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Girard man accused in high-speed chase

LIBERTY — A Girard man with an active domestic violence warrant is accused of nearly causing physical harm to two other drivers as Liberty police said he eluded them during a high-speed chase late Saturday.

Randy Weibel, 38, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer and obstructing official business, as well as his original warrant.

According to a police report, an officer noticed a vehicle at the Liberty Mini Mart on Belmont Avenue registered to Weibel, whom the officer was familiar with because he arrested him in August.

The officer noted he knew of Weibel’s active domestic violence warrant, which dispatch confirmed was still active, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop after he left the store around 10:45 p.m.

Weibel suddenly accelerated and began to flee from the officer, who was directly behind him, as another officer joined in pursuing Weibel westbound on Trumbull Avenue, according to the Liberty police report.

The report states that Weibel’s speed reached “more than” 100 mph, passing two vehicles traveling in the opposite direction at 75 to 80 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. The officer noted that the wet roads and “egregious and unsafe” speed caused a clear risk of physical harm to the vehicles and their passengers, the report states.

Weibel began pulling away from the officer at the Route 422 and State Street intersection in Girard. The officer noticed his own speed reaching 104 mph, leading him to estimate Weibel’s to be 100 to 110 mph as they entered Girard.

The officer received orders to end the pursuit but continued to watch Weibel’s vehicle, which nearly lost total control and almost crashed, the report states. Surrounding police agencies were immediately notified.

The officer returned to the police station to complete Weibel’s charges and issue a warrant. Because of the clear risk of harm, he said Weibel’s charges were upgraded. Weibel is set to appear back in court March 26, Girard Municipal Court records show.

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