A man with eight prior felony convictions and six open felony cases across three Minnesota counties is behind bars again after leading deputies on a dirt bike chase that ended in a crash in Vadnais Heights.
Cole Anthony Meadows, 24, of Mora, is charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle in Ramsey County. The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, a Ramsey County deputy was on patrol on Highway 96 in Shoreview around 5:25 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, when he came upon an off-road dirt bike traveling on the right shoulder at a high rate of speed. The bike had two people on it and no license plate.
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The deputy activated his emergency lights near McMenemy Street on Highway 96 in Vadnais Heights. Meadows, who was driving, looked back over his shoulder and moved toward the shoulder but did not stop. He accelerated and drove recklessly through moderate traffic, the complaint states.
The deputy terminated the pursuit out of safety concerns but continued following at a distance. Other deputies monitored Meadows as he drove north on Centerville Road. Near the entrance to an apartment complex, Meadows tried to pass another vehicle and collided with a 2021 Toyota Camry, according to court records.
Meadows and his passenger were both thrown from the dirt bike. The Toyota's airbags deployed and its driver reported possible injuries including whiplash and hearing issues. Both Meadows and his passenger were taken to the hospital. Meadows declined to give a statement.
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Court records show Meadows has eight prior felony convictions, including three for fleeing police in a motor vehicle, two DANCO violations, financial transaction card fraud, terroristic threats and theft of a motor vehicle.
He committed this offense while facing charges in six separate pending felony cases across three counties. In Washington County, he has two open cases involving felony DANCO violations and threats of violence. In Anoka County, he has three open cases for felony domestic assault, domestic assault by strangulation, receiving stolen property and burglary. In Clay County, he faces charges for possession of a firearm by an ineligible person, receiving stolen property and fleeing police.
Meadows remained in custody on an order of detention as of publication.
