Aurora Police Use Grappler Device to Stop Stolen Car

New bumper-mounted tool helps officers end pursuit without PIT maneuver

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:07pm

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Aurora police used a new Grappler bumper device to stop a stolen car after spotting it in a McDonald's drive-thru. The Grappler, which fires a high-strength nylon tether to wrap around a fleeing car's rear tire, allowed officers to safely bring the vehicle under control without resorting to a dangerous PIT maneuver. The department had spent weeks training on the new tool before deploying it for the first time in this incident, leading to the arrest of a 44-year-old Denver man with a history of motor vehicle theft.

Why it matters

The Grappler device represents a new technology that law enforcement agencies across Colorado and the U.S. are adopting to provide a safer alternative to high-risk vehicle pursuit tactics like the PIT maneuver. By allowing officers to disable a fleeing car without the potential for a broadside collision, the Grappler aims to reduce the danger to both suspects and the public during chases.

The details

After Aurora's Real Time Information Center spotted a stolen car in a McDonald's drive-thru, officers pursued the vehicle, which briefly crossed into Denver before circling back. Police then used the Grappler, a front-mounted device that fires a heavy-duty net and tether to wrap around the rear tire of the fleeing car, to safely bring the chase to an end near East Iliff Avenue and East Cherry Creek Drive. The driver, 44-year-old Roberto Vicente Segura of Denver, was arrested at the scene without further incident. Segura had four previous arrests related to motor vehicle theft.

  • On April 1, 2026, Aurora police spotted the stolen car in a McDonald's drive-thru shortly before 11 p.m.
  • The pursuit briefly crossed into Denver before circling back to Aurora.
  • Police used the Grappler device to stop the car near East Iliff Avenue and East Cherry Creek Drive.

The players

Aurora Police Department

The law enforcement agency in Aurora, Colorado that deployed the Grappler device to stop the stolen car.

Roberto Vicente Segura

A 44-year-old Denver resident who was arrested for driving the stolen car, with a history of four previous motor vehicle theft-related arrests.

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What’s next

The Aurora Police Department has not released additional details on potential charges against Roberto Vicente Segura. The department's use of the Grappler device in this incident is expected to undergo a thorough after-action review as part of the department's policy for deploying new pursuit-ending technologies.

The takeaway

The successful use of the Grappler device by Aurora police highlights how law enforcement agencies are adopting new technologies to provide safer alternatives to high-risk vehicle pursuit tactics. By allowing officers to disable a fleeing car without the potential for a broadside collision, the Grappler aims to reduce the danger to both suspects and the public during chases.