THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — A new device is making it near-impossible to outrun Thurston County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Sheriff Derek Sanders shared video online of a grappler-vehicle in action:
Grappler DeploymentFISH ON: TCSO DEPLOYS GRAPPLER TO CAPTURE WANTED DRUG DEALER Last night, Olympia Police Department received a Flock LPR hit on a vehicle operated by a drug dealer they were searching for who was known to be armed with a handgun. Olympia Officers followed the suspect down I5 and requested assistance from TCSO with a Grappler unit. Unfortunately for this particular drug dealer, TCSO had 20+ deputies, multiple K9’s, and multiple grappler equipped vehicles on patrol tonight. TCSO attempted a traffic stop and the driver fled, at which point I authorized a pursuit. The driver exited onto Maytown Rd and then down Case Rd when the grappler was successfully deployed, immobilizing the suspect and ending the pursuit 2 minutes and 25 seconds in. No damage was done to the patrol vehicle. The driver was taken into custody with the help of K9 Asher. An empty holster was located on him along with visible drug paraphernalia in the car. A search warrant was granted, which yielded narcotics, scales, and baggies inside the vehicle. One of our deputies asked the suspect what you’re supposed to do when the police activate their lights, to which he replied “hit the gas”. The suspect had multiple warrants out for his arrest, to include a felony DOC escape warrant and warrants for violating a domestic violence protection order. He has been booked into Thurston County jail for his warrants, possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, and attempting to elude. The odds of being a successful drug dealer in Thurston County are becoming slimmer with every passing day, but those odds get even lower when your getaway car is a Prius. Solid teamwork across the board tonight, great job by OPD for locating this individual to help get another drug dealer off our streets.
Posted by Sheriff Sanders on Thursday, January 9, 2025
On Wednesday night, the Olympia Police Department received word that an alleged drug dealer was in the area that they’d been looking for.
The sheriff says the man was known to carry a gun, so police asked his department for backup.
Olympia officers followed the man down Interstate 5 until deputies could arrive.
They tried to pull the man over, but he refused and a chase began.
The sheriff says the man exited onto Maytown Road and drove down Case Road where he deployed the grappler, ending the pursuit in about two and a half minutes.
The driver was taken into custody with the help of a K9.
Inside the car, deputies found an empty gun holster and some drug paraphernalia.
“One of our deputies asked the suspect what you’re supposed to do when the police activate their lights, to which he replied “hit the gas,”' Sheriff Sanders said in his post.
The man has multiple warrants out for his arrest including a felony DOC escape warrant and warrants for violating a domestic violence protection order.
He has been booked into Thurston County jail for his warrants, possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, and attempting to elude.
“The odds of being a successful drug dealer in Thurston County are becoming slimmer with every passing day, but those odds get even lower when your getaway car is a Prius,” Sheriff Sanders said.
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