A wanted level occurs when the player commits a crime significant enough to catch the attention of the police.
Gangstar: Crime City[]
Gangstar: Crime City introduced the wanted level system that lives on in sequels.
When the player first commits a heinous crime, a wanted star appears. Police on foot will start chasing him. As the stars build up, the police will arrive in cars and use Shotguns. Scattered around the city are police bribe pickups in the form of stars, that erase the player's wanted level completely.
Oddly enough, if the player passes by a police car while retaining a 1-star wanted level, the police car will move ahead without stopping to chase the player.
Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A.[]
The wanted level system in Crime City was reused in Gangstar 2 with subtle changes. Getting arrested constitutes a fine of $1500. If Pedro has weapons, the player may choose to bribe the police to keep them for $50.
Gangstar: West Coast Hustle[]
The wanted level system from Crime City appears once again, with changes.
Where policemen and police cars were once seen around the city going about their business, the police will appear only when the player gets a wanted level. The wanted level display also changed to that of police badges.
Police bribes still exist, but they erase only one badge at a time.
Getting arrested constitutes a fine of $700. If Pedro has weapons, the player may choose to bribe the police to keep them for $70.