Random Events in GTA V

Random Events are encounters and short missions which spawn randomly throughout the San Andreas Map in Grand Theft Auto V.

Description

Random events often allow the player to make a dynamic choice and decide whether to help or hinder a bystander. There are a total of 57 random events in GTA V (60 in the enhanced version), and completing any 14 of these contribute towards 100% Completion. They start to become available after the mission Complications.

The type of encounter is often determined by the color of the dot that appears on the map. A light blue dot indicates a non-hostile encounter, a red indicates a hostile, while an alternating blue/red dot indicates something that can either be help the person or attack them. Of course, depending on the encounter and the player's actions, the color of the icon may change. Attacking the person will change it to red, and attacking the other person will change the icon to light blue.

Many events will repeat throughout the game at random, though some events, such as those that lead to named event characters (like the Hitcher missions) or the Altruist Cult shootout will only appear once and will not respawn when completed. Events that do repeat include robberies, cop chases, shootouts, muggings, and others.

Events

Abandoned Vehicles

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Smoke Tree Road, Grand Senora Desert- All characters.	A lone Surfer sits idling on a desolate dirt road near the airfield. As the player approaches the car, someone will come up from behind the player and stun him. The screen will go black. The player will wake up wearing only underwear over a railway with a train approaching him quickly. If the player gets out of a car as Trevor and quickly activates the special ability, the player can shoot the person, to which they will defensively claim they were "Just playing."	No reward.
RON Alternates Wind Farm - All characters.	The player will find a Journey parked on a dirt road in the wind farm, with a couple of male rednecks getting down and dirty inside of it. If disturbed, they'll turn hostile, leave the vehicle and try to shoot the player.	No reward.

Arrests

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Grapeseed, beside the O'Neil's farm - All characters.	The player will find a cop chasing a criminal and will have the choice of either shoot the leg of the criminal and help the cop capture him, or kill the cop and help the criminal escape.	$250 and 2 stars for helping the criminal, nothing if you help the police officer.
Senora Freeway, RON Alternates Wind Farm - All characters.	The player will find a cop chasing a criminal and will have the choice of either shoot the leg of the criminal and help the cop capture him, or kill the cop and help the criminal escape.	$250 and 2 stars for helping the criminal, nothing if you help the police officer.

ATM Robberies

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
At different ATMs around San Andreas - All characters.	A random criminal will steal the wallet of a pedestrian, while this pedestrian is taking money from an ATM. The player needs to chase down the criminal and then chose to return the wallet to the victim, or keep it.	Keep cash: Between $500-$2000. Return cash: Full Special meter and 10% of the wallet's cash.

Note: Unlike the other random events, this event will continue to spawn around the map even after being completed, allowing the player to complete it multiple times. However, it only needs to be completed one time, to count for the 57/60 random events.

Bike Robberies City

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Little Bighorn Avenue, Rancho - All characters.	A random criminal will steal the bike of a man, the player will need to chase the criminal and return the bike to the owner.	+3 Stamina stat and an email from the guy, saying that he's placed $100,000 in Animal Ark stocks in our name on the Lcn-exchange.com website.
Bridge Street, Hawick - All characters.	A random criminal will steal the bike of a pedestrian. The player will need to chase the criminal and return the bike to the owner.	+3 Stamina stat.

Note: This an easy way to make money as Michael or Franklin before The Jewel Store Job. Can be done after Pulling Favours but the email won't appear until after Friend Request.

Border Patrols

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Mount Haan Road, Grand Senora Desert - All characters.	A group or Rednecks will appear driving motorcycles and ambush the player, thinking that he is a foreigner. The player will need to kill all of them to complete the random event. They will yell "Hey you, Speaky English, Passaporto asshole!"	Up to $700 in total money drops.
Tataviam Mountains - All characters.	A group or Rednecks will appear driving motorcycles and ambush the player, thinking that he is a foreigner. The player will need to kill all of them to complete the random event. They will yell "Hey you, Speaky English, Passaporto asshole!"	Up to $700 in total money drops.
Raton Canyon - All characters.	A group or Rednecks will appear driving motorcycles and ambush the player, thinking that he is a foreigner. The player will need to kill all of them to complete the random event. They will yell "Hey you, Speaky English, Passaporto asshole!"	Up to $700 in total money drops.

