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Video: Wash. deputies use ‘Grappler’ device to snag fleeing driver

"[Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies] successfully deployed the grappler, stopping the suspect vehicle less than 5 minutes from time of request,” the department stated

By Rolf Boone
The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.)

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Monday night after fleeing from state troopers on southbound I-5, according to jail information and the Thurston County sheriff.

Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post that deputies assisted the Washington State Patrol with a car-slowing technology called the “grappler.”

Around 7 p.m., State troopers attempted to stop a driver for driving with expired tabs, but that prompted the pursuit, Sanders said.

“As the car traveled down I-5, it began to catch on fire,” Sanders said in his post. “TCSO successfully deployed the grappler, stopping the suspect vehicle less than 5 minutes from time of request. The driver fled on foot and was tackled by troopers and taken into custody.”

The arrest was made near I-5 and Maytown.

The man was booked on suspicion of eluding police, driving under the influence and possession of drugs without a prescription, jail information reads.

This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 11:09 AM.
© 2025 The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.). Visit www.theolympian.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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