A handheld device for incapacitating dangerous suspects without endangering nearby civilians. The user holds the handgrip which has a trigger connected to a source of thrust, such as an air cartridge. When the user pulls the trigger, the air cartridge is fired and extends a shaft outwards, which has an end piece at the other end for catching suspects. The end piece unfolds into a flat surface and has needles with retractable barbs attached to the flat surface. These retractable barbs engage the suspect and incapacitate him. A cam inside of the end piece can be operated to retract the barbs and release the suspect.