The " Grappler " aided Border Patrol agents in stopping a human smuggling attempt.
At about 1:30 p.m. Sunday Border Patrol agents received a report of a suspicious car in the area near the Gordon's Well exit of Interstate 8. Responding agents saw a yellow PT Cruiser that matched the description of the suspicious vehicle driving eastbound on Interstate 8 and then cross the center divider and go westbound on the freeway. Agents attempted to stop the car but the driver refused to yield. Additional agents responded with a vehicle immobilization device known as the " Grappler" and after a short pursuit the Grappler successfully stopped the car. It was said to be the first time the Grappler was used by Border Patrol agents to immobilize a vehicle. Inside the PT Cruiser , agents identified a 20-year old man as the driver and a 17-year old female U.S. citizen as the passenger. In the back of the vehicle were four Mexican citizens , all without proper documentation to be in this country. The driver and passenger are being held to face criminal charges while the four Mexican citizens are being held as material witnesses.
The " Grappler " is an immobilization device that is fired from the front bumper of a pursuit vehicle and lassos the rear wheels of the vehicle being pursued.