Police body cam captures 100 mph chase with fleeing felon

(West Valley City Police Department)


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WEST VALLEY CITY — Footage from a police body camera captured a West Jordan man with an extensive criminal history fleeing police and then being arrested Wednesday after allegedly hitting a Unified police officer with his car.

Tyrel Elsworth Cox, 31, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of attempted aggravated murder, fleeing and reckless driving.

Just before 8:30 p.m., Cox was seen leaving a house near 3100 South and 3200 West that West Valley police had been watching, said police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku. Cox had several warrants out for his arrest and was wanted by Adult Probation and Parole for being a fugitive, she said.

Because of Cox's history of fleeing from police, a helicopter from the Utah Highway Patrol was called to assist officers. As seen in the video, when Cox realized he was being followed, he went west on 3500 South until he reached 5600 West, then went north to state Route 201, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, Vainuku said.

When he reached that 2100 South freeway, the West Valley officers on the ground called off their chase but had the helicopter continue to monitor his location, she said. A Unified police officer was able to successfully spike the vehicle's tires on SR-201 near the Bangerter Highway.

Just past Bangerter, Cox veered toward a second officer setting up tire spikes and hit him, Vainuku said, adding that others who witnessed the incident said it appeared as though Cox intentionally drove to the shoulder of the road to hit the officer.

The officer, a 12-year veteran whose name was not immediately released, was taken to a local hospital. His condition was later upgraded to fair condition. The officer was released Thursday and is reportedly resting at home with some tissue damage to his lower right leg.

Police say Cox continued on the freeway, exited at 3200 West, then went south on 2700 West. About 10 minutes after the initial chase began, near 3600 South and 2700 West, a Unified police officer performed a PIT maneuver on Cox's vehicle, causing it to spin out and become disabled. He was then taken into custody without further incident.


"Mr. Cox has shown little conscience or concern for other citizens and has put officers and the public at risk on several occasions. Mr. Cox is a habitual offender and should be considered a danger to society."

A warrant was issued for Cox's arrest on July 20 after he was charged in 3rd District Court with felony fleeing and drug-related crimes for an incident that happened in May, according to court records.

In 2014, Cox was convicted of unlawful acquisition of a bank card, a third-degree felony, and placed on probation. However, an arrest warrant was issued on July 1 for probation violation, according to court records, after Adult Probation and Parole officers learned of the chase in May.

In June, Cox was arrested by police after they found him in possession of a stolen car and methamphetamine, according to a report by AP&P. In its report, the agency noted, "Mr. Cox's performance on probation can only be described as poor. During his first attempt on probation he was charged with 15 new offenses which resulted in six convictions.

"Mr. Cox has shown little conscience or concern for other citizens and has put officers and the public at risk on several occasions," the report states. "Mr. Cox is a habitual offender and should be considered a danger to society."

Cox's extensive criminal history in Utah dates back to at least 2001 in adult court, according to court records, and includes convictions for forgery, attempted theft by receiving stolen property and fleeing.

In 2009, Cox was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for convictions of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was later sentenced to another year in federal prison for violating the terms of his supervised released in 2012, according to court records.

Contributing: Nicole Vowell

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