- Police used a Grappler device to immobilize a stolen Chevrolet.
- The suspect kept driving, ripping the car’s rear axle clean off.
- Unfortunately, the car’s true owner could be left footing the bill.
High-tech hardware just ended a police chase in Michigan without letting things get to high speeds. At the same time, that’s not to say that the solution was cheap. The interaction ended up totaling the car the police were chasing. And they were after it because it was allegedly stolen.
Police say that they spotted a stolen Chevrolet Cruze around 7:25 a.m., Thursday, August 28, on I-96. The driver refused to pull over, so officers from Livonia, Michigan, with a Grappler device on their front bumper, moved in. The device employs a heavy-duty strap to lock up a rear wheel and bring a chase to a quick end.
Read: Watch Arizona Police Stop A Fleeing Car With A Grappler
Unfortunately, in this case, the fleeing driver decided to keep testing the strap, but when he pushed too much, the Cruze’s rear subframe assembly broke. Meanwhile, the Grappler held on and tore the wheels out from under the car.
Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw praised the outcome, saying the device allowed officers to capture the suspects without risking a high-speed crash. “We continue to use technology to find and stop criminals in our communities,” Shaw wrote. “Thanks to the Livonia Police Department and their Grappler device, these suspects are now in jail without the need for a pursuit.”
Police say the driver is facing charges of possession of a stolen car and violation of probation. Two other adults in the car had several outstanding warrants and also ended up in jail. Compared to several other chases we’ve seen, this appears to be one of the safest and most succinct.
The Aftermath For Owner
At the same time, it’s worth noting that the owner of this car might be in for even more pain as their insurance will have to step in to cover the damages because the police generally isn’t liable for the damage that occurs during the recovery of a stolen vehicle. On the bright side, the officers’ actions during the entire incident is a stark reminder that car chases don’t need to involve a risk to public safety.
Credit: MSP Second District
