Jury finds man guilty of evading an officer

A Solano County Superior Court jury has found a man guilty of evading a police officer after the defendant refused to yield during a traffic stop in Vacaville, leading to a 30mile chase that ended in American Canyon in Napa County.

According to a Solano County District Attorney’s Office press release issued late Thursday, the jurors reached their verdict against Americo Mendoza on Dec. 3 in Department 11 in the Justice Center in Fairfield.

Court records indicate that on Aug. 29, Vacaville police officers Chris Hill and DanielBaxley were dispatched to a reckless driving incident in Vacaville. The vehicle involved was described as a black Toyota RAV- 4, and, arriving on scene, the officers found the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

However, Mendoza apparently refused to yield and led the officers on a 33mile pursuit that ended in American Canyon, in southern Napa County.

During the pursuit, Mendoza reportedly drove recklessly, not stopping for numerous stop signs and speeding at more than 100 mph, his actions leading to a felony charge.

Napa police officers assisted with traffic enforcement and ultimately Mendoza was apprehended and taken into custody. A small child also was found unharmed in the rear seat of the RAV- 4.

Hill and Baxley investigated the case, and Deputy District Attorney Sun Seo led the prosecution.

Mendoza remains in Solano County Jail and is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 4 in Department 11, Judge William J. Pendergast’s courtroom.