PRESS RELEASE

A24-7662

PURSUIT INVOLVING STOLEN LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE

APRIL 24, 2024

At about 0900 hours of April 24, 2024, Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Deputies received information about a stolen law enforcement vehicle that was headed Northbound on I-5, approaching Cowlitz County.  The vehicle had reportedly been stolen from a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent and was reported to have a firearm secured inside the vehicle.

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted by other local agencies, located the vehicle and attempted to stop it.  The suspect attempted to elude law enforcement officers while driving at speeds over 100 MPH and making erratic lane changes.  Deputies deployed spike strips at multiple locations and were eventually able to deflate one of the stolen vehicle’s tires. 

The suspect continued to drive Northbound after losing a tire and took exit 48 near Castle Rock. As the suspect continued to elude, a deputy utilized a Pursuit Intervention Technique to disable the vehicle. The suspect then rolled the vehicle on its top and was taken into custody without further incident.

Deputies were later advised by Homeland Security Investigations that the suspect, identified as Travis J. Grygla, age 41, of Portland had been placed under arrest by agents as they executed a search warrant at his Portland residence on this date.  Grygla had not been handcuffed and was seated in a Special Agent’s vehicle when he took control of the vehicle and fled from law enforcement, fleeing from Oregon until he was arrested near Castle Rock, Washington.

Grygla was returned to HSI custody.  The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office will be requesting a warrant for Travis Grygla on multiple charges regarding today’s incident.

Washington State Patrol, Castle Rock Police, Kalama Police, and Woodland Police Departments assisted with this incident.  Please refer questions regarding the initial contact and HSI investigation of suspect Travis Grygla to the Department of Homeland Security.

Troy Brightbill

Chief Criminal Deputy

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office