A fleeing SUV involved in an alleged hit-and-run met its match on I-275 in Livonia just before 6 p.m. on November 2, when officers fired a net-launching device from a patrol car's front bumper and reeled the vehicle to a stop. No one was hurt, and police say no additional property was damaged in the process.
The chase started with Hazel Park police, who were pursuing the vehicle westbound on I-96 and through I-275 in Livonia after it was involved in an accident and fled, according to WXYZ. Livonia police responded to assist and used a patrol vehicle equipped with the Grappler Police Bumper to stop the SUV involved, the station reports. The driver was taken into custody by Livonia police and then arrested by Hazel Park police.
Dash-cam footage released by Livonia police shows an officer tailing the SUV closely before deploying the device on the highway, bringing the chase to a halt. The Grappler works by shooting netting from the patrol car's front bumper toward the rear tires of the fleeing vehicle, according to Fox 2 Detroit, entangling them and forcing the car to stop without the need for a traditional PIT maneuver or extended pursuit.
A Growing Toolkit for a Rising Problem
This isn't the first time the device has shown up on Livonia roads. In a separate incident, the department used a Grappler to stop a vehicle stolen out of Dearborn, and the same WXYZ report notes that three people were arrested after that chase along I-96 in September 2025. That stop didn't go quite as cleanly — officers said the driver's attempts to break free after being grappled tore off the rear axle and sparked a small car fire, something police described as not typical with Grappler deployments.
Livonia police have also leaned on the tool in suspected drunk-driving stops. The department deployed the Grappler near 8 Mile and Middlebelt after a suspect believed to be intoxicated fled from officers, as previously reported by Hoodline.
How Widely Is the Device Used?
The Grappler's reach beyond Livonia is harder to pin down, with different outlets citing different figures. An InvestigateTV report put the number at roughly 120 police departments across 31 states, while CBS News Detroit cited the device's creator, Leonard Stock, saying it was being used among departments in 35 states with 1,500 successful missions. Hoodline's earlier coverage cited a growing number of users reaching 1,000 agencies; the varying figures haven't been reconciled across the reports.
What's clearer is the stakes behind the push. InvestigateTV, citing U.S. Department of Transportation data, reported that deadly police pursuits increased by 41% from 2001 to 2021, with more than 8,000 people dying in pursuits during that span. The Grappler has a reported success rate of over 70%. InvestigateTV also noted that during an earlier Grappler use in Livonia, a suspect's vehicle lost its entire rear axle after the driver kept trying to speed away once netted.
Department Touts Its Tech Investment
Livonia police described Monday's stop as another example of innovative technology helping keep communities safe, according to WXYZ's reporting. The department said it continues to be a regional leader in adopting new law enforcement technology and said it invests in advanced equipment, technology, training, and resources to support officers in situations like this one.
