Boston Police arrest 18 people and confiscate 30 dirt bikes, ORVs, mopeds, scooters

In an ongoing effort to address community complaints and quality of life concerns relative to off-road vehicles including dirt bikes, mopeds and motor scooters being driven around the city in a reckless and irresponsible manner, members of the BPD’s Auto Theft Unit assisted by units from various districts throughout the city recently arrested 18 individuals and confiscated 30 off road vehicles.

At about 11:30 AM on Friday, May 8, 2020, officers assigned to the B-3 (Mattapan) Auto Investigations Unit responded to a radio call to assist another unit with a traffic stop of a motorized dirt bike in the area of 842 Morton Street in Dorchester. On arrival, officers observed an individual operating the dirt bike in the parking lot of a gas station in the area before parking it on the sidewalk. Officers conducted a query of the dirt bike, which was later determined to be a Yamaha RT off-road motorcycle, and discovered it to be unregistered with the Massachusetts Environmental Police. The dirt bike was confiscated and the operator was issued a Massachusetts Uniform Citation.

At about 7:45 PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, officers assigned to the Auto Theft Unit made an onsite arrest and recovered illegal dirt bikes in the area of 52 Hecla Street in Dorchester. While on patrol in the area of Park Street in Dorchester, officers observed two individuals operating dirt bikes without their helmets. Officers further observed the individuals going through red lights, weaving in and out of traffic, and traveling on the wrong side of the road all while operating at a speed greater than reasonable. Officers observed multiple vehicles move out of the way due to the operators’ unpredictable movements. The operators were observed lifting the front wheel of the dirt bikes and weaving from side to side on Adams Street before quickly turning onto Hecla Street where they brought the dirt bikes to the rear of a residence on the street. One of the males hurriedly entered the residence while officers were able to take the second male into custody. The other male was identified and issued a citation. Officers impounded the two dirt bikes as well as a moped which were located in the rear of the residence on Hecla Street.

Officers arrested a 26-year-old male of Mattapan who was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Operating a Recreational Vehicle to Endanger, Unlicensed Operation, Operating a Recreational Vehicle on Public Property, Helmet Violation, Negligent and Reckless Operation of a Recreational Vehicle, Speeding, Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and Marked Lane Violation.

At about 5:30 PM on Thursday, May 14, 2020, officers assigned to the Auto Theft Unit made an onsite arrest and recovered an illegal dirt bike in the area of Magazine Street and Dudley Street in Roxbury. While on patrol in the area of Massachusetts Ave and Norfolk Street in Roxbury, officers observed two individuals standing next to a yellow dirt bike in the parking lot of the U-Haul at the above intersection. One of the males entered a white SUV and the second male exited the lot on the dirt bike alongside the white SUV, travelling on Mass Ave. The operator of the dirt bike, who was not wearing a helmet, stopped in the area of Magazine Street and Dudley Street where officers quickly exited their cruisers and approached. The operator of the dirt bike was issued a summons to appear in Roxbury District Court on charges of Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Unregistered Motor Vehicle on a Public Way, Helmet Violation, and Operating a Recreational Vehicle on a Public Way. The dirt bike was confiscated and towed from the scene. While officers were speaking with the operator of the dirt bike a white SUV approached. A query led to the discovery that the operator had an active straight warrant out of Wrentham District Court for Receiving Stolen Property, Identity Fraud, Larceny Over $1200, Uttering a False Check. The 29-year-old male of Jamaica Plain was taken into custody.

At about 7:49 PM on Friday, May 15, 2020, officers assigned to the B-3 (Mattapan) Auto Investigations Unit responded to a radio call to assist another unit with a vehicle investigation in the area of 8 Elwyn Road in Dorchester. On arrival, officers observed a male in the rear of the aforementioned location revving the engine of a yellow dirt bike. The male fled the residence as officers continued their investigation, locating the yellow dirt bike, as well as two additional dirt bikes and a moped from the rear of the residence. All four of the recreational vehicles were towed from the scene.

Community members with information relative to the storage of these recreational vehicles who wish to assist in these investigations anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to assist this investigation in an anonymous manner.