Providence Police Cite ATV Rider, Dirt Bike Rider and Motorcyclist

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Providence Police say they cited three ATV and dirt bike riders on Sunday.  Two of the riders were detained and transported to the police station, while the third was taken to the hospital for injuries.

Police say they received 17 calls regarding a large group of ATV and dirt bike riders on Sunday afternoon and evening.

Officers headed to the Speedway gas station on Smithfield Avenue after getting word that the group had gathered there around 7pm.

The police report states that an officer approached one dirt bike rider who had just gotten off his bike near a gas pump, while most of the rest of the group left.

Officers say that rider tried to get back on his bike, but the officer removed him from the bike, causing the bike to fall. That rider was detained and charged with operating a recreational vehicle upon a roadway and aiding and abetting a violation of the motor vehicle laws. He also received a display of plate summons. The report says the bike was registered, but the rider said the plate had fallen off recently.

The report says members of the larger group then began circling two of the officers and obstructing traffic on Silver Spring Street.  The report says there were approximately 50 riders in this group. Officers say they kept monitoring the group from a distance.

The report says an officer next found an ATV rider who had flipped his ATV at De Pinedo St and Argol St.  That rider was taken to the hospital for an injury to his wrist.  He was charged with illegal operation of an ATV on a roadway and was given an environmental summons for registration required.

After that, the police report states that an officer saw some riders doing circles and spinning their tires at Silver Spring Street and Charles Street. The report says one officer tried to stop a motorcycle rider on the sidewalk. That rider said they only drove up on the sidewalk to avoid hitting anyone. That rider was charged with operating a recreational vehicle upon a roadway and he received several citations, including improper use of evidence of registration and display of plates. This person said they were not with the rest of the group.

The police report also states that, while back at the Speedway, a man on a dirt bike broke the rear tail light of an officer’s patrol car and then sped off with the larger group. That person was not found.