Generally, ex-cons toe the line, follow society’s rules to the letter and try and stay under the radar, at least until their risk of prison time is over. Parolee William Randall Meyer chose to stray from the straight and narrow, lay rubber and pull some massive doughnuts in a quiet suburban intersection instead.
According to testimony at a Solano County Court probable cause hearing on July 22, the convicted burglar was observed driving a black Ford Mustang convertible by Vacaville Police Officer Rod Neal back on the evening of April 21. With the top down and an electronic ankle monitor strapped to his ankle, Meyer, alone in the souped-up sports car, suddenly yanked the steering wheel and hit the accelerator. Noxious white smoke boiled out from the Mustang’s tires.
The Mustang Meyer was driving when arrested in April.
Officer Neal testified he slowly cruised toward the offender. Finally, twenty yards from the Mustang whirling in the intersection of Beelard Drive and Marshall Road, Neal switched on his patrol car’s siren and lights. Meyer made brief eye contact. But then he stopped going in circles and roared off.
With Officer Neal in hot pursuit, the chase reached upwards of 60 mph. At one point it appeared it was all over. Meyer slowed to a stop and raised both arms in the air. This was not surrender though, but rather a taunt. As Neal approached, Meyer sped off again. He was finally captured when he stopped in front of his own home on Beelard Drive. He was arrested for driving without a license, reckless driving on a public road, and evading with wanton disregard for public safety, and a parole hold. Records show previous arrests for disorderly conduct while under the influence, and driving without a license.
Meyer ended up pleading not guilty at the hearing. Judge Robert Fracchia ordered him to stand trial. He will return to court August 18 for arraignment on a charge of evading police. Meyer is currently free on $15,000 bail.
