'Fish on': Thurston County deputies cast a line, catch fleeing suspect with grappler
Olympia, wash. - A Thurston County man, accused of leading deputies on a high-speed chase, was caught on video and stopped in his tracks Wednesday night with the use of a new technology called the Grappler Police Bumper.
The sheriff's office says a Flock license plate reader in Olympia tipped off officers that he was in the area. Then, dash camera video shows how deputies used the Grappler Police Bumper system to stop the speeding car.
Deputies say Randy Rich was going upwards of 100 mph on I-5 south as he was trying to get away.
The Grappler bumper was used twice. The second attempt put an end to the chase. The sheriff's office has compared it to going fishing when you get a suspect on the line.
Dash camera video showed that Thurston County deputy working to snag the fleeing suspect Wednesday night.
"Going to be in pursuit," said the deputy in that video. "Going for a grapple at Maytown."
His goal was to use the Grappler Bumper to reel in driver Randy Dean Rich, wanted on a felony warrant.
After deploying what looks like a net, the deputy casts out the contraption, attached to a line.
After a tire is hooked, the car is disabled and forced to make a stop.
"Fish on, fish on," reported the deputy after Rich's car tire was snagged Wednesday night. You can see the yellow strap from the device attached to the tire below as the car is forced to slow down.
When Rich was arrested, court documents stated, "Deputy Sandoval asked Randy if he knew what he is supposed to do when a Law Enforcement Officer activates their emergency lights behind them. Randy replied, ‘Hit the gas’ and then stated he was joking."
In court Thursday, prosecutors argued for higher bail. Rich is pictured with his defense attorney below.
"I’d ask for monetary bail in the amount of $75,000," said the prosecutor. "Pretrial supervision should be imposed."
Rich's attorney asked for a lower amount.
"He has 20 years in Washington and Thurston County, and he has two children," said his attorney. "Our client is indigent and is not going to be able to pay the $75,000 that was requested."
When making a decision on bail, Judge Chris Lanese noted Rich's "joke" to the deputies as stated in court documents.
"Randy replied, 'hit the gas'. He subsequently said he was joking, but it’s not a joking matter. He was going tremendously fast on public roads while other drivers were around," said Judge Lanese. "I have no confidence that he will ever show up to court ever."
Lanese also considered statements from prosecutors indicating that Rich had three active warrants out for him from Olympia Municipal Court and a 2019 warrant out of Benton County.
"If he has flashing lights behind him, and he doesn’t stop, why is a piece of paper going to make him show up? If other pieces of paper didn’t make him show up, why are our pieces of paper going to make him show up?," said Lanese.
Judge Lanese then decided to set bail at $100,000.
"Keep your hands up!," shouted deputies as the video showed them arresting Rich. "Drop to your knees. Hands on your head."
While the Grappler Police Bumper may have stopped the pursuit in under three minutes in this case, the sheriff's office said it was deputies and K-9 Asher that ultimately netted an arrest.
Prosecutors said in court that Rich has had several convictions already, including for domestic violence.
The sheriff's office says an empty holster was found on Rich. After getting a search warrant, investigators said they also found narcotics, scales and baggies inside the car.
Rich's next court date was scheduled for January 21.
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