Bellingham Police grappler device used to safely end high speed pursuit

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A pursuit that led multiple law enforcement agencies down I-5, through downtown Bellingham and residential areas, ended after a Bellingham Police Department vehicle equipped with a Grappler Police Bumper, successfully deployed it on the southbound on-ramp at Sunset Drive and I-5 last night.

According to radio transmissions from responding personnel beginning around 11:35pm on Monday, October 19, 2026, the pursuit began when a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported a black Kia without plates was failing to stop while southbound in the 3500 block of Airport Drive. The Kia was reported to have driven down W Maplewood Avenue to Northwest Avenue and then onto I-5 southbound. The Kia was reported going 80mph on I-5.

Washington State Patrol troopers and Bellingham Police Department officers joined the pursuit as the Kia exited at the I-5 southbound exit to Lakeway Drive. A WSP trooper discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons but continued to follow at the speed limit without lights and siren maintaining visual contact as the Kia turned onto Forest Street. The pursuit resumed after the Kia was seen failing to stop for an electronic traffic signal.

The pursuit continued on E Champion Street to State Street and then north on James Street. A BPD vehicle equipped with the Grappler device joined the pursuit and took a position directly behind the Kia.

A successful deployment of the Grappler device was reported on the I-5 southbound on-ramp from Sunset Drive, ending the pursuit about 11:50pm.

The 2 occupants of the Kia were taken into custody at the scene.

The I-5 southbound lanes were temporarily closed while the occupants were taken into custody.

The Bellingham Police Department reported training on the Grappler device was being conducted in August of this year. According to WSP Trooper Anthony Reese, this was the first deployment of the Grappler device in the field in Whatcom County.