Police Chase Fugitive; Driver Held Hostage

Police Chase Fugitive; Driver Held Hostage


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Ashley Hayes Reporting A man is in jail this afternoon, facing charges of aggravated kidnapping and drug possession.

This after he leads police from several law enforcement agencies on a high speed chase. Taylorsville Police say the fugitive wasn't alone-- he was holding the driver hostage.

The suspect's name is Eugene Carter, and he's wanted on two felony burglary and theft charges.

Police Chase Fugitive; Driver Held Hostage

Authorities say they tracked Carter to West Valley.

Sgt. Vaughn Allen, Taylorsville City Police: "He knows he's on the run. He knows he's wanted. Information from informants in the past week indicate he's been armed with a handgun in his waistband and that he was not going back to jail. So we considered him armed and dangerous."

Carter fled from police with another man and a woman driver. They sped through Murray, South Salt Lake, and Salt Lake County.

Police say Carter threatened the woman driver with a gun just a few days ago, and say she was being held hostage in the chase.

Police Chase Fugitive; Driver Held Hostage

She told police Carter threatened to kill her if she pulled the car over.

Sgt Vaughn Allen, Taylorsville City Police: "The female driver was under duress by an armed fugitive. We assumed against her will. It ends up he had been actively threatening her if she pulled the car over she was dead."

Police pulled the car over by spinning it with one of their own patrol cars.

The chase continued when Carter ran from police. They tasered him twice to make the arrest.

The passenger, Dan Wettstein, was also wanted on felony burglary charges. Wettstein is now booked in the Salt Lake County Jail.

Police say they are relieved to have these men off the street.

Sgt Vaughn Allen, Taylorsville City Police: "We considered him armed and dangerous...it showed tonight."

They found drugs in the car, but no weapons. Police say it was fortunate no one was hurt during the chase and arrests.

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