HUDSON VALLEY- A device known as the Grappler—a pursuit intervention tool—designed to safely stop fleeing vehicles and bring dangerous pursuits to a swift conclusion, has been used for the first time in New York State by members of the Putnam Sheriff’s Department with amazing results.
Late Friday afternoon, Sheriff Brian Hess reported the arrests of Frank Commisso, 35, of Newburgh, and Hilary Rampe, 39, of Walden, that resulted from an alleged larceny and high-speed vehicle pursuit that spanned more than 30 minutes across Putnam and Dutchess counties 24 hours earlier.
Deputies initially responded to a report of power tools stolen from Tractor Supply on Route 311 in Patterson.
Hess said by using license plate technology, the suspects’ vehicle was located at the Highlands Shopping Center in Southeast a short time later: “The driver refused to stop and fled, leading deputies on a pursuit onto Interstate 84 westbound at high rates of speed. The vehicle continued onto the Taconic State Parkway and into Dutchess County, traveling through the Town of East Fishkill before turning back toward Putnam County,” said Hess.
The sheriff said when the pursuit re-entered Patterson, deputies successfully deployed stop sticks on Route 311, deflating the van’s tires. Moments later, a deputy successfully deployed the Grappler, bringing the pursuit to a safe conclusion. Both occupants were taken into custody without further incident.
They were charged with larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, criminal possession of controlled substances with Commisso additional charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer and reckless endangerment.
Both were arraigned on the charges and released without bail pending future court action in Patterson.
Hess noted that last summer deputies were trained on the device, which was bought using asset forfeiture funds, at no cost to taxpayers.
“This is exactly why we invested in this technology,” said the sheriff adding: “Our deputies stopped a dangerous pursuit, and thankfully, no members of our community were injured by the actions of these two individuals. I’m proud of the work of our deputies, our dispatchers, and our assisting agencies.”
Members of the New York State Police aided in the capture.
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