Bikers elude cops

A Spotsylvania County man faces a felony charge after leading police on a motorcycle chase through Culpeper County Sunday afternoon.

And authorities are looking for two other motorcyclists who fled through a barricade.

Gabriel Francis Picard, 31, was charged with felony eluding and misdemeanor reckless driving after crashing his 2008 Kawasaki into a Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office patrol car.

Virginia State Police spokesman Les Tyler said Trooper Benjamin Hobbs noticed three northbound motorcycles traveling at a “high rate of speed” on U.S. 29 near the Madison County line around 2 p.m.

Minutes later, a sheriff’s deputy blocked the Route 3 exit with his car; two motorcycles veered around the rear of the car, but the third crashed into its front.

Picard was treated and released from Culpeper Regional Hospital.

Law enforcement officers are still on the lookout for the other two motorcycles, and Tyler said the case is under investigation.

Approximate monetary damages included: the Kawasaki ($3,000), a State Police vehicle ($5,000) and the deputy’s patrol car ($3,000).

Got a tip?
If you have any information about the two motorcyclists who eluded police Sunday on U.S. 29,  call Virginia State Police Sgt. Mike Woodard at 727-3355.