Thurston County deputies use grappler to stop fleeing auto theft suspect

Thurston County, Washington — On July 17, 2025, Olympia Police flagged a stolen vehicle through an automated license plate reader, prompting officers to initiate a traffic stop that quickly escalated.

The driver tore down highways at speeds reaching 130 miles per hour, weaving across lanes and shoulders in a reckless attempt to flee.

Deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a calculated response that included spike strips and a grappler device, designed to safely disable fleeing vehicles by latching onto a rear tire.

The pursuit ended when one deputy’s cruiser successfully deployed the grappler, causing the stolen car to fishtail and spin to a stop.

The driver, who was wanted on multiple felony warrants in King County, was taken into custody without further incident.

He was booked into jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude.

There were no injuries or damage reported to any vehicles.