By Shawn Henry 
Dashcam video released by the Splendora Police Department is drawing renewed scrutiny over how police handle high-speed pursuits, especially when children are inside a fleeing vehicle.
The incident unfolded Saturday night after officers attempted to stop a driver traveling about 90 mph in a 65-mph zone. Police say the driver did not comply and instead accelerated, triggering a vehicle pursuit. As speeds climbed, officers became aware that children were inside the car, adding urgency and complexity to the situation.
To bring the chase to an end, officers deployed a Grappler, a vehicle-mounted device designed to stop fleeing cars by tangling a net around a rear tire. The maneuver successfully disabled the vehicle before a serious crash occurred. Dashcam footage shows the car slowing and eventually stopping after the device was engaged.
Police said the driver attempted to flee again even after the vehicle was immobilized, but the Grappler prevented further movement. When officers moved in to take the driver into custody, they reported that he resisted and became combative. A Taser was used to subdue him before he was arrested.
Following the arrest, officers discovered multiple children and another adult inside the vehicle. Authorities later confirmed that everyone involved exited the incident without physical injuries. However, officials acknowledged that the presence of children during a high-speed pursuit significantly escalated the danger.
The department stated that the driver now faces multiple criminal charges connected to the chase. While officials emphasized that the Grappler prevented a potentially catastrophic outcome, the incident has ignited debate about whether such pursuits should continue when minors are at risk.
Supporters of the tactic argue that the Grappler offers a safer alternative to extended chases, reducing the likelihood of crashes involving bystanders. Critics, however, question whether deploying intervention tools against vehicles carrying children introduces its own risks, even when the intent is to prevent harm.
This is not the first time Grapplers have been used in the region. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office previously adopted the technology after receiving state funding, signaling a broader shift toward mechanical pursuit-ending tools.
As more agencies turn to devices like the Grappler, the Splendora incident underscores a difficult reality for law enforcement: balancing public safety, suspect accountability, and the lives of vulnerable passengers caught in the middle of dangerous decisions.
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