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Samantha Hayes reporting Several police departments chased a former Public Enemy Number one through city streets Wednesday night. A car crash ended the pursuit.
Chris Knoles/Witness: "We just watched him race towards the center of town and said, man he's headed right for the police precinct, this guy doesn't have a chance. And sure enough, the cops are just coming out of the woodwork."
Officers arrested Charles Cushing. But, it's certainly not the first time. He was Public Enemy Number One just a month ago.
Cushing was out on the streets again. Police say he was trying to break into cars in Taylorsville.
From Taylorsville to downtown Salt Lake City near 8th south and 3rd East, police chased the man for 20 minutes, with speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
The suspect had a scanner in his SUV. Police say it was difficult to catch him because he knew their every move.
Chris Knoles/Witness: "You could tell something was up because he kept, he'd go a couple of blocks, flip a u-turn, and you'd see the chase come right back at you, and then turn down some other street."
Police did not want Charles Cushing to get away again, because Cushing is wanted for a lot more than a traffic violation. He has 3 warrants out for his arrest including drug possession, car burglary and assault. The Metro Gang Unit says in addition to those warrants, he is also suspected in an assault on an officer.
Dan Moriarty/Taylorsville Police Dept.: "He is a person we've dealt with in the past. We knew he had felony paper out on him, felony warrants."
Police chased him from Taylorsville through West Valley and into Salt Lake City.
Chris Knoles/Witness: "It was crazy to see chase go for as long as it did through the downtown area."
Police say the chase slowed to about 20 miles per hour when Cushing hit this truck.
Dan Moriarty/Taylorsville Police Dept.:"He went through the red light and basically broadsided the truck."
Two people inside the truck were taken to the hospital. Cushing was arrested.
Chris Knoles/Witness: "He was face down in the snow with a couple of officers on him. He didn't have a chance."
A woman in the car with Cushing was taken to the hospital. Police are examining several items in his car they believe may have been stolen.
Cushing has been charged with trying to flee from officers.
Police have not said what connection he has to the woman who was in the car with him.
