BOSTON, MA — Boston police arrested three individuals and recovered nine stolen mopeds during a targeted enforcement operation in Dorchester on Wednesday evening.
Officers from District B-3 in Mattapan, the Auto Theft Unit and Youth Violence Strike Force conducted the operation at about 8:13 p.m. May 13 in the area of Kenberma Road.
The investigation stemmed from ongoing public safety concerns and quality of life issues regarding the use and storage of mopeds in the Dorchester area.
Officers observed an individual driving a moped leave a residence on Kenberma Road and return shortly after with two other individuals also operating mopeds.
Officers approached the residence and made contact with the three individuals as they entered the basement.
Inside the basement, officers observed several mopeds in various states of repair and detected an overwhelming odor of gasoline.
Officers located eight gasoline-fueled mopeds inside the basement and a ninth moped in the rear of the residence.
None of the mopeds were properly registered or stored, and all showed signs of being stolen with exposed wiring and damaged ignitions.
Eight mopeds were towed from the scene, while the ninth was allowed to remain on the premises.
Police arrested Kelvin Afonseca Varela, 18, of Jamaica Plain, Jayden Theodat, 18, of Roslindale, and a 16-year-old juvenile male of Dorchester.
All three suspects are expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.
The suspects were also issued Massachusetts Uniform Citations for violations of auto laws.
