an RPG or triggering a sticky bomb).
• Vehicles
  • If reported, stealing a vehicle not owned by the player, whether occupied or unoccupied.
    • Driving near an officer with a vehicle's alarm active.
    • Killing the owner of a vehicle with a firearm or melee weapon during or after a carjacking.
  • If reported, performing a near miss at a pedestrian.
    • Note: Performing a near miss at an officer or security guard will always result in a wanted level if the player doesn’t leave quickly.
  • Crash-landing an aircraft, but not exploding it.
    • Bailing out of an aircraft and subsequently exploding it.
  • Driving a vehicle on fire while in sight of an officer.
  • Being caught drunk driving.
    • Note: Drunk driving in an emergency vehicle, such as the Police Maverick and Police Cruiser, will always give the player a wanted level, even if no officers or witnesses are present.
  • Knocking down a large number of motorcyclists with a vehicle, or if reported.
  • Colliding and exploding a vehicle with another vehicle.
  • Continuously ramming into or attacking other vehicles, whether occupied or unoccupied.
• Services
  • Attacking a firefighter or paramedic, either by fists or melee weapons.
    • Note: Attacking emergency workers with firearms or other ranged weapons, such as Molotov Cocktails, will instead result in two stars. Strangely, attacking with snowballs may not always result in a wanted level, despite the fact that snowballs are both ranged weapons and lethal.
  • Not paying the Downtown Cab driver (Michael and Trevor only, or if the player has yet to purchase the company as Franklin).
• Miscellaneous Crimes
  • Being caught shoplifting items at convenience stores.
  • Being caught stealing money from the cashier in stores (2 Stars will be given if the player holds the cashier at gunpoint during the robbery).
  • Causing chaos in and/or trespassing the back of convenience stores. (triggers a wanted level when the clerk gives the player a second warning if they continue to stay in the office after a few seconds).
  • Driving any vehicles inside the store.

During a one-star wanted level, the LSPD in Los Santos will utilize the Police Cruiser (Interceptor), and the LSCS in Blaine County will utilize the Sheriff Cruiser. The LSPD and the sheriff will operate the Predator if the player swims or drives a boat into the ocean. Military will utilize the Crusader if near Fort Zancudo.

Two Stars

At a two-star wanted level, police become more aggressive and they will now shoot to kill. During pursuits, officers actively chase the player at full speed and drive much more aggressively, now attempting to ram the player off the road. Pursuits are also far more coordinated; police cars may now wait at the side of the road to "ambush" the player as they drive by, or blending into civilian traffic with their lights and sirens deactivated until the player draws near. Police will not attempt a vehicular arrest unless a pursuit has lasted for approximately one minute without hurting any cop and the player stops their vehicle. At two stars, a minimum of 3 police cars will be chasing the player. Officers will only shoot from their police vehicles if shots are fired from the player or if a weapon is pointed in their direction.

A two-star wanted level can be acquired by committing the following crimes:

