Overview

• Michigan State Police spotted the stolen Chevrolet Cruze in Detroit and pursued it west on I-96 into Livonia, where local officers deployed the Grappler.
• The device wrapped a rear wheel and held as the driver tried reversing and accelerating, and Livonia police said the axle ripping off was not typical.
• A small fire ignited during the forced stop and was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
• Officers arrested the 27-year-old driver from Brighton and two passengers, a 32-year-old woman from Wayne and a 31-year-old woman from Livonia.
• Livonia is currently the only department in Michigan using the tool; the maker cites use in 35 states with about 1,500 missions, and the department notes recent use in July and an approximately 80% rise in flee-and-elude cases.