GTA V: Wanted Level

5 Star Wanted Level in Grand Theft Auto 5

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. Unlike many previous games in the series, Grand Theft Auto V features a five-star scale rather than six.

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. 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 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.

For full details of what each wanted level means, see:

Restricted Areas[edit]

Trespassing on the following locations automatically gives you wanted levels:

Kortz Center - Going to Kortz while it is closed will give you a three-star wanted level when the player is spotted by a security guard.
Los Santos Golf Club - Flying over LSGC or driving a non-golf vehicle into the course or trespassing there when it is closed will give you an instant three-star wanted level, unless the player owns the club. In addition, when the player has yet to purchase the club, firing any rocket from an aircraft will instantly result in a five-star wanted level.
Richards Majestic Studios - Going to the studio before the mission Mr. Richards will give you a three-star wanted level.
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.
Los Santos International Airport Tarmac area - Going to the runways of the airport 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.
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. Killing any prison guard protecting the prison while inside the prison's perimeter or firing any rocket from an aircraft will instantly result in a five-star wanted level.
Humane Labs and Research - Entering the laboratory 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.
Los Santos Naval Port - Entering the secure military area at the port will give the player a four-star wanted level.
Fort Zancudo - Entering the base will give the player a five-star wanted level. Flying over it will give only two stars, although this will quickly escalate to five if the player does not move away quickly. Firing any rocket from an aircraft will instantly give a wanted level, even the player wasn't spotted by Fort Zancudo personnel yet.