• Pedestrians
  • Firing a ranged weapon within audible range of police, even if said gun is not aimed at anyone.
  • Commanding Chop to attack too many pedestrians or an officer (Franklin only).
  • Killing, injuring or attacking a civilian within sight of a police officer or a soldier.
  • Injuring 5 pedestrians (6 for suppressed weapons) while at a one-star wanted level.
    • Note: Killing and/or injuring the same pedestrians will not boost wanted level status.
• Police
  • Attacking a law enforcement officer with fists or melee weapons.
    • Note: Attacking law enforcement with firearms or ranged weapons will instead result in three stars.
    • Killing a security guard with a firearm.
  • Running over, but not necessarily killing, an officer or guard with a vehicle.
  • Resisting arrest, either by fighting law enforcement or attempting to run/drive away.
  • Threatening a police officer with a firearm.
    • Pointing a gun in the direction of an officer or security guard.
    • Walking near a police station with a firearm in hand.
  • Killing a member of the San Andreas State Prison Authority, usually via the Sniper Rifle, protecting Bolingbroke Penitentiary while outside of the prison's perimeter.
    • Note: Killing a prison guard while inside the prison walls will instead result in four stars.
• Vehicles
  • Stealing a police vehicle near any police station, or otherwise anywhere else in the game, while in sight of police.
  • Physically attacking a vehicle that is occupied by at least one officer.
  • Destroying an unoccupied aircraft (No Wanted Level will be given if said aircraft is owned by the player).
  • Shooting down or crashing an aircraft occupied by at least one civilian.
  • Crashing a vehicle the player is driving at high speed while in sight of police.
  • Simultaneously destroying several vehicles and/or blowing up civilian traffic with an explosive weapon.
    • Note: The Wanted Level will be raised if excessive destruction occurs.
  • Continuing to attack other vehicles after the first star has been attained.
• Services
  • Killing a firefighter or paramedic with a firearm or ranged weapon.
• Miscellaneous Crimes
  • Trespassing or driving into Richards Majestic Productions studio if the mission Mr. Richards has yet to be completed.
  • Standing on top of a cable car at Mount Chiliad.
    • Landing on a cable car with a parachute.
  • Trespassing at the Kortz Center after closure if the player is spotted by a security guard.
  • Refusing to leave the Los Santos Golf Club after a verbal warning has been given.
  • Flying over the airspace of Bolingbroke Penitentiary, Fort Zancudo, LSPD Mission Row Station, or Los Santos International Airport after a warning is given to leave (Ignoring the warning warrants 3 Stars for the police station and airport, and 4 Stars for Bolingbroke and Fort Zancudo).
  • Holding up a store. (Whilst the act of robbing a store gives only a one-star wanted level, this will escalate to a two-star wanted level as soon as the player leaves the store.)
  • Instigating a gunfight with a gang, such as the Families or Ballas.
    • Killing several gang members consecutively, whether initially hostile or not.
  • Sometimes when switching to Trevor, the player will find themselves in a police pursuit with a two-star wanted level, either on Route 68 or on the Palomino Freeway.

Vehicles: Police Cruiser, Sheriff Cruiser, Police Predator (Water Only), Crusader (Near Fort Zancudo)

Three Stars

At three stars, the police widen their range of tactics to stop the player. They will set up roadblocks with their police cars and police transporters, which may also set out a spike strip on the road behind them. All officers that spawn when three or more stars are attained will be wearing bulletproof vests. Officers will run up to the player if they are stationary in a vehicle, drag them out, and instantly kill them with their weapon. A Police Maverick helicopter will be called in to shadow the player and provide air support in the form of NOOSE TRU officers that ride on board. At night, the helicopter will shine a spotlight on the player to highlight their location to ground units. Police will not attempt a vehicular arrest, unless a pursuit has lasted for approximately one minute without hurting any cop and the player stops their vehicle; however, the police AI will likely kill the player by mindlessly shooting them instead. A minimum of four police cars and a police helicopter will be sent after the player at any given time, but when passing a roadblock, officers may get in their vehicles in order to join the chase. The Police helicopter will always stay on station until all riflemen on board are killed, at which point it will return to base; however, it will be replaced by another in short order.

A three-star wanted level can be acquired by committing the following crimes:

• Pedestrians
  • Injuring 15 (16 for suppressed weapons) more civilians after the second star has been attained.
• Police
  • Running over and killing a law enforcement officer, guard, or soldier.
  • Killing/Injuring a law enforcement officer or soldier, either by fists, melee weapons, or guns.
  • Trespassing behind the information desk, into the staircase, or on the rooftop of the police station in Mission Row.
    • Standing behind or using the police computer on the police counter inside Mission Row.
  • Shooting a criminal during a police shooting (also known as Vigilantism).
  • Shooting a firearm in near proximity of Bolingbroke Penitentiary.
  • Attacking Fort Zancudo personnel.
  • Burning a deceased officer's body with a Molotov or Jerry Can.
• Vehicles
  • Destroying a 2nd unoccupied aircraft after 2 stars were given.
  • Simultaneously destroying several vehicles and/or blowing up civilian traffic (at least three stars; the Wanted Level may be raised if excessive destruction occurs).
  • Destroying a vehicle or aircraft occupied by at least one officer or soldier.
  • Colliding into an NPC-controlled aircraft and destroying it.
  • Continuing to attack other vehicles after the second star has been given.
• Miscellaneous Crimes
  • Trespassing on the runways at Los Santos International Airport as Trevor (Patch 1.11 only; otherwise, the player will also earn a wanted level if playing as Michael or Franklin if either character has yet to own a hangar).