Burial

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
North Point, Paleto Bay, Blaine County - All characters.	Two guys are trying to bury a woman alive. The player will need to kill the two man and then give the woman a ride to her destination.	Up to $600 from each dead enemy, and a full special bar. The victim will also give you $60,000 sometime later.

Note: If playing as Trevor, he can take the girl to the Altruist Cult instead, but will only receive $1,000.

Bus Tour

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Alta Street, Downtown Vinewood - All characters.	It's a simple tour around the city, just wait until the ride is finished to complete the random event.	No reward.

Note: Although listed as a random event, the tour is shown on the map with a unique icon that resembles a Tour Bus. It also appears from a greater distance than the usual blue or red dots. The tour is usually available during daytime hours.

Car Robberies

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Great Ocean Highway, North Chumash, near the Hookies bar - All characters.	A woman will have her car stolen from her. The player will need to chase down the criminal and return the car to the woman.	A unique pink Peyote or +5 Driving skill.
Exceptionalists Way, Los Santos International Airport - All characters.	A woman will have her car stolen from her. The player will need to chase down the criminal and return the car to the woman.	A unique dark red modified Rocoto or +5 Driving skill, and an email from the woman saying that she's delivered a luxury suit to the player's wardrobe.*

Note: Despite the option you choose (between taking the vehicle or returning it) the outcome is the same. The woman will respond differently in the email she sends you, depending on your choice. Therefore, you can take the vehicle and earn a new suit but you will not earn a +5 driving skill.

Chase Thieves City

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Hawick Avenue, Hawick - All characters.	This group of The Lost members will steal the takings of a store next to SubUrban and escape in a van. The player will need to kill them and choose to return the wallet to the pedestrian or keep it.	Keep cash: $2000. Return cash: $200 and a full special meter. If you kill the victim afterwards, you get another $452.
San Andreas Avenue, Textile City - All characters.	This group of The Lost members will steal the wallet of a pedestrian and escape in motorcycles. The player will need to kill them and chose to return the wallet to the pedestrian or keep it.	Keep cash: $500. Return cash: $50 and a full special meter. If you kill the victim afterwards, you get another $91.

Chase Thieves Country

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Grapeseed Main Street, Grapeseed - All characters.	This group of The Lost members will steal the wallet of a pedestrian and escape in a van. The player will need to kill the, and chose to return the wallet to the pedestrian or keep it.	Keep cash: $250. Return cash: $25 and a full special meter. If you kill the victim afterwards, you get another $76.
Route 68, Grand Senora Desert, near the Checkout! store - All characters.	This group of The Lost members will steal the wallet of a pedestrian and escape in a van. The player will need to kill them and chose to return the wallet to the pedestrian or keep it.	Keep cash: $120. Return cash: $12 and a full special meter. If you kill the victim afterwards, you get another $30.

Crash Rescue

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Great Ocean Highway, Mount Chiliad - All characters.	A woman was the only survival of a car accident. The player will need to give her a ride to her destination.	Unlocks a new driver to use in the heists.

Note: This random event can only be done after The Jewel Store Job mission.

Construction Accident

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Calais Avenue, Little Seoul - All characters.	A construction worker will be trapped inside a Rubble after some pipes fall above the truck and block the doors. The player will then need to use a Dozer to push the pipes away from the doors and allow the worker to escape, before the truck explodes.	+2 Driving skill.

Countryside Gang Fight

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Marina Drive, Alamo Sea - All characters.	A man will be in the middle of a shootout with members of The Lost MC. After saving him, follow the man to his car. A new group of The Lost members will appear in motorcycles and start to shoot. Kill all of them and wait until the man leaves in his car to complete the random event.	$1,000 for saving the victim.

