SOUTHBRIDGE — Police arrested a 19-year-old man and are seeking two other suspects following a high-speed dirt bike chase Friday that ended when one rider struck a police cruiser.
Jaden C. Tucker of 4 Cross Street was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and numerous other offenses.
Tucker was held on cash bail pending arraignment in Dudley District Court.
The incident began at approximately 2:04 p.m. when a traffic officer observed multiple people riding dirt bikes at high speeds on Charlton Street.
The officer noted the dirt bikes were spray painted, had missing fenders and no registration plates.
When the officer attempted to stop the riders, they fled into Charlton, leading to a pursuit that lasted several miles before the suspects turned onto a trail into woods inaccessible to officers.
Police later received reports that the suspects had returned to public streets, prompting a second chase during which one dirt bike operator struck a marked police cruiser.
The pursuit was terminated due to high speeds and public safety concerns.
Officers later located Tucker at an apartment on Cross Street and arrested him.
Police identified the two other operators but could not locate them.
The two remaining suspects will be summoned to Dudley District Court on similar charges including operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to stop for police and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
All three dirt bikes were recovered after being hidden in the woods.
The arrests followed months of increased patrols in the Charlton Street area after police received complaints through their anonymous tip line about dirt bikes creating quality of life issues for residents.