Vehicles: Police Cruiser, Police Transporter, Police Maverick, Sheriff Cruiser, Police Predator (Water Only), Crusader (Near Fort Zancudo)

Four Stars

A Police Maverick landing and deploying a NOOSE TRU team to engage the player on the roof of the Los Santos Naval Port

At a four-star wanted level, NOOSE TRU teams will be sent to eliminate the player. They will arrive in FIB Grangers or Sheriff SUVs, depending on whether they are in Los Santos or Blaine County. Each vehicle contains three NOOSE TRU officers - one driving, and other two hanging on the sides as they fire their weapons at the player. NOOSE TRU will also try to gun the player down from Police Mavericks overhead with their Carbine Rifles; up to three Police Mavericks may now become involved, although only two will be typically deployed at any one time. If the player is in an open spot, they may rappel out of the helicopter and engage the player on the ground. On rare occasions, a Police Maverick will also attempt to land if there is enough room to do so, deploying a team of four NOOSE TRU officers directly towards the player. Armored NOOSE TRU riot vans will also be deployed to set up roadblocks. Police will not attempt a vehicular arrest unless a pursuit has lasted for approximately one minute without hurting any cop and the player stops their vehicle. At this wanted level, a minimum of five police and military ground vehicles and two police helicopters will be sent after the player at any given time, though officers in roadblocks will also get in their cars and chase the player. Unlike a three-star wanted level, police (mainly NOOSE TRU and soldiers) will now actively shoot the player from inside their vehicles, even if no shots are fired from the player first. Like NOOSE TRU officers, normal police officers will now begin to fire at the player from their vehicles (however, on the PS3/Xbox 360 versions, they will only open fire when shot at first).

A four-star wanted level can be acquired by committing the following crimes:

• Pedestrians
  • Continuing to murder civilians and players after the 3rd star was given.
• Police
  • Continuing to retaliate against law enforcement.
  • Destroying a pursuing Police Maverick.
    • Note: It may take two or more downed units to attain the fourth star.
• Vehicles
  • Destroying a 4th unoccupied aircraft after 3 stars are given.
  • Continuing to blow up traffic after the 3rd star is given.
• Miscellaneous Crimes
  • Trespassing in restricted areas (such as Fort Zancudo or the Humane Labs and Research facility).
    • Flying low over or landing in any restricted areas.
  • Attacking and/or killing a prison guard protecting Bolingbroke Penitentiary while inside the prison's perimeter.
  • Robbing at least four stores whilst killing the owner in a row.

Vehicles: Police Cruiser, Police Transporter, Police Maverick, FIB Granger, Sheriff Cruiser, Sheriff SUV, Police Riot, Police Predator (Water Only), Crusader (Fort Zancudo), Barracks (Fort Zancudo)

Five Stars

A continued pursuit with four stars will eventually give the player a five-star wanted level, the highest wanted level in the game. The streets will now be filled with police personnel and feature almost no, if any, civilian traffic; numerous police cars and NOOSE TRU vehicles will hunt for the player and set up multiple roadblocks at a time. At five stars, an indefinite number of police and military vehicles, as well as up to three Police Mavericks, will be chasing the player, although usually only two will be deployed at any one time. Police or military will not attempt a vehicular arrest unless a pursuit has lasted for approximately one minute without hurting any cop or soldier and the player stops their vehicle. A significantly higher proportion of NOOSE TRU units will be involved when compared to four stars.

A five-star wanted level can be acquired by committing the following crimes:

• Pedestrians
  • Continuing to murder civilians after the 4th star was given.
• Police
  • Continuing to retaliate against law enforcement.
  • Killing a large number of police or military personnel.
• Vehicles
  • Destroying a large number of cars, boats, bikes, helicopters, or other vehicles.
    • Continuing to blow up traffic.
• Miscellaneous Crimes
  • Firing a missile in a Buzzard or P-996 Lazer within the runways at Los Santos International Airport or Fort Zancudo.

Vehicles: Police Cruiser, Police Transporter, Police Maverick, FIB Granger, Sheriff Cruiser, Sheriff SUV, Police Riot, Police Predator (Water Only), Crusader (Fort Zancudo), Barracks (Fort Zancudo), Rhino (If in Fort Zancudo)

In Missions

All wanted levels will be triggered by a unique crime in certain missions listed below.

