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Yet again police in Arizona have used the Grappler to bring a chase to a sudden, peaceful conclusion. This time it was state troopers who used the device on a suspect who was fleeing on northbound I-17 in the city of Glendale.
Cops use the Grappler on the wrong car.
Originally, witnesses called police after they witnessed the suspect crash into the median wall on the interstate, then just drive along the cement barrier for about 12 miles. That’s concerning behavior, but at least the guy didn’t crash into another vehicle like that.
Troopers responded to the area and tried pulling the suspect over. Instead of complying, he tried getting away. During the chase, one of the trooper who has a Grappler Bumper on his vehicle got behind the suspect, then deployed the device, bringing the chase to a sudden and controlled stop.
While taking the suspect into custody, troopers observed behavior consistent with impairment. The man was given Narcan and then was taken to a hospital for observation. The man likely is facing charges for DUI and fleeing, so he could be fighting at least one felony.
An image of the aftermath shows the suspect was driving a newer Toyota Camry and the trooper was in a Ford F-150. One interesting detail in the photo that hasn’t been explained is the front driver-side tire on the Camry is deflated. That could have been from the original crash considering it was on that side of the vehicle.
Because the Grappler wraps around one of the rear tires on a suspect’s vehicle, while the webbing is connected to the cop’s vehicle via a strap, it allows law enforcement officers to slow a car without the inherent risks of a PIT maneuver or spike strips.
But we have seen at least one incident where the Grappler didn’t end a chase so peacefully.
Image via AZDPS Highway Patrol/Facebook
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