SPRINGFIELD, MA — Members of the Springfield Police Department working an Off-Highway Vehicle enforcement detail seized two mopeds, one dirt bike and one quad on Saturday.
Springfield Police Officers conduct these details to deter the illegal riding of dirt bikes and other off-highway vehicles.
These vehicles are illegal on any city street and have led to serious injuries and death to numerous riders.
Some riders are also known to drive recklessly, putting pedestrians and other vehicular traffic in danger.
Around 1:15 p.m. Saturday, officers working an anti-OHV detail observed a moped on Springfield Street.
The passenger was not wearing a helmet, and the driver ran a stop sign.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the 16-year-old male rider refused to stop, running stop signs and red lights to evade police.
Officers located the moped near the intersection of Carew Street and Chestnut Street and conducted a traffic stop.
The moped was seized and the 16-year-old male rider will be issued a criminal summons.
Around 2:30 p.m., officers working this detail observed a moped rider on Andrew Street.
The moped was unregistered and uninsured.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on Waltham Street, but the rider attempted to ride away on the sidewalk.
Officers were able to detain the rider, later identified as Jose Sanchez.
During a search of Sanchez, officers recovered crack-cocaine.
The moped was seized and Sanchez was placed under arrest.
Jose Sanchez, 58, of Springfield is charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without a license, resisting arrest and possession of a Class B drug.
Around 5:15 p.m., officers working this detail observed an electric dirt bike on Dickinson Street.
Once the rider stopped, officers approached and seized the dirt bike.
The 19-year-old male rider will be issued a criminal summons.
Around 6 p.m., officers observed a female riding a quad in the area of Oakland Street and Orange Street.
Officers conducted a traffic stop.
The quad was seized and the 23-year-old female rider will be issued a criminal summons.
