Michigan Police Return Stolen Car to Owner — But Rear Wheels Torn Off During Chase

Michigan law enforcement officers used a wheel-stopping device to halt a stolen Chevrolet Cruze, but the suspect kept driving, causing the car’s rear axle to tear off completely.

Patrol officers spotted the stolen Cruze on a highway near Livonia. When the driver refused to stop, a police vehicle equipped with a “Grappler” device on the front bumper joined the pursuit. The device works by wrapping a sturdy cable around a rear wheel to quickly disable the vehicle.

In this case, the suspect apparently tested his luck by accelerating, which the rear axle couldn’t withstand. The Grappler tore it off. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Mike Shaw praised the result, noting that the device allowed officers to stop the suspects without risking a high-speed collision.

"We continue to use technology to locate and stop criminals in our communities. Thanks to the Livonia Police Department and their Grappler device, these suspects are now in jail without the need for a dangerous chase," Shaw wrote.

Police confirmed that the driver faces charges for possession of a stolen vehicle. Two other adults in the car had multiple outstanding warrants and were also taken into custody. Compared with other pursuits in the U.S., this incident is being described as one of the safest outcomes.

However, the car’s owner may still face significant losses, as the insurance company will need to step in to cover the damage. Police typically aren’t held liable for vehicles involved in pursuits.