PORTLAND, Oregon — Newly released video shows the wild police pursuit after a Portland man stole a Homeland Security vehicle from federal agents in April. Travis Grygla, 43, crashed the federal vehicle near Castle Rock, Washington after leading police on a chase that reached speeds near 120 mph.
Police dash and body camera video, along with court records help explain how the suspect stole a police car from federal agents, then led law enforcement on a nearly 60-mile chase. Law enforcement released the video in response to a public records request by KGW News.
On the morning of April 24, federal investigators served a search warrant on Grygla’s Southeast Portland home. The registered sex offender was suspected of possessing and sharing child pornography.
Federal agents did not handcuff Grygla, according to court documents. “Grygla had been left seated in the passenger seat of the police car with the window down and an officer standing outside the vehicle,” wrote U.S. Homeland Security Special Agent Clinton Lindly in an affidavit filed in federal court.
After learning federal investigators had discovered a hidden cell phone, Grygla said, “this is not going to go good for me,” according to the affidavit. He then locked the doors, slid into the driver’s seat and took off in the unmarked Homeland Security SUV.
Grygla led police on a chase from Portland through Southwest Washington. The pursuit along Interstate 5 reached speeds near 120 mph, according to police. The vehicle had two firearms and additional police gear in a lockbox.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Castle Rock Police, Kalama Police, and Woodland Police responded.
Police dash and body camera videos showed officers deploying spike strips several times, although Grygla appeared to evade them. Eventually, the front driver side tire deflated.
As Grygla tried to exit the freeway in Castle Rock, police used a pursuit tactic, causing the suspect to lose control of the vehicle. The Homeland Security SUV flipped on its roof.
Moments later, Grygla emerged from the wreckage and taken into custody. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant and federal child pornography charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned in July.
"HSI has procedures in place to ensure the safety of the public, as well as the suspects, when we encounter them," U.S. Homeland Security Investigations wrote in a statement to KGW. "HSI is reviewing this incident to ensure all relevant procedures were followed."