Deputy Uses Batman-Like Grappler To Stop Woman Fleeing In Stolen Truck With Baby Inside

A Thurston County deputy deployed a grappler system to end a high-speed chase early on April 30.

The incident began around 6:30 a.m. after Olympia police received reports of an auto theft in progress. Officers and deputies spotted the stolen truck on I-5 and tried to pull it over, but the vehicle sped away.

The pursuit continued through a construction zone. A deputy first spiked the truck before a sergeant used the grappler device mounted on a patrol vehicle to bring the truck to a safe stop.

“Initially, deputies set up for a standard high-risk stop with K9 Asher,” Sanders said. “After the suspect exited the vehicle deputies observed her holding a baby.”

Deputies put K9 Asher away and intervened directly. The woman and the baby were taken into custody safely.

The suspect was turned over to the Olympia Police Department on suspicion of auto theft, eluding and reckless endangerment of a child, domestic violence. Sanders shared details of the event around 4 p.m. that day.