Countryside Robbery

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Route 68, Harmony - All characters.	A shootout between the cops and a bunch of criminals will be happening. The player will have the option of either waiting until all the criminals are killed by the police and grab the two briefcases (gaining a 2-star wanted level in the process) or, kill the cops and grab just one brief case (gaining a 3-star wanted level in the process). The random event will only be completed, after the player loses the wanted level in both cases.	$10,000 if the two briefcases are picked or $5,000 if just one of the briefcases is picked. There's also up to $10,000 in dropped money.

Note: There's a way of getting infinite money using this random event. First, wait for one or both of the robbers to die in the shootout, then grab just one of the briefcases and get out of the area. If done right, the player will get $5,000 and no wanted level. The random event will not be completed, meaning that he will spawn again, and as such, can be repeated indefinitely as long as the player does not get involved with the shootout, and does not grab both briefcases.

Deal Gone Wrong

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Chiliad Mountain State Wilderness, near the Great Ocean Highway - All characters.	The player will find a group of dead criminals, who probably died in shootout during a drug deal, one of them will talk about a briefcase at the bottom of the hill before he dies. Grab the briefcase and leave the area. A short time later, a group of criminals will appear trying to take the briefcase from the player; just kill all of them to complete the random event.	$25,000 in the briefcase and up to $1,000 dropped from the pursuers.

Domestic

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Didion Drive, Vinewood Hills - All characters.	The player will find a man being expelled from his house by his wife. Just give him a ride to where he wants to go.	$80 and the man becomes a new golf opponent with a Hard skill level.

Note: If playing as Trevor, he can take the man to the Altruist Cult instead and receive $1,000.

Drug Shootout

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Mount Chiliad, Blaine County - Trevor only.	In the end of a road, north of Grapeseed, the player will find a group of bandits protecting a small farm. Just kill all of them and grab a briefcase that will be inside of a warehouse to complete this random event.	Between $40,000-$100,000.

Note: Just like the ATM robberies, this random event will still keep spawning even after being completed. However, it will only spawn one time per week (in-game), and the amount of money in the briefcase will always be random. It also only need to be completed one time to count for the 57/60 random events.

Note 2: This random event will be marked on the map, by a marijuana leaf icon and not the usual blue dot icon.

Drunk Drivers

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Aguja Street, La Puerta - All characters.	The player will find a man trying to take his drunk friend home. Just give a ride to the drunk guy to his home in Alta Place, Hawick.	$80. After being dropped off, he seems to die and can be looted.
Armadillo Avenue, Sandy Shores - All characters.	The player will find a drunk couple trying to go back to their motel. Just give them a ride to said motel.	$40.

Note: If playing as Trevor, you can take both the guy and the couple to the Altruist Cult instead and receive $1,000 for each of then. (the drunk couple also counts as if two people were brought to the cult, which means $2000)

Escape Paparazzi

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Vinewood Boulevard, Downtown Vinewood - All characters.	The player will find a celebrity surrounded by paparazzi and asking for help. Find a vehicle and lose the paparazzi out of sight, then just take her home.	$750.

Note: If playing as Trevor, you can take the girl to the Altruist Cult instead and receive $1,000.

Gang Intimidation

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
El Rancho Boulevard and Fudge Lane, El Burro Heights - All characters.	The player will find a girl asking for help. Follow her and it turns out it was an ambush by a bunch of criminals. Kill all of them to complete the random event.	Between $200-$500 in dropped money.	File:Gang-intimidation.jpg

Getaway Driver

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Corner of Strawberry Avenue and Forum Drive, Strawberry - All characters.	The player will find two robbers trying to find a vehicle to escape, after robbing a drug store. They ask for the protagonist's help. The player can either help then, if so he will need to lose an 2-star wanted level and then take the robbers to their destination, or just kill them both, finishing the random event much quicker.	If crooks are helped: $1,000 and a special character to use as a gunman in heist missions. If crooks are killed: Between $800-$2000 per enemy in dropped money.	File:Getaway-driver.jpg

