Dashcam video shows police use Grappler to stop speeding car with children inside during chase
By: -----
Splendora, TX - Officers with the Splendora Police Department safely ended a chase with a car that had children inside using a tool called a Grappler Saturday night.
The police department shared dashcam video of the incident on social media, saying the chase started when officers tried to pull the driver over for going 90 mph in a 65-mph zone.
"When the officer initiated the traffic stop, the driver accelerated, resulting in a vehicle pursuit," SPD said in a news release.
Officers were able to stop the chase before anyone got seriously hurt using a Grappler.
"The Grappler is a vehicle-mounted pursuit intervention device designed to safely disable fleeing vehicles by deploying a high-strength tethered net that entangles a rear tire," SPD said.
Once the car was stopped, police said the suspect tried to speed off, but the Grappler kept the car from leaving.
When officers pulled the suspect out of the car, police said he became combative. Officers used a Taser on the man, and he was taken into custody.
After arresting the driver, officers found kids and an adult in the car. They all managed to get out of the situation unharmed.
"The fact that children were inside the vehicle makes this incident especially troubling," SPD Chief Wally Wieghat said.
SPD said the driver now faces multiple criminal charges related to the chase.