Stolen Car Chase Ends With Rear Axle Torn Off
Purpose and Effectiveness of the Grappler
Grapplers are designed for the safe and controlled termination of pursuits, replacing risky maneuvers such as the PIT maneuver, which can lead to accidents. However, as demonstrated by the incident with the Chevrolet, stopping with a grappler can also be very effective and impressive.
Grapplers are supposed to give cops a safer, more controlled and less destructive way to end a chase than sending a fleeing driver into the scenery with a PIT maneuver.
In this case, the grappler not only stopped the car but also literally tore out the rear axle along with the wheels and brakes.
Beginning of the Pursuit
The pursuit began when Michigan State Police spotted a stolen second-generation Chevrolet Cruze in Detroit. The driver, a 27-year-old resident of Brighton, attempted to flee on I-96. Livonia Police, who had recently equipped their fleet with a grappler, were called in to stop the vehicle.
How the Grappler Works
The grappler is a mechanical arm that holds a strong net under the front bumper of the police vehicle. When officers approach the suspect’s vehicle, they fire the net under its rear end. It wraps around the wheels and axle, securing the car to the police vehicle. This method avoids the skids and collisions typical of the PIT maneuver.
It avoids the spin-outs and collisions that can happen during a PIT maneuver and usually lets officers bring the chase to a stop with minimum fuss.
Escape Attempt and Consequences
The officer perfectly applied the grappler, capturing the rear wheels of the Chevrolet Cruze. However, the driver instead attempted to accelerate to break away from the police. After two attempts, he even reversed to gain momentum, but this resulted in the rear axle being completely torn off.
Incident Results
Although the car was front-wheel drive and could theoretically have continued moving, the damage proved too severe. No one was injured; however, the Chevrolet Cruze will likely never be able to move under its own power again. The driver was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and violation of parole conditions. The passengers also had outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions.
The grappler demonstrated its effectiveness in one of the most impressive cases of its use. This technology continues to be refined, providing law enforcement with additional tools for safely ending pursuits. Such incidents highlight the importance of technology in police work, as well as the dangers of attempting to evade justice. However, even modern methods can lead to unforeseen consequences if offenders attempt to resist.