Note: If playing as Trevor, you can take the robbers to the Altruist Cult instead and receive $1,000. (the robbers also count as if two people were brought to the cult)

Hitch Lifts

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Ineseno Road, Banham Canyon - All characters.	The player will find a man at the side of the Great Ocean Highway with his broken car. Just take him to his destination in less then 5 hours in-game (10 minutes in real life) to complete the random event.	+5 Driving skill and $100. Also, the man will give a tip about the Tinkle stocks, that can be used to make 30% of profit in the Bawsaq.com website.	File:Hitch-lift-1.jpg
North Calafia Way, Mount Chiliad - Franklin or Trevor only.	The player will find a woman asking for a ride to her house. Just give her a ride to her destination.	+5 Driving skill and a new Booty Call option.	File:Hitch-lift-2.jpg
East Joshua Road and San Chianski Mountain Range - All characters.	The player will find a girl asking for a ride at the side of the road. Just give her a ride to her destination.	+5 Driving skill and a fight with her jealous boyfriend.	File:Hitch-lift-3.jpg
Route 68, Great Chaparral - All characters.	The player will find a bride running away from her wedding. She asks the protagonist for a ride to her house. In the middle of the way, her groom will appear to attack the player, just lose him out of sight, or get out of the car and beat him (but don't kill him) and take the bride to her house.	+5 Driving skill.

Note: If playing as Trevor, you can take the three last characters to the Altruist Cult instead and receive $1,000.

Luring Girl Into Alley

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Supply Street, La Mesa - All characters.	The player will find a girl asking for help. Follow her and it turns out it was an ambush created by her and another guy. Kill both of them to complete the random event.	Between $10-$50 in dropped money.	File:Luring-girl-into-alley.jpg

Mugging

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Chamberlain Hills, Strawberry Avenue - All characters.	A random criminal will steal the wallet of a pedestrian. Chase the criminal and return the wallet to the victim, or keep it.	Keep cash: $200. Return cash: $20 and a full special meter. If you kill the victim afterwards, you get another $91.	File:Mugging-1.jpg
Meteor Street, Hawick - All characters.	A random criminal is assaulting a woman in a alley. Just kill him before he kills the woman.	No reward.	File:Mugging-2.jpg
Vespucci Boulevard, Pillbox Hill - All characters.	A random criminal will steal the wallet of a pedestrian. Chase the criminal and return the wallet to the victim, or keep it.	Keep cash: $2000. Return cash: $200 and a full special meter. If you kill the victim afterwards, you get another $390.	File:Mugging-3.jpg

Prisoner Lift

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Grand Senora Desert, north of Bolingbroke Penitentiary - Michael or Franklin only.	A prisoner is asking for a ride. Take him to his destination and lose the cops in the middle of the way.	+3 Driving skill.	File:Prisoner-lift-1.jpg
Grand Senora Desert, south of Bolingbroke Penitentiary - All characters.	A prisoner is asking for a ride. But turns out it's an ambush and he robs the player's vehicle. Just kill him before he runs away.	No reward.	File:Prisoner-lift-2.jpg

Rogue Altruists

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Baytree Canyon Road, Grand Senora Desert - Michael or Franklin only.	A girl is being attacked by members of the Altruist Cult. Kill the altruists and give a ride to the girl to her house to complete the random event.	$80.	File:Rogue-altruists.jpg

Shop Robberies

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Eastbourne Way, Rockford Hills - All characters.	The player enters in the Bob Mulét Barber Shop and discover that the place is being robbed. Wait until the robbers get out of the shop and go after them. They will try to escape in a car. Shoot them through the window or blow up the car to kill them. Grab the bag of money and return it to the shop, or keep it for yourself.	Keep cash: $2000. Return cash: No reward.	File:Shop-robbery-1.jpg
Prosperity Street Promenade, Del Perro - All characters.	The player enters in the SubUrban clothing store and discover that the place is being robbed. Wait until the robbers get out of the shop and go after them. They will try to escape on foot, just shoot them all. Grab the bag of money and return it to the shop, or keep it to yourself.	Keep cash: $2000. Return cash: $25% off next purchase.	File:Shop-robbery-2.jpg

Note: This is an easy way to make money as Michael or Franklin before The Jewel Store Job.

