A man who tried to hijack a self-driving taxi was arrested in downtown LA, police said

The concept of Waymo's self-driving taxi can be confusing, but one thing is clear: You don't need to get behind the wheel.

That's what one man learned Thursday morning when he was arrested in downtown Los Angeles after allegedly trying to drive a Waymo car, police said.

Officers responded to a report of an attempted carjacking near the intersection of 5th and Hill Street at 12:26 a.m., LAPD Chief Drake Madison said. An unknown man got into the car from the front seat and then into the driver's seat, according to police.

Video from the OC Hawk telephone service shows a bearded man sitting in a self-driving car, sticking his head out and talking to the police. Police said the suspect appeared to be intoxicated.

The suspect refused to get out of the car when the police approached behind the riot barrier. At least one weapon was fired. Video of the incident, first reported by news station KTLA, shows a large beverage can on top of the car, but it is not clear if it is the man or the person who called Waymo's service.

The suspect was released from the scene, according to Madison, and the vehicle was not running.