• Prologue - Exiting the bank through the garage door triggers a five-star wanted level. A police shooting with Trevor taking cover after Michael and Brad got shot will also result in five stars.
• Franklin and Lamar - Completing the race with Lamar triggers a two-star wanted level. The wanted level will not increase if the player shoots and kills cops.
• Chop - Failure to release D will result in a two-star wanted level.
• The Long Stretch - Clearing all the Ballas inside the Rogers Salvage & Scrap warehouse triggers a three-star wanted level. A police helicopter will show up once Franklin, Lamar, and Stretch exit the back of the warehouse.
• The Good Husband - Stealing the police cruiser with Amanda inside the back of the car will trigger a three-star wanted level.
• Carbine Rifles - Alerting the NOOSE TRU officers inside the Granger triggers a one-star wanted level. It'll be upgraded to three-stars when Michael kills all of the officers, or gets into the Granger before killing all of them.
• Bugstars Equipment - Alerting a Bugstars employee triggers a two-star wanted level.
• BZ Gas Grenades - Stealing or shooting the back of the Humane Labs truck carrying BZ Gas Grenades triggers a one-star wanted level.
• The Jewel Store Job - After Michael and his crew members leave the Vangelico jewel store once all the jewelry has been collected, a four-star wanted level triggers after passing the bag to Franklin escaping on a chosen motorcycle. The wanted level status will be cleared once all Police Cruisers are eliminated using the Benson.
• Dead Man Walking - When Michael escapes the coroner office through the window, a three-star wanted level will be given.
• Hood Safari - Causing a shootout between the Ballas and Franklin, Trevor, Lamar, and Chop triggers a three-star wanted level. The player is required to escape to complete this mission on a Seashark.
• Cargobob - Entering Fort Zancudo gives the player four-stars, but at its reduced difficulty, and only the NPC Buzzard will chase the player after stealing the Cargobob. This does not happen if the player kills the Buzzard pilot before stealing the Cargobob.
• The Hotel Assassination - Being spotted by Brett Lowrey's bodyguards will trigger either a one or two-star wanted level.
• The Multi Target Assassination - Failing to leave the crime scene after assassinating the first three jurors will trigger a two-star wanted level.
• Trash Truck/Tow Truck - Stealing any heist vehicles will trigger a one-star wanted level.
• Blitz Play - After knocking down the security van, a four-star wanted level will trigger at the beginning of the shootout; three stars when Trevor spots a chopper in front of him. Destroying the chopper reduces the wanted level down to one-star if less than three officers remain, otherwise, the wanted level will be reduced to two-stars until you kill enough officers for it to be reduced to one-star, which will allow you to progress in the mission. Driving the Trashmaster away from the scene as Franklin clears all wanted level status.
• Eye in the Sky - If Chad Mulligan is spared and left alive instead of killed by Franklin, Chad will report the Z-Type stolen, therefore granting the player a two-star wanted level.
• The Vice Assassination - Failing to leave the crime scene after assassinating the target may result in a wanted level.
• The Paleto Score - After robbing the Blaine County Savings Bank in Paleto Bay, a five-star wanted level will be triggered. All military personnel are present during the shooting.
• Pack Man - Triggers a two-star wanted level once the player drives to their current destination half-way, requiring Franklin to protect the stolen cars from the police using the JB 700. The wanted level will be upgraded to three-stars after switching to Franklin, and will go away after clearing all cops in the path.
• Architect's Plans - Shooting and killing Chip Peterson holding the briefcase will trigger a three-star wanted level.
• Fire Truck - Stealing a Fire Truck triggers a one-star wanted level.
• Legal Trouble - Chasing Molly with her police escort triggers a two-star wanted level. Three-stars when entering LSIA.
• The Bureau Raid - Roof Entry: Choosing an inexperienced driver in a Burrito will trigger a four-star wanted level. Choosing an experienced driver in an Ambulance, but shooting weapons when leaving the scene, will also trigger four-stars.
• Driller - Being spotted by security guards and employees or alerting them will trigger a two-star wanted level.
• The Big Score
  • Subtle Approach: Once the gold has been successfully loaded up in four Gauntlets, a five-star wanted level will be triggered until escaping to the freeway tunnels for two Packers with trailers to load up the vehicles.
  • Obvious Approach: Switching to Michael or Franklin after escaping with Trevor and the chosen driver will trigger a five-star wanted level, the most difficult to escape from the police unless the player chooses a hiding place, such as tunnels.
• The Third Way - Killing Steve Haines will trigger a two-star wanted level.