Simeon Yetarian

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Adam's Apple Boulevard and Power Street, Strawberry - Michael or Franklin only.	Enter in the Premium Deluxe Motorsport car shop. Simeon will notice the protagonists and will send some goons to kill him. Just kill all the goons to complete the random event. Simeon can also be killed.	No reward.	File:Simeon-yetarian.jpg

ATTENTION: Can only be done between Friend Request and The Jewel Store Job.

Snatched

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
South Mo Milton Drive, Vinewood Hills - All characters.	A girl is being kidnapped by members of The Lost MC. Kill the members to free the girl. Then give her a ride to her destination and be sure to kill all The Lost members that will appear in the middle of the way.	No reward.	File:Snatched.jpg

Note: If playing as Trevor, you can take the girl to the Altruist Cult instead and receive $1,000.

Sports Bike Theft

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
North Rockford Drive, Richman - All characters.	A random criminal is stealing the sports bike of a pedestrian. Just chase him and return the bike to the victim, or keep the bike for yourself.	A Bati 800 or +5 Driving skill.	File:Sport-bike-thief.jpg

Stag Do Running Man

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Route 68, Great Chaparral - All characters.	The player finds a groom tied to an electric post at the side of the road. Free him and take the groom to his house. After this go to the Hookies bar and then to his wedding in Paleto Bay. All in under 5 hours in-game (10 minutes in real life).	A Super Diamond.	File:Stag-do-running-man.jpg

Security Van Heists

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
La Puerta, between Innocence Boulevard and Alta Street - All characters	The security van will be parked in a gas station, approach the van quickly and kill the guard before he put the briefcase in the van, then just pick the briefcase and lose the cops.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-1.jpg
Little Seoul, near Vespucci Boulevard - All characters	The security van will be parked in a restaurant called Lucky Plucker, approach the van quickly and kill the guard before he put the briefcase in the van, then just pick the briefcase and lose the cops.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-2.jpg
Paleto Bay - All characters	The security van will be parked by the west end of Paleto Boulevard, approach the van quickly and kill the guard before he put the briefcase in the van, then just pick the briefcase and lose the cops.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-3.jpg
Little Seoul, near Adam's Apple Blvd. - All characters	The security van will be parked in a small parking lot, approach the van quickly and kill the guard before he put the briefcase in the van, then just pick the briefcase and lose the cops.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-4.jpg
Vespucci Canals, Prosperity Street - All characters	The van will be driving north along Prosperity Street, approach the back side and throw a Sticky Bomb to open the back doors and grab the briefcase, then just lose the cops. You can also steal the van and take it to a safe place and just shoot the back doors until they open.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-5.jpg
Little Seoul, San Andreas Avenue - All characters	The van will be driving east along San Andreas Avenue, near the Hit 'n' Run Coffee, approach the back side and throw a Sticky Bomb to open the back doors and grab the briefcase, then just lose the cops. You can also steal the van and take it to a safe place and just shoot the back doors until they open.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-6.jpg
San Chianski Mountain Range, Chianski Passage - All characters	The van will be driving north along Chianski Passage, near the guard post in the middle of the road, approach the back side and throw a Sticky Bomb to open the back doors and grab the briefcase, then just lose the cops. You can also steal the van and take it to a safe place and just shoot the back doors until they open.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-7.jpg
Tongva Hills, Great Ocean Highway - All characters	The van will be driving south along Great Ocean Highway, near the Route 68, approach the back side and throw a Sticky Bomb to open the back doors and grab the briefcase, then just lose the cops. You can also steal the van and take it to a safe place and just shoot the back doors until they open.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-8.jpg
Cypress Flats, El Rancho Boulevard - All characters	The van will be driving west along El Rancho Boulevard, near Orchardville Avenue, approach the back side and throw a Sticky Bomb to open the back doors and grab the briefcase, then just lose the cops. You can also steal the van and take it to a safe place and just shoot the back doors until they open.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-9.jpg
La Mesa, Supply Street - All characters	The van will be driving south along Supply Street, near Popular Street, approach the back side and throw a Sticky Bomb to open the back doors and grab the briefcase, then just lose the cops. You can also steal the van and take it to a safe place and just shoot the back doors until they open.	Between $3000-$8000.	File:Security-van-10.jpg

