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Sandra Yi ReportingA convicted felon once named 'Public Enemy Number One' is back behind bars after leading police on a high-speed chase. The man has a long criminal history. He was arrested back in November; a month later, he was out on the streets again.
Charles Cushing is no stranger to the Salt Lake County Jail. He's been in and out of here before. Police hope, this time, he's in for a while.
In September, the Salt Lake Area Gang Project named Charles Bryan Cushing, along with two other men, 'Public Enemy Number One'.
Voice of Sgt. Saul Bailey: "We try to find the guys that pose the most serious threat at that time to our community."
Gang officers say, at the time, Cushing was running with a member of a violent street gang and dealing methamphetamine.
Sgt. Saul Bailey: "It was suspected that he was actively involved with illegal narcotics, on top of his criminal history of forgery, burglary, theft."
Police caught up to Cushing in November. He was arrested on warrants for drugs, weapons charges and assault. Court records show Cushing posted a five-thousand dollar bail on one of his charges. Different judges ordered pretrial releases a month later.
It appears Cushing used that opportunity to run from the law.
Sgt. Saul Bailey: "We realize these things happen. Is it frustrating a times? Maybe just a little, but realize we have a job to do, and if we need to go out and re-arrest these individuals, then we will."
Cushing's run from the law came to a screeching halt last night after a 20 minute high-speed chase through city streets. Police say Cushing was in Taylorsville, trying to break into cars. The chase ended when Cushing slammed his car into a truck, injuring two people.
Chris Knoles, Witness: "He was face down in the snow with a couple of officers on him. He didn't have a chance."
Cushing was arrested on warrants. He was also booked for running from police. No bail has been set.
