Off-highway vehicle enforcement leads to arrests in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, MA — Two men were arrested Saturday during a police detail targeting illegal off-highway vehicle activity in the city.

At approximately 1:25 p.m., officers observed an individual popping wheelies and riding a dirt bike recklessly in the area of Eastern Avenue and Union Street.

The rider, later identified as Jerson De La Rosa-Jimenez, parked the dirt bike on the 400 block of Belmont Avenue, where officers approached him.

While the dirt bike was street legal, De La Rosa-Jimenez did not have a motorcycle license and was placed under arrest.

The dirt bike was seized.

At approximately 2:40 p.m., officers responded to the area of Randall Place after receiving numerous complaints about illegal off-highway vehicle activity.

Officers observed a suspect, later identified as Scott Roberts, riding a quad on Randall Place without a helmet.

Roberts rode into the woods before returning to Randall Place, where officers located him.

Roberts did not have a license and was placed under arrest.

The quad was seized.

De La Rosa-Jimenez, 30, of Springfield, is charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Roberts, 61, of Springfield, is charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, snow/recreational vehicle on a public way and motor vehicle equipment violation.