Altruist Cult Shootout

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Chiliad Mountain State Wilderness, Altruist Camp - Trevor only	After delivering four victims to the Altruist Cult, the Altruists will take Trevor as a hostage and try to use him as a sacrifice. Trevor will then need to kill all the Altruists and make his way out of the camp.	$25,000 in 5 different briefcases spread in the camp. (making a total of $125,000)	N/A

Note: This random event does not count for the 57/60.

Exclusive Events for Players Returning to Enhanced Edition

Template:Next-Gen

Duel

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Route 68, Grand Senora Desert - All characters	A Duke O'Death will be parked near a gas station west of the ownable Los Santos Customs. Take the car and a gang of rednecks will immediately attack the protagonist. They will be driving two Phantoms and three Dubstas. Kill all of them or escape to complete the random event.	Two Duke O' Deaths will spawn in the map, one in El Burro Heights and the other in Grand Senora Desert.

Note: This random event can only be done after the mission Pulling Favors.

Sea Plane

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Cave in the cove, east of RON Alternates Wind Farm - All characters	A Dodo Seaplane will be inside the cave and a group of gangsters (possibly the Armenian Mafia) will be guarding the plane in two Squalos. Kill all of them before taking the plane. Once the protagonist is inside, a new group of gangsters will appear, once the player kills the enemies or escapes, the event is complete.	Two Dodo Seaplanes will spawn in the map, one is docked at a lake in Vinewood Hills, next to Franklin's House and the other is at the Alamo Sea docked at Galilee.	File:Dodo-GTAV-Front.jpg

Note: This random event can only be done after the mission Nervous Ron.

Monkey Mosaic

Location/Characters	Description	Reward	Image
Near the Los Santos Customs in Burton - All characters	Once the blue dot appears, approach it quietly to see the street artist painting another mosaic in a wall, he will be wearing a monkey mask and a hoodie. Just get close to him until he runs away to complete the event.	The Go Go Monkey Blista will be available in all the protagonist's garages, after the player receives a text message from the Space Monkey company, thanking the player for photographing the mosaics.

Note: This random event can only be done after all the 50 monkey mosaics have beem photographed. (see Monkey Mosaics for more information)

Note 2: Purchase all three garages, to increase the chances for the random event to spawn.

Trivia

• An internet article from Daily Rag after the mission Complications, says that there's a wave of ATM robberies happening in Los Santos and that people should be careful while they are approching any ATM machine. This is a reference to the ATM Robberies random event, that keep spawning in the map even after the player completed one of them.
• Certain events, such as the Altruist Camp event and the Simeon Yetarian event, will not appear in the map for the player, as these can be easily missed, thus rendered impossible to engage in events that will not appear before and after.
• The 'Duel' random event may be a reference to the Steven Spielberg film of the same name. The movie is about a driver getting harassed by another driver in a truck similar to the Phantom.

Video

GTA 5 - All Random Events

GTA 5 - Altruist Cult Shootout Altruist Acolyte Achievement Trophy

GTA 5 - How to unlock the Duke O' Death -PS4 & Xbox 360-

GTA 5 - How to unlock the Dodo Seaplane -PS4 & Xbox One-

GTA 5 - Monkey Mosaics Location Guide (Go Go Monkey Blista) -PS4 & Xbox One-