A Portland man who had been arrested by federal agents stole their car and then led police on a chase into Cowlitz County until he crashed, causing the car to flip onto its roof, officials said.
Travis Grygla, 43, was arrested Wednesday morning, and Homeland Security Investigations agents put him in an agent’s car while they searched Grygla’s Portland home. They did not handcuff him, allowing Grygla to take control of the car and flee, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said.
The sheriff’s office did not say why federal agents had originally arrested Grygla Wednesday. Grygla has previously pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in state and federal court, most recently in 2008, court records show.
When Cowlitz County deputies were informed that Grygla was speeding their way, they also learned there was a gun in the car. Along with officers from several other agencies, Cowlitz deputies tried to stop Grygla, but he got away, driving over 100 miles per hour and rapidly changing lanes.
Deputies eventually managed to blow out one of the car’s tires after putting spike trips in multiple locations on his path. But the deflated tire didn’t stop Grygla, and he kept driving north on Interstate 5, then took exit 48, just south of Castle Rock. A deputy used a “pursuit intervention technique,” and the car rolled over on its top and Grygla was arrested again and handed back to Homeland Security Investigations.
It’s not clear if Grygla was injured in the crash.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said it will request a warrant for Grygla’s arrest related to his escape from custody Wednesday.
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