Restricted Areas

There are several restricted areas in GTA V that are off-limits to the protagonists and will automatically grant the player a wanted level should they trespass within. While inside any of these areas, the Lower Wanted Level cheat will not function, and the player will be unable to lose their heat unless they leave the area. Restricted areas include:

• Fort Zancudo - Entering the base will give the player a four-star wanted level. Flying over it will give only two stars, although this will quickly escalate to four if the player does not move away quickly. Firing any rocket from an aircraft will instantly result in a five-star wanted level.
• Bolingbroke Penitentiary - Entering the prison will give the player a four-star wanted level. Flying over it will give only two stars, although this will quickly escalate to four if the player does not move away quickly.
• Humane Labs and Research - Entering the laboratory will give the player a four-star wanted level.
• Los Santos Golf Club - In singleplayer, flying over the club, trespassing after hours, or driving a vehicle other than the Caddy and Lawn Mower on the golf course itself will give the player a two-star wanted level, unless the player owns the club.
• Los Santos Naval Port - Entering the secure military area at the port will give the player a four-star wanted level.
• Los Santos International Airport - Driving onto the airport tarmac will give the player a three-star wanted level. Flying over it will warrant two stars, but will escalate to three if the player doesn't move away quickly. Firing any rocket from an aircraft into the runway will instantly result in a five-star wanted level. However, if Michael and/or Franklin purchase an aircraft hangar, they will be able to access the airport without a wanted level. As Trevor cannot purchase a hangar at Los Santos International, he will always gain a wanted level.
• Kortz Center - Entering the Center whilst it is closed will earn the player a one-star wanted level.
• Backlot City - Entering the studio will give the player a two-star wanted level. However, after the mission Mr. Richards, all three characters can enter the area without restriction.
• Mission Row Police Station - Going behind the front desk or trespassing the staircase or the rooftop will give the player a three-star wanted level. Flying over the police station will warrant two stars, but will escalate to three if the player doesn't move away quickly or lands on the roof.

Military

While the military will never be called in to pursue the player, military personnel may become involved in the chase if it occurs near Fort Zancudo. Typically this involves soldiers in Crusaders and Barracks, who will give chase to the player and attempt to arrest them in GTA V, although they will shoot the player if they resist arrest. On the base itself, military personnel will shoot to kill. If an aircraft is hijacked in base or the player is flying one of them, any soldiers will fire a Rocket Launcher at the aircraft. Any patrolling Rhino tanks will also become involved and may exit the base to join the pursuit if the player stays too close for too long, using their cannons to try and quickly kill the player.

In-game instruction

In the mission Franklin and Lamar, when the player gets a wanted level for the first time, the following instructions will appear:

• Your Wanted Level is shown by the number of stars on screen, one or more stars and the Cops will be alerted.
• The Radar flashes red and blue when the Cops can see you.
• When out of sight of the Cops, the Wanted Stars will flash and cones will appear on the Radar to show the area they are searching.
• To lose a Wanted Level, stay out of the cones until the Cops call off the search. Hide in alleys or in the dark to stay out their sight.

Escaping a Wanted Level

Rail and tunnel map of Grand Theft Auto V.

To escape a wanted level, the player must stay out of sight of the police pursuers (in the "cone search mode") for a period of time (the length of time depends on the severity of the wanted level). When the wanted stars in the corner of the screen are flashing, it means the player is out of sight. The slower they are flashing, the closer the player is to escaping. If a police pursuer spots the player and the chase reverts to active mode, the escape timer will reset.

The player can reduce their wanted level by one star by changing their appearance - this can be done by putting on or taking off a mask or sunglasses while the search is in "search cone" mode. This will mean they have less time to wait out the search.

Failure to escape will result in the player either being arrested or killed. If the player is within a block radius of their Personal Vehicle, their vehicle will be impounded.

Using the railway system is perhaps the easiest way to escape because the police have a hard time following the player on rail. They will not drive on the tracks and will only follow on foot into railway tunnels (where they can be sniped before they trigger detection).

