Has another experience this? I'm playing a reloaded save. As I drive around the city, the crime prevention system activates seemingly by random.

I hide and lose this Wanted Star, but as soon as I go out again, the crime system activates. It seems I'm permanently marked as criminal?

I just figured out what's happening. It's actually not the police being zealous - it's the Arasaka Turrets that pop up around the city that are attacking you when you pass by. They're extremely zealous for some reasons and trigger a wanted level.

youtube.com/watch?v=v3mqXuCeJq4