Livonia Police Use 'Grappler' Device To Stop Hit-And-Run Suspect On I-275: Cops

LIVONIA, MI — Livonia officers used a "grappler" device to stop a vehicle wanted in connection with a hit-and-run crash on Monday, according to police.

Officers spotted the vehicle, which had just fled an accident scene in Hazel Park, at 6 p.m. Monday night on westbound Interstate 96 in Livonia, according to police.

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A police cruiser equipped with the Grappler Police Bumper arrived in the area and chased the vehicle onto northbound Interstate 275, according to police.

Dashcam video shows officers deploying the grappler, which hooked onto the rear of the suspect's vehicle and disabled it, according to police.

The suspect then pulled over to the freeway's shoulder, where he got out of the vehicle and was arrested, according to police.

"This incident is another excellent example of how innovative technology can make a difference in keeping our communities safe," police said in a statement. "The Grappler Police Bumper allowed officers to successfully end the pursuit without injuries or additional property damage."

The "grappler" is a metal frame equipped with a heavy-duty nylon net designed to tangle a speeding vehicle's rear wheels, bringing the high-speed chase to an end.

The police cruiser needs to be within 7 inches from the vehicle to use the device, which typically stops the vehicle in roughly 30 to 40 feet.