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The Springfield Police Department in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police conducted an operation during the week of March 7th to deter illegal dirt bike activity in the city of Springfield. In addition to quality of life concerns, recent calls for service involving illegal dirt bike riders have included victims having their vehicles maliciously damaged, being assaulted and in one incident being shot at.
The enforcement efforts under the direction of Springfield Police Captain David Martin, Springfield Police Lieutentant Brian Beliveau, Massachusetts State Police Major Mike Habel and Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Jon Provost resulted in the seizure of 20 off-highway vehicles and 17 arrests. Three of the dirt bikes recovered were previously reported stolen.
Massachusetts State Police photo.
Officers and Troopers utilized a variety of strategies including the use of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing to assist in locating and apprehending illegal dirt bike and ATV riders. It is illegal to operate an off-highway vehicle anywhere in the city of Springfield.
“Great team effort between our officers and the State Police. We noticed it was going to be a warm week and proactively wanted to get ahead of this issue to put a dent in some of this illegal dirt bike activity. This is not a one and done operation. We’ll be out there again, said Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with our partners in the Springfield Police Department to crack down on this illegal activity, which endangers those who live, work, and raise families in Springfield and negatively impacts their quality of life,” said Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “We look forward to continuing to help address this problem.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, “Great work by SPD and the Massachusetts State Police. I commend Commissioner Clapprood, Captain Martin, Lieutenant Beliveau, Massachusetts State Police Major Habel, Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Provost, and all of our brave and dedicated men and women in blue on their continued joint efforts to eradicate these illegal dirt bikes and ATV marauders on our city streets and neighborhoods.
Massachusetts State Police photo.
We will continue to cite, arrest, and confiscate these illegal vehicles. I again, ask parents of these young riders to intervene with their child, for their own health and safety, and help educate them on the appropriate places to ride and enjoy these vehicles. Our public streets are no place to ride these vehicles. It is illegal and you can get seriously injured or worse. We will continue enforcement in the name of public health, public safety, and for the quality of life for our residents and business community.”
Springfield Police Officers and Massachusetts State Troopers arrested 16 individuals in Springfield and one in Holyoke over the course of several days. Of those arrested, three were juveniles. The individuals arrested received various citations and the charges listed below for the adults.
20-year-old Edrick Santiago of Springfield is charged with:
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Negligent/Reckless Operation of a Snow/Recreational Vehicle
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class D Drug
• Default Warrant
22-year-old Jeylon Sims of Springfield is charged with:
• Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Uninsured Motor Vehicle
• Operating a Motor Vehicle in Violation of a License/Class
Massachusetts State Police photo.
21-year-old Orlando Olmeda of Springfield is charged with:
• Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Resisting Arrest
• Uninsured Motor Vehicle
• Failture to Produce Snow/Recreational Vehicle Registration
23-year-old Edwin Rivera-Cruz of Springfield is charged with:
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
• Number Plate Violation to Conceal ID
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of a Class A Drug
• Possession of a Class B Drug
25-year-old Mario Roldan of Springfield is charged with:
• Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Failure to Stop/Yield
• Failure to Stop for Police
21-year-old Charlie Flores of Springfield is charged with:
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Negligent/Reckless Operation of a Snow/Recreational Vehicle
33-year-old Raddy Nunez of Springfield is charged with:
• Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Unregistered Motor Vehicle
21-year-old Christain Mejias-Diaz of Springfield is charged with:
• Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
• Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Failure to Stop/Yield – Two Counts
• Uninsured Motor Vehicle
• Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle
37-year-old Jose Reyes of Holyoke is charged with:
• Snow/Recreational Vehicle Public Way Violation
33-year-old Rafael Perez of Holyoke is charged with:
• Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Failure to Stop/Yield – Three Counts
35-year-old Luis Marrero of Springfield is charged with:
• Failure to Produce Snow/Recreational Vehicle Registration
• Negligent/Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
28-year-old Luis Sanchez of Holyoke is charged with:
• Failure to Stop for Police
23-year-old Shakira Molinary of Springfield is charged with:
• Arrest Warrant
32-year-old Anthony Cortest of Springfield is charged with:
• Negligent/Reckless Operation of a Snow/Recreational Vehicle
• Failure to Stop for Police
• Resisting Arrest
• Default Warrant
***Attached are photos of several of the off-highway vehicles seized during this operation. The Massachusetts State Police Airwing participated in the operation. Edited footage captured by the Airwing:
