Bond was set at $5,000 Thursday for a man who is accused of slashing several vehicle tires, fleeing police on a bicycle and striking a police cruiser with his bicycle.
Michael Taylor, 33, made his first appearance Thursday in 35th Judicial District Court, two days after El Dorado police arrested him for first-degree criminal mischief and fleeing on foot.
Taylor was still being held in lieu of a $5,000, cash or corporate surety bond Thursday night in the Union County Jail.
Officers responded just after 11 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a male, later identified as Taylor, slashing tires on vehicles in the area of Jefferson and Cedar.
Taylor was reportedly riding a bicycle.
The complainant said he confronted Taylor, who fled, and chased Taylor to the area of Jefferson and Oak.
Witnesses told police they saw Taylor near Peach Street and he appeared to be cutting tires on a parking lot in the area.
Officers said they spotted Taylor behind a building in the 300 block of Jefferson and when they identified themselves, Taylor began pushing his bicycle and walking away from them.
Police said Taylor then got on his bicycle and rode away, heading north. Officers noted that Taylor was carrying what appeared to be a black knife in his right hand at the time.
An officer who responded to the scene later said he spotted Taylor riding east on Peach and pulled alongside him.
The officer said Taylor ignored several commands to stop and proceeded north on Jackson Avenue.
According to a police report, the officer accelerated and turned into a parking lot at the intersection of Jackson and Faulkner, with Taylor heading toward the police cruiser.
The officer said he parked, and as he prepared to exit the vehicle, Taylor smashed into the passenger side of the cruiser.
After exiting his vehicle, the officer said he drew his Taser, noting that Taylor ignored commands to get on the ground.
Taylor removed his backpack and eventually sat on a concrete block, police said.
When asked why he fled from police, Taylor reportedly responded, “Because I’m an outlaw.”
Other officers arrived on the scene and Taylor was taken into custody without further incident.
Police said tires were slashed on three vehicles that were parked near an abandoned car wash in the area of Jefferson and Oak.
A bloody knife lay on the ground beside one of the vehicles, police said. A police report did not indicate if officers thought the knife belonged to Taylor.
A total of five vehicles were reportedly damaged in the area of Jefferson and Peach.
Police said three of the vehicles belong to Murphy USA.
During his first appearance hearing, Taylor was issued a daily curfew of 5 p.m. until 7 a.m.
He was determined indigent and will be assigned a public defender.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.