Latest news with #Grappler
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Eagan police say new tool could cut down on pursuits
New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how New police tool aims to crack down on pursuits — see how Police in Eagan, Minnesota, say they have a new tool to help keep the community and officers safe when there's a need for a pursuit. Leaders hope what's called the Grappler will cut down on the need to chase in the first place. The Eagan Police Department has had nine pursuits so far in 2025. Last year, they had 23. Administrative Sgt. Rich Evans explains how the Grappler works. "It drops a net in front of the car and that wraps around the tire of the suspect vehicle, immobilizing that tire and bringing the car to a stop," Evans said. It's mounted on the front of a squad and is deployed from behind a vehicle. Officer Chris Roche is trained on using the tool. "It's a relatively simple system," Roche said. When ready, an officer activates the power, then deploys the device. Eagan police demonstrating the new Grappler tool. Eagan Police Department "Initially, you hear a lot of noise with the zip ties, like braking, and the tether stretching so the vehicle stops or begins to stop, and then you apply the brake pressure to create that distance. And then once the vehicle gets to that 30 feet distance, then you can feel sometimes like a jerking motion, or the vehicle like lurching forward from, you know, them not coming to a stop yet," Roche said. Evans worked on the funding to get the Grappler to Eagan. The install is $5,000. Each replacement net costs $400. He says it's a safer option than what the department has been using, a pit maneuver or stop sticks. "The stop stick theory is good because it can deflate tires in a controlled manner, but to do that, you have to put your officers in harm's way. Now we can preemptively work and plan. It's an effective tool to be able to get into position behind a vehicle and limit the risk of the officers and the public," Evans said. The Grappler may be used at low speeds before a chase starts, or to stop someone in a stolen car or trying to flee police. "It's been kind of a known fact for several years that people think it's a free for all, and we want to stop that. We want to actually put people behind bars, hold people accountable, catch violators and enhance public safety the same time," Evans said. Roche says during an already high-pressure situation, the Grappler can make a difference. "The advantage to this is, before we get into a lot of the unpredictability of a pursuit, or potentially before we get into that, we have the opportunity to use this tool to stop it very early on, or before it even starts," Roche said. The Grappler can also be used to stop a car during a medical emergency where there is an immediate risk. The Eagan Police Department is the first agency in Minnesota to use the Grappler. There are only a handful right now in the Midwest.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of shooting AR-style rifle at deputies extradited to Washington after fleeing to Nevada
The man accused of firing an AR-style rifle at Thurston County deputies in May is back in Washington after he fled to Nevada, leading local and federal law enforcement on a days-long manhunt. Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said on May 8, 27-year-old Damien Madison allegedly fired three rounds at deputies and a K9 during a chase that started in Grays Harbor County and ended in Thurston County. No one was injured in the shooting. Madison fled and was arrested about a week later near the Nevada-California border. The FBI Criminal Apprehension Team, with Air Support, used a Grappler device to stop Madison's vehicle, which had his mother inside. He made an initial appearance in a Nevada court and has since been extradited to Thurston County to face a judge here. Madison's preliminary appearance is scheduled for today in Superior Court to determine possible release conditions. He has been booked for: • Two counts of first-degree assault 1st with a deadly weapon • Drive-by shooting • First-degree unlawful possession of a firearm • First-degree malicious mischief
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of firing AR-15 rifle at Thurston deputy is in custody, Sheriff Sanders says
A man accused of firing an AR-15 rifle at a Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputy during a pursuit last week is in custody, Sheriff Derek Sanders announced Tuesday afternoon on social media. 'A few minutes ago the FBI Criminal Apprehension Team and other agents took Damien (Madison) and his mother into custody after coordinating a Grappler deployment on their vehicle near the Nevada/California state line with air support overhead,' he said. 'A multi-day, multi-state, multi-jurisdiction manhunt comes to an end,' Sanders added. The Olympian typically does not identify suspects before they appear in court. In this instance, though, the suspect was still at large and was considered dangerous. The sheriff's office also had offered reward money that grew from $1,000 to $5,000 during the search for him. Madison, 27, is accused of firing an AR-15 style rifle at a deputy on the night of May 8 during a pursuit, according to a social media post by the sheriff. According to The Olympian's previous reporting: Sanders said TCSO was notified Thursday that a wanted felon was heading toward Thurston County from Grays Harbor County. He said Madison had engaged in high-speed chases with law enforcement three times in six months in Thurston County. He said a deputy and K9 unit were able to locate Madison in Tenino. He was a passenger in another vehicle at the time. The driver fled and the deputy initiated a pursuit over an active warrant for Madison for failing to appear in court on prior charges. Sanders reported that Madison began throwing items at the deputy's vehicle, then leaned out the window and began firing at the deputy with an AR-15-style rifle. The deputy and K9 were unharmed, but their car became disabled. Sanders said the driver then let Madison out of the car, and he fled on foot. The driver was arrested shortly thereafter for eluding and rendering criminal assistance.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
FBI, local agencies capture man accused of shooting AR-15 at Thurston County deputy
A man wanted for allegedly firing an AR-15 rifle at a Thurston County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday afternoon near the Nevada-California border, ending a multi-day manhunt across multiple states, according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office. The FBI Criminal Apprehension Team, with air support, used a Grappler device to stop the vehicle carrying 27-year-old Damien Madison and his mother. Both were taken into custody. Authorities say the arrest followed a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The search for Madison began after deputies say he opened fire on a pursuing K9 deputy during a chase that started in Grays Harbor and ended in Thurston County. According to Sheriff Derek Sanders, Madison began throwing objects at the patrol vehicle before firing multiple rounds from an AR-15, disabling the deputy's vehicle on Waldrick Road Southeast. Madison then ran into nearby woods after being dropped off by a driver, who was arrested at the scene. A large-scale search followed, involving SWAT teams, Guardian One helicopter support, and officers from surrounding jurisdictions. Sheriff Sanders said Madison had a long criminal history, including car theft and burglary, and warned the public he was 'armed and dangerous.' He speculated during the search that Madison could be hiding in an unoccupied outbuilding or may have already stolen another vehicle. 'He has a history of stealing cars after fleeing from stolen cars,' Sanders said. 'He's also a prolific burglar, so there's a decent chance that he is in someone's shed, barn, or house, which may be not occupied.' Sanders also expressed frustration over what he said were repeated warnings about Madison's danger to the community. 'Last time I talked about him, I actually specifically stated that if the judges don't start taking this seriously, that someone's going to get hurt or killed, and here we are—shooting at the police,' Sanders said. Officials have not yet released details on the charges Madison and his mother may face following their capture.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Driver arrested for DUI after sparking car chase in Thurston County
A driver is under arrest after running from police on Interstate 5 over expired tabs. According to the Thurston County Sheriff, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) tried to stop the car because of expired tabs but decided to run. Deputies then joined the chase after WSP asked for help in stopping the car with their Grappler. During the chase, the car began to spark and fire can be seen coming from the back of the car. The deputy then pulled up close to the car and grabbed it using the Grappler. The sheriff said that after the car stopped, the driver got out and ran off. After a short distance, the driver was caught and arrested on suspicion of eluding and DUI.
