The wild scene unfolded when Tempe police released body cam footage showing officers finally catching up to a runaway Corvette clocked at a blistering 142 mph through city streets. Grainy footage from September 9th shows the pale C8 Stingray screaming across the Mill Avenue Bridge, engine howling over Tempe Town Lake. The driver, later identified as Mazen Alassmari, was reportedly filming his own joyride at the time, even as residents called 911 with complaints about the noise.
Night One: A Clean Getaway
On the first night, motorcycle officers tried flagging him down, but the driver blew past and ran every red light in his path before disappearing into the night entirely uncaught.
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Night Two: The Grappler Ends It
The next evening, police say the same reckless behavior repeated itself. Only this time, patrol units deployed a grappler, a device that hooks a car’s rear wheel and brings it to a controlled stop without a high-speed crash. There was no dramatic collision this time, just an abrupt end to the chase as Alassmari was taken into custody and his Corvette was towed away.
Why Police Are Highlighting This Specific Tool
The Tempe Police Department later shared the footage specifically to highlight the grappler technology, which is designed to end dangerous pursuits more safely than traditional methods like spike strips or PIT maneuvers that can send a vehicle spinning unpredictably.
This whole episode is a reminder of what happens when drivers treat public roads like their personal speedway, especially in downtown zones packed with pedestrians who never signed up to be part of anyone’s joyride.