Achievements/Trophies

Main article: Achievements and Trophies in GTA V

Soundtracks

Main article: Wanted Level in GTA V/Soundtracks

Many different scores, at random, can play during wanted levels, with growing intensity as wanted stars are gained. These soundtracks will begin to play shortly after obtaining at least 3 wanted stars, and will play when on foot or in a vehicle without the radio on. These soundtracks only play when Music Volume is active. Some soundtracks are specific to the area; wanted soundtracks in Blaine County differ from those in Los Santos County.

The soundtracks have several phases, including the cooldown zone, and each soundtrack has special stems which play when the player is hidden or losing their wanted level. A special sound effect also plays when the player loses their wanted level.

Wanted level soundtracks overrule the flying soundtrack, which plays while in an aircraft, but do not overrule mission soundtracks.

The wanted level soundtracks, like regular mission soundtracks or radio music, do not play in the Rockstar Editor. Wanted level tracks also do not play in Director Mode.

Trivia

• Unlike previous games in the series, saving the game will not clear the wanted level, and when loading the game it will reappear, particularly a quick save.
• If the player is in a vehicle and being chased by the police, civilians may occasionally help the police by either attempting to ram the player's vehicle off the road, or by blocking the player's path.
  • Similarly, if one disables a police vehicle but does not kill the police officers, the officers may commandeer a civilian car to continue the pursuit.
• The cone shapes on the radar during a wanted level are comparable to the police search mechanic first seen in the Driver series. It is also similar to the Wanted Level system in Bully, another Rockstar game.
• It is possible to lose the cops by hiding in bushes, around trees and entering the tram (if in a bush, be wary that helicopters will still shoot at the player even if they are out of sight of the police).
• Should the player gain a wanted level during a mission, they will be prompted to lose it and the mission will be suspended until the wanted level is lost. It is however, possible to quickly disable the wanted level using the lower wanted level cheat code since the game does not discourage the player from activating this cheat during missions.
• NOOSE TRU teams and Security Guards do not attempt to arrest the player, but security guards will shoot at them even if they have a one-star wanted level. Unlike Grand Theft Auto IV, NOOSE TRU teams could arrest the player.
  • However at a one-star wanted level, security guards will cease fire when police officers arrive at the scene to arrest the player, although this occurs only in GTA V.
  • NOOSE TRU teams will back away from the player and will not arrest the player if they have a one-star wanted level. If the player is in a vehicle, NOOSE TRU will pull them out instead of arresting them.
• If Michael enters his house or Trevor enters his strip club with a wanted level of at least two stars, anyone inside (Michael's family and/or the strip club staff) will evacuate the building.
• If the player is hanging out with one of the main protagonists and they have a wanted level, the other two protagonists will fire upon the police to get them away from whomever the player is controlling. Other friends (except for Amanda) will simply stick their middle finger at the police and insult them.
• The LSSD (Los Santos County Sheriff's Department) have no differences with the LSPD in driving and gunfight tactics, despite Lester claiming that the latter officers receive better training in Paleto Score Setup.
• The San Andreas Highway Patrol will pursue the player using Police Bikes and shoot players with their pistol even if having only one star. Notice that they do not appear normally during pursuits, and only chase the player if roaming near a spawn point (such as near a highway).
• If the player is on the road with a wanted level, police vehicles will sometimes spawn ahead on the road either slowly driving or remaining stationary, with their lights and sirens off. This replicates a normal patrolling vehicle that is not aware of the player's approach but has the side-effect of causing players to confuse the police vehicles with other civilian vehicles in the traffic.
• It is possible for the player to escape the police in locations that would appear to be easily accessible to the pursuers. For example, the police will very rarely chase a player into the subway construction tunnel leading off the Del Perro Freeway under the Alta Street overpass.
• Should the player be in a stationary vehicle whilst out of sight of the police, the protagonist inside can be seen looking around anxiously until the police spot the player or give up.
• In the enhanced version, the police or the army will drive-by shoot at the player if they fire at the police while in a vehicle.

See Also

• Wanted Level in 3D Universe
• Wanted Level in GTA IV
• Wanted Level in GTA Chinatown Wars
• Wanted Level in GTA Online