Clark County Sheriff's deputy uses grappler to end a high-speed pursuit
By: -----
Vancouver, Wa - The Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) has a new device that will help its deputies safely stop high-speed pursuits. It's called the "Grappler Police Bumper," and earlier this week, it was deployed successfully during a chase in Vancouver.
The Grappler deploys a spring-loaded net from the patrol car's front bumper, CCSO said, which ensnares the rear wheel of a suspect vehicle and wraps around the axle. It stops the fleeing vehicle safely in just seconds.
The successful deployment of the device happened on Thursday, ending a high-speed chase in Vancouver. The chase started around 1 a.m. after Vancouver police officers used spike strips to try and stop a vehicle from fleeing.
A CCSO sergeant heard the radio call and saw the suspect vehicle driving recklessly and jump a curb. Despite multiple flat tires, the car kept driving at high speeds towards Northeast Plain Boulevard. The sergeant pursued the car and got close enough to launch the Grappler, which stopped the suspect vehicle and ended the high-speed pursuit.
The driver got out of the car and ran, but was apprehended shortly after by police, CCSO said.