A SWAT team surround the £68,000 Bentley in LA. Picture: ABC7

The police pursuit started in Universal City after the man was suspected of assaulting his girlfriend with a deadly weapon.

The Los Angeles Times said the man, believed to be of Pakistani-origin, was distraught after losing a business.

The close-cropped bearded man drove around several busy Los Angeles‘ freeways at less than 40mph before returning to Universal City.

Fox News reported that the man had threatened his girlfriend with a gun before revisiting her home.

The unnamed woman called police and the chase ensued before he finally stopped the white luxury car near where the pursuit began.

A lengthy stand-off followed during which the driver, wearing sunglasses, sat in the car with the boot lid wide open.

In all, more than a dozen squad cars were parked behind the £68,000 Illinois-registered Bentley during the stand-off.

Eventually three heavy duty SWAT vehicles boxed in the Bentley and witnesses heard a single gun shot from inside the car.

The man was pulled from the vehicle by officers and taken by ambulance to hospital where he was declared dead.