WATCH: 100s Of Dirt Bike, ATV Riders Swarm East Haven, 1 Charged

East Haven CT

19 July, 2021

3:30 PM

Description

EAST HAVEN, CT —One teen was arrested after more than 100 dirt bike, motorcycle and ATV riders staged an illegal large-scale ride in East Haven Sunday, police said. Just before 5 p.m., police were called to the area of Frontage Road and Saltonstall Parkway for a report of a large group of dirt bikes / ATV's operating recklessly, East Haven police Capt. Joseph Murgo said. He noted that 911 callers said the group was driving recklessly including "performing stunts (like) wheelies and blocking roadways." When cops got there, he said the riders were "completely disregarding pedestrian and vehicular traffic," and "surrounded and blocked police cruisers while weaving in and out of traffic performing wheelies." Meanwhile, one rider on a "red quad positioned himself in front of a police cruiser, intentionally blocking the officer," Murgo said. "As the ATV operator taunted the police officer, an individual operating a scooter struck the rear of the quad in front of him and fell off the scooter. The operator of the scooter was later determined to be a juvenile. The juvenile operator was taken into custody while trying to get back on to his scooter." The juvenile, who will not be identified due to his age, police said, was charged with reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with police, operating without a license and operating while on a phone. He was taken to the East Haven Police Department for processing, issued a court date of July 26 and then released to the custody of a parent. Murgo said that the incident remains under investigation as police "are actively attempting to identify operators involved." Anyone with information regarding the identity of any operators involved in Sunday's incident is urged to contact the East Haven Police Department at 203-468-3820, Murgo said.